NAD C165 vs Parasound 2100 vs Emotiva USP-1

I have no problem with value priced hardware. My concern is more that I have seem feedback from several sources that the emotiva USP-1 is bright. I only care about the sound quality and build quality.

Any comments on those factors?

james lipski, you reinforce every stereotype (pun secondarily intended) of a blowhard fauxdiophile. You must be so proud.

I am proud to arouse the wit and wisdom of someone on your level....

I've been using the Emotiva USP-1 & XDA-1 with a McCormack DNA-1 and Hales Revelation 3 loudspeakers. Cables are Analysis Plus Oval Nine, Lat AC-2mkII, and Discovery Essence. This setup really allows this fantastic little preamp show it's stuff. The phono stage in the USP-1 is very good compared to the many outboard phono stages that I've heard. Using it allows me to take a pair of interconnects and another power supply out of the mix. I use it with a modded Systemdek IIX 900, Incognito wired RB-250, and Ortofon M20fl with really excellent results. Also, the Wadia 170i sounds amazing with this setup, very impressive sound. This is definitely a preamp that I could live with for awhile, without getting the itch to upgrade. Heck, one would have to spend alot more $$ to better it. If I had to pick out something bad about the USP-1? When controlling the volume with the remote, the volume goes up or down in rather large increments. Could be much smoother. I occasionally have to get up and adjust the volume control manually to get the sound just right. This is picky, because the price is low and the sound is big, beautiful, and extremely lifelike to my ears. To sum up, I think the USP-1 is one of the great audio bargains of my time. No, I'm not affiliated with Emotiva Audio in anyway.

I have been researching pre-amps myself in this price range(under 1000) and have looked into these models. The Parasound P3 is now discontinued. I've read the impressions of several owners that were underwhelmed with it. The 2100 was apparently an attempt to get the sound of the P7 at a lower price. It seems to be fairly well received with the one caveat that the phono section is entry level, for those needing a good one.

The Emotiva USP-1 is good for the price, but concerns on this one is the brighter sound. If you have warmer speakers it might be fine, but then the volume control is odd. Small turns of the knob seem to give larger than usual increases, and owners have mentioned this. An entry level price, so compromises are made.

The one I'm most interested in is the NAD C165 BEE. It has a better phono section with unique options, better specs and Class A circuitry. Not as much feedback online yet, I think it's newer. I asked an online dealer what he'd recommend(he carries several brands including NAD and Parasound) and for SQ he recommended the NAD. Not sure if he has sales quota to meet, but he seemed genuine.

I'll update when I made the upgrade. Right now I have a Parasound A21, Oppo 95 connected directly to the amp, and Paradigm Signature S6.