Pre-Amp Shopping
- Thread starter Arnoldhasmail
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rrwmd
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Good on you for being loyal to your dealer.
Arnoldhasmail
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- #63
After borrowing a number of preamps this past month...I don’t think I could just buy something without hearing it in my system first. I have the ARC 28, CJ ET3 and my BAT VK-50 in the House right now...and it’s been an enlightening experience...I might just track down a 52SE. I really like the CJ, but it seems pretty hard on tubes and is a little noisy...it’s single ended, and the chassis is a little flimsy. The ARC was too tilted to the top end for my taste...it was impressive and sounded beautiful...but I found it fatiguing after a while. The BAT was very musical, sometimes not quite as polite as the CJ... but never aggressive. At my budget, I think it’s a good fit for my taste and my system...
but, I have a few more days with all three...the listening continues...
Dr Tone
Banned
That was my impression as well, but after all the glowing reviews I thought maybe I was the problem. Nice to read someone else hearing what I heard.
Arnoldhasmail
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- #65
i know what you mean. I had to know for myself, so I took another drive to the dealer today and borrowed one.
Arnoldhasmail
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- #66
Have a Mcintosh C2500 coming in early January...should be interesting...
Kingrex
Active member
I'm all behind purchasing from a dealer if they loan me the gear, or introduce me to it. I'm still considering the Classic 120 amp from CJ. I will stick with my First Sound preamp. The clarity, finesse, smooth presentation along with staggering bass sold me. It was much better than the McIntosh, Airtight or Rogue gear I had owned in the past. The only drawback is the lack of a remote. You have to get up to adjust the volume. The first sound pairs very well with CJ amps. I would assume it would do the same with McIntosh. It is only only single ended.
Arnoldhasmail
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- #68
No Remote...that kills me...what we put up with in the name of good sound
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The C2500 is a loaner. It's one of the last preamps I can find to borrow and was interested to see how it pairs with my MC402. It's another item my dealer is helping with...he's a good, patient guy...
I've been lucky enough to borrow or hear five pre-amps in my system...the C2500 will be the sixth...after this I'll need to make a call...
.The C2500 is a loaner. It's one of the last preamps I can find to borrow and was interested to see how it pairs with my MC402. It's another item my dealer is helping with...he's a good, patient guy...
I've been lucky enough to borrow or hear five pre-amps in my system...the C2500 will be the sixth...after this I'll need to make a call...
RichardAusten
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- Nov 1, 2014
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I chose the Audio Note M3 Phono Balanced preamp over the ARC as well for a similar reason in the treble. And it seemed to have a slight noise. Perhaps for some added ambiance.
Perhaps the main issue is system matching. You may like one preamp in one system but in another it doesn't have anywhere shine.
sharkmouth
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- Apr 5, 2013
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- 1,616
One pre-amp that has absolutely staggered my perception of quality sound is the Schiit Freya, put some Tung-Sol tubes in it at least & just be amazed at the cost/enjoyment factor,... if not sell it on & loose 100-150
RichardAusten
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And it looks awesome too. For $700 there really isn't much else from what I have seen that really competes. Schitt's kind of the king of wallet friendly.
Does anyone here know if the there is a pre amp with a inbuild multibit dac? I currently own a integrated amp and a Schiit Mulitbit Gungnir. In the (far) future I might like to move to a pre/pwer combo. But I'd prefer to keep the amount of boxes the same.
So either phono amp or DAC has to be on build, both is also an option. Or even a pre-amp with streamer. That way MY Aries LE could also retire.
So either phono amp or DAC has to be on build, both is also an option. Or even a pre-amp with streamer. That way MY Aries LE could also retire.
Arnoldhasmail
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- Thread Author
- #73
Anyone heard the new CJ ET-7? I have the opportunity to get one from my dealer at a very fair price...
Not sure if I should just look for a used ET-5 and pocket the balance...
looking at at internal pics...the et7 looks like a simpler design with far fewer caps...is that a good thing or just a cost cutting measure?
Not sure if I should just look for a used ET-5 and pocket the balance...
looking at at internal pics...the et7 looks like a simpler design with far fewer caps...is that a good thing or just a cost cutting measure?
Arnoldhasmail
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- #74
Arnoldhasmail
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- #75
Jack
Active member
Were you ever able to listen to the BHK preamp?
Arnoldhasmail
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- Thread Author
- #78
Thanks for the insight Joe. I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on it. I’m stretching the price range...but that happens with hobbies. Also hope to have this for a while. I’ve listened to a lot of preamps since the beginning of this quest...I really like the new CJ preamp sound...
Hey Jack...I was not. Couldn't find an easy loaner.
Hey Jack...I was not. Couldn't find an easy loaner.
Jack
Active member
If you like the CJ sound and the gain resulting in tube replacement doesn't bother you then go for it. Using 6n23's might slow down the tube usage like it does with AI preamps.
Arnoldhasmail
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- #80
The high gain does bother me....I own dozens of classic 6922's and 6dj8's...probably a dozen 6n23‘s as well. Tearing through the classics would bother me...but at least there are some options to alter the sound. My BAT uses a dozen 6922’s...probably costs more in the end wearing down a dozen at a time. And I’m not a fan of the 6h30 sound, so those preamps are tough for me to swallow...