2. amps-preamps
  3. 1059992140

Value of inexpensive linestage preamps?

Hi,

After a brief period away from "hi-end audio" I have started building a system again. Because of budget constraints I am having to do it one piece at a time. I recently got a good deal on a Conrad Johnson Premier 11A. Unfortunatly I don't have a proper preamp and won't be able to afford one for a while. I am currently using my hometheater receiver (Denon 5800) in "direct" mode as my preamp, the sound is not terrible. My question is, would one of the small, simple $300.00 to $400.00 tube preamps be worth spending my money on while saving for something better? Would the improvement over the Denon be worth the expence?

Emilio
emiliop

Showing 3 responses by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I don't have any experience with DIY, but you might consider a used c-j PV10 or PV11L. They show up here pretty often. (My PV11 will probably show up here next year, but you probably don't want to wait that long!)

Either of these would give you a significant boost vs. the Denon. I've had mine since 1991 and it never fails to satisfy.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
"With used, you still have your few hundred dollars, just in preamp form." LOL, but true. If it doesn't satisfy you you can probably sell for pretty nearly what you paid.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Gunbei said, "Even an inexpensive tube preamp will probably increase the level of refinement of your system over the Denon."

Elevick said, "A [Denon] 5800 is pretty nice. It would take a quality pre-amp to out-perform it."

Guess what? They're both right! A quality tube preamp will outperform a Denon 5800 (or any other multi-channel pre) and it can be inexpensive if bought here used!
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