Need a Preamp Recommendation

What kind of music do you enjoy? What is the range of your budget? What kind of sound improvements do you expect to get?

Do you need a phono section for analog?

Check a passive preamp if possible (Axiom, Monolithic, etc..), otherwise a used Adcom or Rotel will do,considering you are not into vinyl..... yet!.

Fernando

If you're on a budget, a passive preamp is a serious option if you run shortish interconnects and your source and poweramp match. Passives, if made right, are transparent. So, they may change your previous sound, depending on whether and how your previous preamp colors the sound. If your previous preamp is hiding some flaws in your other components, the change may be for worse. But don't blame the passive for that!

Look into Odyssey's new passive preamp (ca. $350, but it's not on their US website yet; Google "Odyssey Etesian" and call Odyssey) or a used FT Audio Little Wonder (hard to come by used, though). Demos of Creek OBH-12 can be had cheap (ca. $250); the new OBH-22 is a bit more expensive (ca. $450).

Also search the AudiogoN amp/preamp forum; I remember reading older threads recommending good preamps, passive and active, of older vintage that can be had cheap used.

How many sources do you have? If you only intend to use one source...and if your choice is digital, then a CD player with volume control would allow you to do direct to your amp and result in potentially better sound since you'd be eliminating a step in the signal chain. Audio Aero Capitole and APL HiFi Denon 3910 are two options for CD players with built-in volume control. Otherwise, consider an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A ($1100-$1300 used) or a Stello DP200 ($1995 new).