List of preamps that work very well with the Nord One SE UP NC500DM Stereo?

Showroom Dummies

Showroom Dummies

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I'm looking for a preamp for my soon to arrive Nord amp.

I would like a list to have an idea of which amps to look into.

From the reviews I've read, Hattor seems to work well, and I do like the look of it.

Then there is Music First but am unsure of which model would be best: It would be between the Baby Classic and Classic V2.
 
Jack said:
Price range and features needed?
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I can go to £2,500.00, even a bit more but forum members have mentioned that cables and power cables can make a difference, so I might have to spend some money on these aswell.

Features: I will need a 12V trigger and will be connecting: Cambridge CXN (which will most probably need replacing with something a bit better - more money to spend!); Turntable; CD player (which I don't use as often since the CXN arrived).

Not sure what other features I would need.
I'm no expert compared to most of the forum members, even with the basics!
 
I had a chat by phone with Jonathan Billington (owner of Music First) and he recommended I try the Baby Classic and see how I got on, as I have never heard a passive preamp before, and if it's not to my liking send it back for a full refund.

This is what I am doing, and should receive the preamp tomorrow (Friday).

The only problem is that he does not fit 12V triggers and it does not come with a remote.

If I like the sound, then I will upgrade to the Classic V2.
 
I agree with Joe. My Hattor passive is great but a little dry sounding with the Nords. The ARC REF5SE and LS27 make much better partners with the Nords. I have a Schiit Freya on the way and will give it a go with the Nords and post my thoughts.


joeinid said:
My first preference would be a balanced tube preamp.
Click to expand...
 
nc42acc said:
I agree with Joe. My Hattor passive is great but a little dry sounding with the Nords. The ARC REF5SE and LS27 make much better partners with the Nords. I have a Schiit Freya on the way and will give it a go with the Nords and post my thoughts.
Click to expand...

I like the look of the Schiit Freya and not a bad price either.
It will be interesting what your think of it.
 
Showroom Dummies said:
I had a chat by phone with Jonathan Billington (owner of Music First) and he recommended I try the Baby Classic and see how I got on, as I have never heard a passive preamp before, and if it's not to my liking send it back for a full refund.

This is what I am doing, and should receive the preamp tomorrow (Friday).

The only problem is that he does not fit 12V triggers and it does not come with a remote.

If I like the sound, then I will upgrade to the Classic V2.
Click to expand...

Will be very interesting to hear how you like the Baby Classic...

I thought I could not live without a remote and my plan was somewhat similar, to aim for an upgrade and include the remote option, but somehow I really like the minimalistic approach of the Baby, and so far I'm getting along with having to stand up and adjust the volume and have not felt the need to upgrade any further.

My Baby was upgraded with the v2 transformer though, as a cost effective option....
 
I have never heard it on the Nord. I bet Joe or Jack tried it with their Nords.... However, performance for the dollar, features, future proof, quality, etc., you would have very hard time finding a better preamplifier for the dollar than the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE.
 
VoicesInMyHead said:
Will be very interesting to hear how you like the Baby Classic...

I thought I could not live without a remote and my plan was somewhat similar, to aim for an upgrade and include the remote option, but somehow I really like the minimalistic approach of the Baby, and so far I'm getting along with having to stand up and adjust the volume and have not felt the need to upgrade any further.

My Baby was upgraded with the v2 transformer though, as a cost effective option....
Click to expand...

Received the Baby Classic this morning (Saturday) and..... Wow!

It is literally as if a veil has been lifted: More detail, instruments sound more natural, a more 3D sound, better bass.

I did not think it would make as much difference.

Then there was mention (above) about the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE, which I can buy in the UK for £1,999 and has everything that I want, but as you say, I like the minimalistic approach and still can't get my head round that I don't have to plug it into the mains.

It means I wasted a bit of money having the 12v trigger fitted to the Nord which I will never use if I stick with the Baby Classic, and if I do, will upgrade to the Classic V2.

I've now started thinking about the Baby Reference (will this ever end :) ). How better can this be?
Do I really want to spend that much money? I can just about afford it, but then how good is the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE with all the bells and whistles?

Listening to a brilliant cd I ordered from America a good few years ago called: Hearts of Space and released by The Absoute Sound (TAS).

Noticed that your speakers are PMC Fact.8: Very nice, and expensive.
They look very similar to my Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand.
 
Haha, I had the exact same experience... like what the **** just happened!? I could not believe a passive preamp could make such a difference.... but it did, quite amazing actually.

What you wasted on the 12v trigger you save on the power cord. I would never settle for a standard power chord, making every device that requires power expensive.

It could have been interesting to compare it with the W4S STP-SE though... but sometimes it just feels right, and comparisons are uneccessary...

I don't remember how much extra I paid for it now but Jonathan offered to put the v2 transformer in the Baby case which was perfect for me. I also want the Baby Reference v2 of course and maybe one day, but it's a lot of money.... probably very well spent money though, but still... the Classic v2 is apparently so great that the Baby Reference v1 was discontinued...

The PMC's are great, they work perfectly in tight spaces where it can stand quite close to a wall... also very good looking I think... :)
 
Only to a very cheap Schiit SYS and it did absolutely nothing to enhance the sound.... it was just a volume control...

I've not compared with Hattor or any of the others, but I did alot of reading research before I decided on trying Music First... and as I've said many times before I did not expect to hear much difference, but I knew after 10 seconds that it was staying for good!

For me the W4S looks too much like a preamp... :) I love the look of the small and minimalistic Music First, only a volume knob and nothing else. It suits me perfect as I want to hide everything else.
 
VoicesInMyHead said:
Only to a very cheap Schiit SYS and it did absolutely nothing to enhance the sound.... it was just a volume control...

I've not compared with Hattor or any of the others, but I did alot of reading research before I decided on trying Music First... and as I've said many times before I did not expect to hear much difference, but I knew after 10 seconds that it was staying for good!

For me the W4S looks too much like a preamp... :) I love the look of the small and minimalistic Music First, only a volume knob and nothing else. It suits me perfect as I want to hide everything else.
Click to expand...
It was as quick for me, within a few seconds I knew I had fell in love with this preamp :)
Even some cds which sounded not as well recorded are now enjoyable with good separation of instruments, voice and lovely bass notes.
 
Ha! The thought did cross my mind. But I've got other desires and itches to scratch. :)
 
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