Need help deciding what preamp to go with my setup


Hey guys I have a pair of Polk Audio RTI A7s running a Yamaha PC2002M power amplifier. I am at the next stage of getting a preamp but I have a few models that I’m really interested could you guys give me some advice if you have used these preamps before or come across them and would they go well with my speakers and power amp. I am finally getting rid of the denon receiver and looking to a preamp. I have included the specs of each model I am interested in the reason why I have made this list is because they are all within my price range. I just want to know which would be the best suited and perform really well with the equipment I have.

cheers

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/akai/pr-a06.shtml  AKAI PRA06

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/denon/dap-5500.shtml  

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/ps-audio-gcp-200.html

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/yamaha/cx-2.shtml




daoki
daoki
Your Yamaha PC2002M only needs 0.77v input for full 240w out!!!!. Most sources today are more than 2v!!! The last thing you need is even more preamp gain as well..
And your Polk Audio RTI A7 are nearly 90db efficient!!!


You need a preamp with little or no gain, otherwise your volume control will be a 8am for very loud already.

For preamps I suggest a very nice low gain preamp that will let you decided on the fly between passive, tube or solid state output flavors. And it has every extra you could need.
The Schiit Freya, at $699 it’s a bargain, and you can send it back.
It has become a huge hit with many, and hated by some that are in competition to it, or love million dollar looks.
http://www.schiit.com/products/freya

Or you should really try this before buying a preamp, "no preamp" for the most transparent/dynamic sound for $0. Your Yamaha has very good Black Beauty Alps input pots (even better than Alps Blue Velvet), you should try your source direct into the poweramp and use these Black Beauty volume pots for controlling your volume.
And if you like it, I'm sure you will, but need more inputs just get an input switch box.
http://www.goldpt.com/sw4.html


Cheers George


The Akai? Why bother? Hashy transistor sound.
The Denon... hmmm, much the same. It's digital.
The PS Audio - Why? It’s balanced, relatively expensive...
The Yamaha - suits the rig you’ve got and you can defeat all the sound effect tone controls.
Frankly, I think you’re on the wrong track looking at old solid state amps.
Only because it’s yamaha as well ? Or do u guys performance wise it’s best for the setup compared to the other preamps ?