2 Channel Pre/Amp question

[Sr SQ]

Hey guys I know this is a HT forum and all but figured many here would know so...
I just picked up a old BGW 250 2 channel amp and need a preamp for it but don't know what to look for?
Its going to run a pair of DIY home built speakers in my garage and mainly just play from a tuner (I already have the speakers and tuner) but wondered about the different things I need to look for?
The old amp was made in 1976 and has 1/4" inputs but I have a cable that goes from the 1/4" to regular RCAs.
Any recommendations, I don't want to spend more than I need to but also think this amp is of reasonable quality so would like to match it to a similar caliber preamp. I haven't been able to find out much info on this old beast but thought it looks to be a pretty good piece.
TIA
SR

 

[jamie2112]

You could look on audiogon.com as there are always older preamps for sale there. I would recommend ebay as well. There are plenty of good values on preamps on ebay. You could get something for under 100 bucks that would do you well in the garage. I am sure even an old receiver would work as long as it has pre outs. Best of luck to you..

 

[MDS]

I am sure even an old receiver would work as long as it has pre outs.

That's what I would suggest. Receivers work very well as pre-amps if they have pre-outs and often offer far more features at a lower price than a dedicated pre-pro. It's the garage...and you'll be playing the radio; I personally wouldn't want to put a whole lot of money into it.

 

[jamie2112]

Ok I take that back. You can buy a pretty nice $20 preamp on ebay right now. There are plenty of great pre's for less than 30 bucks with shipping. Thats a really good bet.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hey guys I know this is a HT forum and all but figured many here would know so...
I just picked up a old BGW 250 2 channel amp and need a preamp for it but don't know what to look for?
Its going to run a pair of DIY home built speakers in my garage and mainly just play from a tuner (I already have the speakers and tuner) but wondered about the different things I need to look for?
The old amp was made in 1976 and has 1/4" inputs but I have a cable that goes from the 1/4" to regular RCAs.
Any recommendations, I don't want to spend more than I need to but also think this amp is of reasonable quality so would like to match it to a similar caliber preamp. I haven't been able to find out much info on this old beast but thought it looks to be a pretty good piece.
TIA
SR

Those BGW amps may be 1976, but they are as good as the best now. Fantastic build quality. I used to specify those for big commercial installations. They were much better than the Crown DC 300 A and much more expensive!

That seems a real waste of a good amp for a garage system. It needs pairing with a good preamp, something like a Quad 44.

 

[Sr SQ]

Thanks guys
Jamie/MDS~ I have been looking at ebay and local CL and have not seen anything very cheap perhaps I am looking for the wrong thing?
I have looked at a few receivers and none had a preout section?

TLS guy~ You make "garage system" sound dirty LOL
I figured it was a pretty good amp from looking (lifting )at it and its manual has its birth sheet still in it and it says it will run at some pretty low impedances so I thought for $100 it would work great for my big speakers in the garage. I didn't figure a preamp would be to tough to find?
I will look around for one of the Quad units you recommended and have seen a Adcom unit with a tuner built in that might sell for reasonable.
Anyone else have any suggestions