2. amps-preamps
  3. 169301-141906

Preamp advice- getting up to speed

Hello,
Looking to match a preamp/receiver to my vintage components.
Mainly listening to 60’s on up rock, progressive rock, pop, occasional classical pieces, classic jazz, bluegrass.

Luxman M-117 amp
ADS 1290 speakers
Oppo CD/DVD player
B&O Beogram turntable

The turntable will likely not be part of the setup. It will remain in another room with a Pioneer SX850 receiver, ADS 520’s, pinball machines and a lava lamp. So mostly streaming and CD’s once in a while. The M-117 is replacing a Denon PMA 900v.
I’ve been going down the rabbit hole on this one. Originally thinking a vintage piece. Yamaha C or CX series, Adcom, NAD, but lately thinking of a newer one.
It would have the benefit of 21st century features- streamer, DAC, Tuner, remote control, bluetooth, etc.
Perhaps a Marantz NR 2100 or something similar? Would a tube preamp with a separate DAC be a possibility?

I am not up to speed on newer components and how they do or don’t work with older pieces.
Don’t want to spend a fortune, but realize I have to invest a bit.

Any advice is much appreciated.Thanks
theyesman

Showing 1 response by drbond

drbond
396 posts
 
One important element about pre-amplifiers that I recently learned about in an Audiogon forum discussion was that you need to be careful to look at the input sensitivity of the amplifier that you are driving with the pre-amplifier.  So, if your amplifier has an input sensitivity of 0.5V, then you should make sure your pre-amplifier supplies an output voltage of at least 0.5V.  If your amplifier's input sensitivity is 3V, then you'll need a pre-amplifier with an output voltage of at least 3V.  I think it may even be preferable to have a much higher output signal in the pre-amplifier that the input sensitivity of your amplifier, but I don't know what the ideal is.  

That's just one initial screening tool.  Then, as far as brands go, I suppose you just need to try some out. . . 
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