2. amps-preamps
  3. 1357313224

can I get your input on a inexpensive pre-amp

Could I please get some input on a pre-amp under 1k. I am thinking tube but maybe your experience can share differently. What I would like is a pre that very slightly deviates from neutral in 2 ways-It is slightly soft in the tweeter frequencies, adds just a hint of body(for instance on voices you recognize more of the body of the person, or on guitar you hear more of the body of the instrument). I would like it to do this with the least rounding off things so I don't lose the natural snap of sounds that give life to the music. I know neutral is somewhat subjective so use your baseline for neutrality and maybe give the context of that. Those that have experience with something like this could you share what you think. With all the pres out there I could probably be going in circles trying to check everyone's suggestions out so if this could be limited to your first hand knowledge I would really appreciated it. Thanks
marqmike
marqmike OP
838 posts
 
Wow. Thank you for all your suggestions. It gives me plenty to check out. Thanks a lot.
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
For tubes you can probably find one of the Marsh, BAT, Manley, or Dodd pres in your budget used.
kbuzz
214 posts
 
You will get tons of opinions on this issue. But for my money a used joule electra would be the way to go.
dhcod
706 posts
 
I used the Dodd and it was close to my custom LDR (light dependent resistor) preamp, which is really as good as anything I've ever heard. I've compared the LDR (based on the Lightspeed design but with multiple LDR inputs) to a few other preamps beside the Dodd and in my system it betters everything up to the ARC Ref series. There's a new LDR preamp I saw on 6 Moon from a company called Tortuga Audio. Might be worth seeing if they have a return policy. LDRs are popping up in the highest priced units from companies like Constellation so you know the technology is good. I think as it trickles down everyone will be using them.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
I agree with Kbuzz. A used Joule Electra LA100 III would be a great 'used' tubed pre-amp. And, I think, does most every thing you want.
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