Looking for new (used) preamp

[brad1138]

I recently replaced my PS Audio 4.6 preamp & Yamaha RX-V995 (used as preamp) with a Lexicon DC-2. The surround sound is better then the 995. When I compare it against my PS Audio 4.6, which I used for stereo listening, the DC-2 has better bass, cleaner highs, better imaging and detail, but it is also cold and a little harsh, I find myself missing the warmth of the PS Audio, especially for vocals. (The PS Audio 4.6 was a StereoPhile reference preamp in its day)

When I was first setting up the DC-2 I ran it's record outs to my PS Audio to compare the DC-2s DACs against the SoundStream DAC-1 I had been using. The DC-2 sounded much better. I could try to use the PS Audio with the DC-2 similar to the way I did when I ran it with the 995, but that is a bit complicated for the rest of the Fam to figure out and the PS Audio is old and has some issues.

I would like to find a warmer preamp, possibly tube, that has HT pass-through. It would also need a built in DAC or I would need to buy one of those also. I want to get an OPPO BDP 83SE which has an excellent DAC, but that is down the road, and I want to wait for the model w/3D enabled.

I will be looking for used, on Ebay/CL/AudioGon. It is hard to give a price range, under $1000 anyway, hopefully a lot less. I see some highly rated Rotel preamps going for $200-$400, that range would be better, but I think I may want better than Rotel. What Ideas do you have?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Seth=L]

I'm not super familiar with what is out there in terms of tube preamps, but you might look into that. Keep the Lexicon, for surround sound, and tight controlled bass when you want it. Use the tube preamp (perhaps in in conjunction with the Lexicon) when you want to soften your music and give it that lush "tube sound".

 

[brad1138]

I'm not super familiar with what is out there in terms of tube preamps, but you might look into that. Keep the Lexicon, for surround sound, and tight controlled bass when you want it. Use the tube preamp (perhaps in in conjunction with the Lexicon) when you want to soften your music and give it that lush "tube sound".

It doesn't necessarily need to be tube, just looking to get the warmth back I had with the PS Audio. I am looking for a 2 chan preamp, with HT passthrough and a good built in DAC. I can get a separate DAC if needed or just use the OPPO when I get it. I am looking for one that will be at least the quality level of the PS Audio. I only paid ~$150 for that over 10 years ago and it has worked well for me, but it is lacking as I outlined above and has other issues.

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Seth=L]

You know my stance on a majority of solid state electronics though. It's possible the PS Audio was intentionally designed to color the sound by rounding off the top end. Not having any specific experience with PS Audio I can not say if they do or not.

I only suggest tube preamps because they are most often colored to have a warmer sound.

Your best bet is to just start trying some stuff out.

 

[jostenmeat]

Brad, you should be able to find an Odyssey Candela within your budget. I started a thread a long time ago about tube pres with HT bypass, and even b pape agreed with this rec, saying it still has the clarity of SS, but with the warmth of tubes. This was years ago, and he said he heard it several times on several systems, and that he always likes it.

Then there are many others that get well past the price point, like products from Anthem, Cary, BAT, Rogue Audio, etc. It's the last one, Rogue, that you may be able to land within your budget. I'd probably just go for the Candela.

edit: found some more recs, a few may slightly break budget as used:
Citation 7.0
VTL 5.5
Adcom GFP-750
Classe CP-50
Classe CP-60
Classe CP-65
Rogue Perseus
Sonic Frontiers Line-2
Krell KCR-3


The key is that you find one with unity gain, that works while off, so as not to imbue its own signature during HT.