2. amps-preamps
  3. 185222-161121

Budget preamp with quality volume control

Dear Audiogoners,

I used to be a firm believer that the signal path should be as short as possible and, as such, I have been using the two-channel system without a dedicated preamp. For a long period of time, I have relied on the digital attenuator in DAC for volume control, knowing the digital attenuator would compress the dynamic range of the sound. Therefore, I switch the volume control on DAC to the fixed mode, bypass the digital attenuation and use the unity gain knob in the back of the power amp for volume control. Depending on the music recording level, however, sometimes I need to turn the unity gain control way down to get proper sound level. This is particularly painful when I use the full-balance connection because of the double voltage gain.

In short, I am looking for a budgetary preamp with quality volume control that either has relay switch stepped control or precise potentiometer for left-right channel match to curb the issue. I try to summarize important (to me) performance catgories as best I can for various good sounding preamp I know (with or without headphone amp/dac) as shown below. It is found the Schiit Magnius happens to have the highest performance ratio. However, I am pretty sure that I likely miss other good performers due to my limited knowledge and would like to solicit for your inputs. Your kind assistance is appreciated.

 

lanx0003
tyray's avatar
tyray
562 posts
 

Yes, $700 is fair used. You would probably just have to update the firmware through a USB download. Make sure the seller has the original box, packing materials and manual so if you wanted to sell it at a later date.

With mine I don't intend to keep it as Wyred 4 Sound let's you trade in or should I say trade up when bought directly from them. I agree with you that the dac is the weakest link, but it's built like a tank with shielding and other positives and at the time I just needed a reliable head unit on the cheap and usually in those circumstances the dac is what it is.

Even though I have thousands of cd's and hundreds of 'albums', as I said in an earlier post I am a crate digging needle dropper and I mostly use my turntable and can always upgrade and invest in a separate dac at a later date since I already own a cd transport. And that's exactly why Wyred 4 Sound made the mPRE the way it is cause it is essentially a head unit/pre amp 'starter kit'.

will3
54 posts
 

Late to the party; Schiit Freya+ here as well. Initial money saved on a comparable pre will get you into upgraded dac, (if wanted) ect. Season with NOS tubes of your choice whenever upgraditis hits; as opposed to spending 4K on a newer,"better" pre.

realgoodsound
43 posts
 

You want a good preamp? Find yourself an Apt Holman that's been recapped. Has the stepped precise volume control you want. Yes, it's 40 years old but there are few better "budget" preamps on earth.

retiredfarmer's avatar
retiredfarmer
339 posts
 

I would agree with above find an older badboy. It will mop the floor with a new cheap  one. I would personally  look for an Ayre k1xe  or k3 or a canary 800 pair. The old classe Dr series would be great a threshold  fet 10e etc get yourself  a top pf the line older unit.

lanx0003 OP
676 posts
 

The classic Adcom gfp 750 and Apt Holman recapped can still be found at a affordable price but Ayre k1x or Threshold Fet 10e would cost over $2k.  They must be the crown jewels top of the line back then.  Thanks for the recommendations.

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