Help with Pre Amp Selection

[ozz316]

My dad called me today and told me his Carver pre amp died on him and wanted some suggestions on what good brands are out there for Pre Amps. I am more of a receiver guy so didn't really know what to tell him. He doesn't really need anything fancy, he still has an older tube television and I don't think he plans on upgrading anytime soon. He is more interested in sound quality. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[yettitheman]

Older Rotels? I kinda have a fancy for them old ones.
The RC-1070 is a pretty nice one. I forgot if those are the ones you can find all day on E-bay for $99. Oh well.

 

[Lordoftherings]

What is the Carver preamp model that he owns?

I figure that it is a two-channel stereo preamp?

And yes, the Rotel RC-1070 is a great stereo preamp.

Bob

 

[ozz316]

What is the Carver preamp model that he owns?

I figure that it is a two-channel stereo preamp?

And yes, the Rotel RC-1070 is a great stereo preamp.

Bob

I'm not sure which Carver preamp it is, but I'm sure it was a 5.1 surround preamp. I doubt he will buy anything used, that just isn't him. He believes in buying quality new equipment and keeping it for a long time. He still has his Mcintosh equipment he bought in the 70s and it is in immaculate condition. I was looking at Denon and Marantz equipment, but it looks like there offerings are a little pricey and probably has more than what he is looking for.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I'm not sure which Carver preamp it is, but I'm sure it was a 5.1 surround preamp. I doubt he will buy anything used, that just isn't him. He believes in buying quality new equipment and keeping it for a long time. He still has his Mcintosh equipment he bought in the 70s and it is in immaculate condition. I was looking at Denon and Marantz equipment, but it looks like there offerings are a little pricey and probably has more than what he is looking for.

Well, I'm not so sure that it is a 5.1 surround preamp. But then I don't know the model. Does he have a phone?
Does he have at least 5 speakers in his room? You know like two speakers behind him or at his sides, and a center channel?
Do you visit your Dad sometimes?

In the 70s, Surround Sound was not invented yet.

Mmm...Marantz and Denon too pricey. OK, about Onkyo PR-SC885P? Refurb it's only $699. Brand new, about $1,000 or so, maybe more.

Bob

 

[ozz316]

Well, I'm not so sure that it is a 5.1 surround preamp. But then I don't know the model. Does he have a phone?
Does he have at least 5 speakers in his room? You know like two speakers behind him or at his sides, and a center channel?
Do you visit your Dad sometimes?

In the 70s, Surround Sound was not invented yet.

Mmm...Marantz and Denon too pricey. OK, about Onkyo PR-SC885P? Refurb it's only $699. Brand new, about $1,000 or so, maybe more.

Bob

Sorry, I was typing and watching my 1 year old at the same time so I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I live in KC and he lives in Detroit. When he called me I was in the middle of a motorcycle ride so I didn't get as much information as I should have. I tried calling him this morning but he must be out, so I will get more information later.

It has been awhile since I visited my parents, but he bought the setup he is running about 10 years ago with the Carver amp and preamp, and five Klipsch speakers and sub. I'm not sure what price range he is in, but from the 2 offerings that Marantz and Denon have on their website I don't think he wants to drop $7000, but I could be wrong. I know he doesn't need anything with HDMI, since none of his equipment accepts it and I don't think he is looking to upgrade anytime soon. I know his main concern is sound quality and reliability.

The only reason I mentioned the Mcintosh equipment was to give a frame of reference on what he buys and how he cares for it...

I wasn't aware that Onkyo made a preamp. I didn't see it on their website. Thanks for the information. I have found recently that manufacturers websites don't always give the best information. Marantz only shows one preamp model for $2800 and Denon for $7500. The only reason I mention these is that these are brands I am aware of, but preamp manufactures seem to be more varied than recievers.

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

[bandphan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/McIntosh-C28-preamplifier-beautiful-condition_W0QQitemZ330327357453QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce90b780d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1546|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

I know you said no used but if he has Mac this for 599 is a great preamp

 

[jamie2112]

One of my fav's: http://bryston.com/preampsel.html

 

[Lordoftherings]

OK, Ozz316,

Here's some info on two beauties (audio wise, video wise and value wise, plus much more). Your Dad will have to get an update with the new technology.

And no wonder that you could not find the Onkyo PR-SC885P, it is on the Onkyo PRO web site.
But let's go with the more recent model, shall we, the Onkyo PR-SC886P.
That Surround processor MSRP is $2,100, but you can get it for quite less.
Click here -> http://www.onkyopro.com/model.cfm?m=PR-SC886P&class=Preamplifier&p=i

Also there is the Integra DHC-9.9, which is petty much the exact same thing than the 886, but with a different facial, and few different internal features, but still remains the exact same thing as the 886 at about + 2%. So the 886 is 98% of the 9.9 or just about. And the stange thing is that the DHC-9.9 MSRP is $1,800.
Click here -> http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DHC-9.9&class=Separates&p=i

Just check all thee features, specs, photos, some reviews (you can Google these models for reviews). And you will find more reviews of last year models, which are quite similar to this year, but this year nodels are even better.
Last year models are the Onkyo PR-SC885P and the Integra DTC-9.8.
For a review of the DTC-9.8, click here -> http://www.hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/508integra/

Oh, and if I mentioned these two models (886 & 9.9), it's because they are that good, and they are affordable for your Dad. These are the ones that I will personally purchased over the Marantz AV8003, but then your Dad might like that 8003 (you can get it for about $1,200 or so, right now and brand new). So, this is a third option. For a review of the Marantz AV8003,
click here -> http://www.ultimateavmag.com/amplifiers/808mar/
And here -> http://hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/1008mar/

And as for the Denon AVP-A1HDCI, with a MSRP of $7,500, it is quite more expensive than my already recommended trio.

Have some good reading,

Bob

 

[ozz316]

Ok, so I finally got to talk to him tonight and relayed the information you guys gave me. I went to their websites and found the dealers and there are 3 av dealers within 6 blocks of each other that carry the equipment mentioned plus others such as Rotel. Just another question, he wants to make sure it has inputs for his Marantz record player and reel to reel deck. He still has alot of old records he loves to listen to. I was not aware of it, but he said that his Pre Amp had special inputs that increased the signal from this equipment. Do any of these pre amps have this capability that you are aware of?

Thanks

Ok... I found that the integra says it has a phono input so that is good. The Marantz does not say and I don't know what to look for, so I guess the better question is if it doesn't say specificaly phono input what input do I need to look for?

 

[AVRat]

The Marantz AV8003 does not have a phono input but that could be solved with an inexpensive phono pre-amp.

 

[ozz316]

Wow learn something new everyday, didn't know that a phono preamp existed. Thank you for the info. So if it specifically doesn't say phono input then it doesn't have it?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Wow learn something new everyday, didn't know that a phono preamp existed. Thank you for the info. So if it specifically doesn't say phono input then it doesn't have it?

The Previous Onkyo pre/pro (and Integra) models that I mentioned to you all have an excellent phono preamp section using excellent parts for that section.
I know, that's why I went with Onkyo as one of my main reason.
I got four turntables.

Most of Marantz products now omit that important feature.

Now, ask your Dad if his turntable is using an MM or MC cartridge.
MM = Moving Magnet type cartridge.
MC = Moving Coil type cartridge.
The Onkyos/Integras are for use with the MM type cartridge.
But if your Dad turntable is using an MC type cartridge, you can get an MC head amp or MC transformer.

Or simply ask him to give you the model # and brand of his turntable, plus the type of cartridge he is using.

And you're right, if it doesn't say specifically "Phono input", it just doesn't have it. Or just look at the back of pre/pro that you are interested in for that Phono input (from the web site of ditto manufacturers from their pictures).

Say Hi to Dad,

Bob