Best pre-amp (under $2000)?

[starcraftbw]

I am a newbie in audio world. I'd like to know what is the best 2-channel pre-amp for music only? I tried to search and read for days but I can't find it. I am sure all experts in here will be able to lead me to the right direction.

Thanks in advance,

PS: i just bought a marantz MM9360 power amp (6-channels + bridgable)... I can convert it to 3 channels. I also had Marantz receiver (SR-19) bought it used for 5.1 set up. Please help the noob

 

[mike c]

music only, is that 2 channel music?

Rotel RC1090
Parasound P3

use the rest of the money to add to your speaker budget

 

[starcraftbw]

music only, is that 2 channel music?

Rotel RC1090
Parasound P3

use the rest of the money to add to your speaker budget

cool, I'll read about these and make my choice.

thanks

 

[mike c]

there's a cheaper model of the rotel RC1070 - I think it's half the price (around 500bucks over here)

others would also suggest getting a decent AV receiver to act as your pre-amp. e.g. Yamaha Rx-v659, Rx-v2600, Rx-v2700 depending on your budget.
this will let you upgrade to a surround setup in the future.

 

[highfihoney]

You can get a whole lot better model preamp from buying used gear instead of new,go to audiogon & look in preamps.

http://www.audiogon.com/

Here is a link to an excellent & flexible 2 channel preamp,ive used c-38's alot over the years & their performance is hard to beat & in a 2 channel preamp its flexibility is even harder to beat,the c-38 has 3 amplifier outputs so in the future if you wish to add more amps & speakers or a processor its easy to do.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1171243930

This preamp has a flaw in the glass face but a new face can be bought direct from mcintosh labs for about $150,ive done business with this guy before,his name is george & he has quality stuff.

 

[Rob Babcock]

The three preamps that most intrigue me right now are the Modwright SW9SE , the Bat vk 3i and the Van Alstine Ultra EC or Transcendence 8. All are tubed or tube/ss hybrid and all are readily available new or used under $2k. I suppose many of you will ridicule me for my sentimental affection for tubes, but so long as they're used correctly tubed gear can be superb.

 

[Rob Babcock]

BTW, plan on doing some real reading and research. For a budget of $2,000 you can get something truly outstanding- the sky is the limit at that price point!

 

[starcraftbw]

very good advices..... I'll do some reading today to see which of those fit best for my system. thanks guys..... i'll keep up the update. happy noob

 

[twitch54]

For under two grand my vote goes to Audio Research, you could by a new LS-16 for that money, with proessor out for your H/T set-up

 

[dd24skater]

the Bat vk 3i

 

[mike c]

is that 2k ONLY on the preamp or does that include the amp?
and 2 channel only right?

 

[starcraftbw]

^^^i bought a power amp already..... 2 channel preamp.....

 

[mike c]

ok then, 2k budget ... the sky is the limit! (up to 2000 dollars)

I wonder how much those classe preamps are ... why dont you check it out, I never bothered asking, because classe is way off my budget

 

[wire]

ok then, 2k budget ... the sky is the limit! (up to 2000 dollars)

I wonder how much those classe preamps are ... why dont you check it out, I never bothered asking, because classe is way off my budget

Agreed
Man there are alot of choices of great equipment at that price range .
Ill add Sunfire Pre to the mix .

 

[starcraftbw]

the list:

Mcintosh C-38
Mcintosh C-41
Mcintosh C-45

Bat VK V3i

Krell krc-3

Mark levinson 38

Meridian G-02


hard to pick one.... i am leaning toward the Mcintosh... any suggestion?

 

[wire]

the list:

Mcintosh C-38
Mcintosh C-41
Mcintosh C-45

Bat VK V3i

Krell krc-3

Mark levinson 38

Meridian G-02


hard to pick one.... i am leaning toward the Mcintosh... any suggestion?

Nope
Looks like a pretty fine list , someone else here would have better input than me .