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Counterpoint SA3000 Any Good ?

I am looking for a Pre amp with a phono stage in it.
I have read a few good things about this pre but am looking for some feedback from users that either have or have had this pre-amp
I would appreciate any info I could get. I do know that the company is out of business but can still be supported if needed.

Other recommendations on a pre-amp with a phono stage will also be appreciated.
Thanks.
btstrg
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
It is a very good preamp with a good phono stage. It is a hybrid, however I prefer the all-tube predecessor, the 3.1.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I second all of the above replies. The SA3000 was a pretty decent unit, but a SA5000 or a SA-5.1 would beat it pretty easily, IMHO. Mostly due to the tube rectification in the power supply. Tube gain stages are nice, but a tube regulated power supply makes a big difference.
FWIW, both the 3.1 and the 3000 had transistorized power supplies.

Cheers,
John
deskducker's avatar
deskducker
6 posts
 
Being an SA3000 owner, I can state that it DOES have a tube regulated power supply. Not sure of rectification. These preamps have a tube quality with good bass.
usblues
1,216 posts
 
Desk,does the black box on the umbilical have a tube in it?Thanks,Bob
mepearson
100 posts
 
Lots of misinformation here. The SA-3000 has a tube rectifier but no tube regulation in the power supply. The SA-3.1 has a S/S power supply. The best preamp out of the entire Counterpoint line-up is the SA-5.1. It smokes the SA-5000.
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