2. amps-preamps
  3. 1399550003

Care to recommend a preamp?

I am looking for my next preamp (likely used) - must be all tube and come with a top notch phono section as vinyl is my source of choice. Ideally it would also have a remote. I plan to spend somewhere in the $2k-$3.5k and am currently considering a Supratek Chenin, and a Cary SLP-98, though perhaps I would consider Thor or McIntosh. Currently, I pair a Conrad Johnson PV-5 with a CJ 2200 SS power amp. My tt is an old Oracle with a Dynavector high output MC and I occasionally play tapes using a Revox A-77. Speakers are Maggies with an Infinity SW.

Anyone care to weigh in with suggestions?
Thanks.
jmarki

Showing 1 response by lewinskih01

lewinskih01
910 posts
 
I can't offer much as my pre is a Lamm LL2, wonderful but without phono section. At the time I was shopping for a preamp, though, I was considering McIntosh C220, and I thought the Lamm outperformed it by a wide margin soundwise even with a Mc tube amp (I own). Mc is higher in the list regarding ergonomics, but lower on sound quality, I think.

The situation might be similar with some other recommendations you are getting. CAT, Atmasphere, Joule, Hovland likely focus on sound more than ergonomics. My final 2 were the Lamm and First Sound Presence, but that one doesn't have a phono section either.
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