2. amps-preamps
  3. 130769-84789

Preamp w/ a budget of $2000

Hi All, 

I'm looking to replace my NAD preamp. It is now the weak link in my system. I would like to keep the budget to 2K or less. Requirements: Pre out or sub out, MM phono section, and a remote.

Associated equipment:
Amps: Anthem MCA 20, Red Dragon M-100 monoblocks
Sources: Bluesound node 2, TV, ProJect Debut Carbon
Speaker(s): I do a lot of switching out- Spatial Audio M3 Turbo S, Gallo 3.1 reference, MMGs, Green Mountain Audio Continuum I, DIY Nola Brio Trio Clones
Subs: Paradigm Monitor Sub 12" x2, REL T-7 x 2
Cables: Anticable IC's throughout, Anticable Speaker wire, Audio Magic Speaker cable

I am a detail freak and tend to like my sound towards the more clinical side of things. Of course imaging, soundstage depth/width, and image focus are important. I listen to a lot of Jazz and recently a fair bit of electronic as well. 

Any and all advice or direction would be appreciated. 

Best- Ben
birdfan

Showing 2 responses by schubert

schubert
7,386 posts
 
To be exact would leave you 473$ before shipping, 772$ without remote .
To me the SS Vision , same price, sounds better, but that’s just me .
If you have a tube amp, I know it does.
Frank is the master of the op-amp and knows what he is about .
As the "factory" (they are handmade) is in MN no problems there.
Only one of the 6 items I’ve bought from him ever needed service
and that was my fault .
I use an Eastern-Elelectric Avant 8 tube pre in winter, a known gaint-killer and it sounds just a tad better , just in soundstage really, cost 2x the AVA and costs as much just to re-tube .
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I have a Bryston BP6 too, it is what mofojo says.
Bought it on here about 5 years ago for $1200 bucks, use in bedroom system, has nice headphone amp as well.

I also have a Van Alstine Vision pre , all Class A , that sells for  $899
new without remote . Bught new last year .Can be had with superb Van Alstine phono pre for extra $329 , 299$ for remote (I don't like remotes myself.)
It sounds more musical than the BP6 and has an even better headphone amp. Drives  my Senn 650's like a champ which is not easy to do.
BP6 is a tad more quite perhaps but that's about it . AVA is best buy on market and sounds great !  Oh, and it has a built in gain-control (low, high) which is very useful to match up with an amp or speaker .
More to discover