Dorm Room Amp/Preamp

Make sure you can part with it whatever you get. I say this because I lost almost 150 CDs in college living in the fraternity house due to theft (yes, your own frat brothers WILL steal from you!). Your college years are when you really begin to learn what people are made of and unfortunately many are made of crap. If it ain't bolted down, it can walk. I write this not to deter you from getting quality gear, but to warn you of the real possibility of what can happen.

Pepe

NAD, good enough for the dorm. Good enough for a second system anywhere. Use the money you don't spend on hardware on music and/or live performances.

I have used some small AV123 monitors and older floorstanding DYnaudios 70s. Its difficult to say how it would sound until you are there in the room but it still has so many appealing qualities for her situation. I have never owned Rega but the reputation is good. The Decco turns digital into vinyl. That may be appealing. But, then you have the cost of a phono stage and interconnects. The Rega is small and has a phono but you would have to add a DAC. Decisions....decisions.... But, isn't it nice to have a child who appreciates music and music reproduction? Something to share with them....Life is good!

Tgrisham - yes, vinyl. Both my girls are very much into it. This one (the younger) is an voice (opera) major in college, and many great old performances never made it to digital media.

The Decco looks pretty good, but the phono stage on the Brio is also appealing. What speakersare you using with your Decco?

Vinyl? Obi Wan, you have taught her well.....

For my money, in my rooms with my speakers, I didn't like the NAD. I thought the sound was too sterile and clinical, but had great dynamics and drive. It might depend on the music she likes. I haven't tried the Cambridge but have read that their flavor is more like tubes. I can't vouch for that though. I like my Decco and it is almost future=proof. Plenty of drive and dynamics. I thought the high end was a little soft, but maybe it is my speakers. So versatile and very pretty. It is impressive to look at, the remote is a plus, plenty of inputs but you would have to add a phono. Have some fun with it!

I recently purchased a Nuforce Icon system for one of my daughters dorm... er, residence hall rooms. The sound was fine - just not enough of it. With the volume knob cranked all the way up it was still not loud enough. Sadly, it got returned.

I am also looking at a Peachtree Decco. Hard to locate used, but if the newer Nova is any indication it should be a killer integrated amp/DAC combo.

If that doen't pan out i will probably look at a used Rega Brio. The girl spins vinyl, so the excellent phono stage is a plus. I just need to pair up a good, inexpensive USB DAC and we are off to the races.

Excuse me. They are no longer called 'dorm rooms'. The preferred term now is 'residence hall room.'

Yeah thanks a lot for your responses guys. I've been leaning towards Peachtree Audio Decco looks gorgeous and has all the features I need but I haven't really heard much about them. But I've also heard a lot about Music Hall's offerings. Anybody have firsthand experience with them?

Winsome Labs' Mouse-30/45W and musical.Small chassis.Been very impressed with mine driving full-range monitors.Alps Blue-Velvet volume is recommended.

Agree with Jaybo about the Peachtree Decco. Tubed preamp, amp and Scott Nixon-designed DAC with USB input in a nice package. Also works well as a DAC/preamp for an external power amp if you want to experiment with tubes later on.

used Cayin, tubes. Will drive anything you fit in a dorm room. Of course, the tubes will be cool, cool, cool. Enjoy

peachtree or keep some of the money and get a harman kardon 3475 (which is a steal).

look at a used tube integrated amp like jolida.

Take a look at the KingRex T20U over here. Might be fine in a dorm room.