2. amps-preamps
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Help finding used SS with unity gain, $1K - $1.5K

I'm looking for suggestions on something nice in a SS preamp in the listed price range. It must have a unity gain output and a good phono stage; also, dual outputs to the power amp are desired, but not critical. Same for remote.

To help in the recommendations, I am currently using a Bedini 866 into an 803 amp. For those of you who are not familiar with this preamp, it gives me a natural, but not warm or soft, musical reproduction, with great extension in the high end, a fine natural midrange, and very good low end. It does not project a tremendously wide soundstage (in that regard I think it could be better), but does have good depth. It produces a very good sense of space around the instruments or voices... produces a very good "the music is in the room" quality without being forward or etched. Detail retrieval is very good (but maybe not great).

What I'm looking for is a used preamp with the desired qualities, that has a similar musical character - but hopefully can better it to some degree. I do not want a tube preamp. While I love what many tube preamps can do, one thing I do not want to do is get into the endless maze of tube rolling. Picking interconnects is bad enough! I'm looking for a natural sound with clarity and extension in both the upper and lower end, but not to a point of being the sort of neutral that quickly translates into "cool" and uninvolving.

Oh, I also will be keeping my Bedini amp, so anyone who knows of a match to it with a great used preamp is welcome to join in!
tonyptony
tonyptony OP
500 posts
 
Well, I'm trying to integrate my 2 channel high end gear so that I can use it in the same room as my MC rig. I had posted some other threads about this, but the bottom line is that I am now living in a house that does not allow me to support these rigs in separate rooms. And the price I'm paying is that I find I'm listening to my 2 channel setup less and less. I've read a number of posts here explaining that with preamp that has a unity gain input I can run the main Left and Right channel outs from my MC prepro through my preamp without having to worry about setting the volume control and hoping that the MC levels are going to be right (the Bedini does not have a stepped volume control).

I do realize that I will be paying a different kind of price in placing my high end speakers in a room with a video setup between them (they would become my main L/R), but I have to try.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I can understand that, I too have one room for my HT/stereo rig. It can be very constraining. I only mentioned the Classe, because I've used it before and it has all the features you were looking, in your price range. Now, if your going to start picking about sonic qualities....... I'm just kidding.
I don't know of any other SS preamp with phono stage and SSP unity gain in that price range.
Maybe you need to look for an integrated amp, something like a Jeff Rowland Concentra II w/phono?
Just food for thought. Good luck.

John
steakster
720 posts
 
At one time, I shared your concerns about a tube preamp. When I figured out that 5k hours of burn time equaled many years, I went for it. I got a great set (3) of reasonably priced tubes and have been very satisfied ever since. My Kora Eclipse has HT pass-thru along with a phono stage. They show up now and then in your price range.
tonyptony OP
500 posts
 
John, and integrated might not be a bad idea. I could use the on board channels to power the rears. Thanks for that suggestion.

Steakster, do you not feel the need to go into that tube rolling circus? I have a couple of friends with tube preamps and / or amps, and it seems they spend a lot of their time like Indiana Jones, searching for some magical NOS or used tube from 40 years ago to bring out the best in their gear. I fear I would fall into the same camp, although I will readily admit to loving the sound of a great, clean, tube preamp. Not a CJ style sound of old, but more like a Quicksilver.
steakster
720 posts
 
Tube rolling, like all the other tweaks, depends upon your will power and your wallet. Yet, trying these tweaks are part of the fun of this hobby. And let's face it, every system and every room is different. I can't deny that I tried just a few other tubes which I shortly re-sold at little or no loss. I still use the first set which I purchased from RAM Labs.
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