2. amps-preamps
  3. 156625-89928

Preamp with Phono $3-5k range

I know this has been posted many times before but why not add another one to the list.

I'm looking for a new Preamp with a Phono stage or possibly separate Pre and Phono. I'd like to not limit myself to future upgrades throughout my system as well. I'd like the ability to use a MC cart in the future and maybe step up to Balanced I/Cs too.

My current system is as follows:

Sources:
  • Clearaudio Concept w/Concept MM Cart
  • Oppo 105
  • McIntosh MR7084 Tuner

Preamp:

  • Parasound Halo P5

Aplifier:

  • Carver TFM-35x fully refurbished and upgraded

Speakers:

  • Wilson Audio Watt Puppy 8

Everything in my system I like but I know my Pre is the weak link and it's time for an upgrade. I've not listened to anything better in my system and I'm open to suggestions across both SS and Tube platforms.

Some other things to point out is I'm already using high quality Audioquest I/Cs, Power Cords, Speaker Cables and don't want to change those right now.

dustin_collman

Showing 1 response by sandthemall

sandthemall
544 posts
 
I never knew how good my Carver TFM-35 sounded until I got a Don Sachs tube preamp. Lots of detail and texture. They sound really good together. And you can build the Don Sachs to match the input impedance of the Carver.

I use a Project RS phone amp ($1000) with an outboard power supply I ordered from eBay ($200) to replace the Project wall wart. This phono preamp can also be ordered with a super quiet Project battery power supply (that recharges itself through a wall wart but uses battery when operating)...but it was a $700. This is a dual mono preamp so the settings are adjusted for left and right channels. It sounds pretty transparent.














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