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Battle of affordable pre-amps: Rotel vs Parasound

Which would sound better, Rotel RC 1550 or Parasound P3? System is 2-channel, pair of Quad 22L2s powered by a 200wpc Rotel RB-1080. Room is small, 12x10x8, and acoustical foam will be applied to front and back walls. Floor is carpeted. I mostly listen to CDs, although I do keep up a lossless music library for my iPod. We can talk DACs later! Musical preference ranges from Frank Sinatra to Beethoven to electronica/IDM, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, and Bowie. I don't have a decent CD player yet, but you can assume Rotel RCC-1055 or Music Hall 25.2 or Cambridge Audio 550. Your thoughts are appreciated, thanks.
realremo

Showing 2 responses by lewinskih01

lewinskih01
911 posts
 
Have you had this system for a while and now want to upgrade pre, or are you starting from scratch?

I ask because I understand the Quads are supposed to be very resolving, and I used to have Rotel RB1080 + RC1070 pre with B&W speakers and when upgraded to B&W 804S (more resolving) I ended up upgrading amp as it sounded brittle. Just a thought there.

I would shoot for a used tubed pre, if I were you...but then I have moved to tubes for all my amplification. The proposed VTL would be nice.
If you want to stay with SS, then Rotel would be a logical choice. The RC1090, also suggested, would be nice. The RC1070 is also nice for the price, very silent.

If you believe you will continue to upgrade over time, then I wouldn't get fixated on any given brand. Also, having a local shop is nice, but so far I have never needed service on my units...

My two cents
lewinskih01
911 posts
 
Realremo,

I guess I've been lucky. I would probably behave the same as you if I had had your same experience.
I also need to upgrade slowly over the years, so I know we want to take time and think through our upgrades.

Let me suggest you try the RB1080 and Quads before you decide on a preamp. You might find the 1080 to be too edgy with the Quads (like I did with the B&W) and might decide to spend less on a preamp and to upgrade to an amp that better matches the Quads. Rotel RC1070 is cheap and good for such a case. I had it with my McIntosh MC275 amp and was good.

Get the amp+speaker combo right. Otherwise you'll be looking for a preamp to compensate whatever that combo doesn't do right...not the best approach in my view.

I hope this helps, even if I'm kind of throwing you in a different direction.
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