2. amps-preamps
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Pre-amp opinions: SAE vs. Hafler

I've recently decided to upgrade to separates from my nad 7240pe receiver. For sources i'm using a denon changer and pioneer ct-f500 tape deck. I plan on upgrading the cd source eventually and picking up a tuner and tt (probably an AR xa or xb) once the funds are available. For a power amp i debated between a hafler dh-200 and sae 2200. Ended up with the sae which i should be picking up next week in good condition. My question now is about a pre-amp. I'm looking at a hafler dh-110 or sae mark ixb. Any opinions? i'm very new to audiogon and the high fidelity quest, which can be hard on a student's budget. However i'm looking for good clarity and accurate bass from my polk rt-5 speakers. Any info is appreciated. Thanks
ces04848
rrog
1,958 posts
 
If you bought the SAE amplifier then buy the SAE preamp. There will be no question about the two working properly together. Matching brands always takes the guess work out of whether or not two components will sound right together. Many folks will debate this theory, but I have mixed and matched components countless times. When matching brands between amps and preamps there is a rightness to the sound every time.
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somec59
245 posts
 
I like my Halfer pre-amp. A great bargain in the $150.00 range. Lots of information on the web
heyraz
177 posts
 
Keep looking. First I had an SAE, it got noisy so I got a Hafler. The Hafler was musical yes, but nothing special. It was nicer than the SAE but not very reliable. If you looked under the hood, it would be apparent. It's a stepping stone in my opinion. Acurus makes a sweet preamp (L10) which can be had used for less than $300 on ebay that will blow away both the Hafler and Sae, and it's extremely well built, very apparent under the hood. Built to last. It lacks a phono stage however, but you shouldn't rule it out based on that. If you get the Acurus, I don't think you'll get the upgrade bug so fast. I have a friend that started out with a free Hafler (part of a package deal) that developed a channel volume mismatch problem. No big deal to fix, and I offered. Instead, he picked up an Acurus and now won't even bother to waste his time on the Hafler.
ces04848 OP
6 posts
 
Thanks for all the recommendations. Made an offer on the SAE but didn't end up getting it. Decided to bite the bullet and picked up the Hafler for $125 shipped. I'll reply to the sound once everything is received and hooked up. My denon just recently decided to develop a pop and some static so looks like i'll be searching for a new digital source sooner rather than later. Looking at a Marantz PMD320 or potentially an NAD 512 i can pick up locally for around $50. Marantz is going for $60 shipped on ebay, any opinions? Only good part about the changer dying is getting some quality time with my cassettes, all five of them haha
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