Preamp with Tone Controls or an External Equalizer ....

joeinid

joeinid

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I have a desire to get a preamp with tone controls. Can you recommend something?

McIntosh C50/C2500/C2300 come to mind and the C50 is rising to the top. I think I'd like the tone controls on the preamp as opposed to adding an equalizer although I am not opposed to that option. Thoughts?
 
Hi Joe

This may be of some interest. It is from Alberto from that other site :-)

A loudness button. Just plug it into the tape loop and it is truly transparent, rather than in between pre and power.

Delicious Decibels - Home

Bye, same with outboard eq. Plug it into your tape loop and you can have it in the signal or completely out of it. That is how I use my Deqx HDP-4

Cheers
 
Thanks Shane!

It looks cool. I'll check it out for sure.
 
joeinid said:
I have a desire to get a preamp with tone controls. Can you recommend something?

McIntosh C50/C2500/C2300 come to mind and the C50 is rising to the top. I think I'd like the tone controls on the preamp as opposed to adding an equalizer although I am not opposed to that option. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Hi Joe, other than the obvious of wanting control etc, can you be more specific as to "why" you want the tone controls? Is it one thing? Or several things? Or you just want one for the heck of it?......I'm asking because if it is one thing, there might be another way to calm or accentuate the situation.

How's the snow over there?
 
Absolare said:
Hi Joe, other than the obvious of wanting control etc, can you be more specific as to "why" you want the tone controls? Is it one thing? Or several things? Or you just want one for the heck of it?......I'm asking because if it is one thing, there might be another way to calm or accentuate the situation.

How's the snow over there?
Click to expand...

The snow is pretty heavy. It might be a nice day to take off from work.

I guess it's mainly one thing but not entirely. :) Sometimes when the listening sessions get a little more spirited, a gentle roll off or "sweetening" on top might be nice. Otherwise late night, low to mid level listening is absolutely wonderful.
 
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joeinid said:
The snow is pretty heavy. It might be a nice day to take off from work.

I guess it's mainly one thing but not entirely. :) Sometimes when the listening sessions get a little more spirited, a gentle roll off or "sweetening" on top might be nice. Otherwise late night, low to mid level listening is absolutely wonderful.
Click to expand...

Not so bad over here in the city, cold and windy and a mess but other than that it's great;)

It would be good to try out a good pre with the tone controls to see if works and doesn't have any downside. Is it the case with the tube amps as well or just SS?
 
Sorry Joe,
Here I have to promote my own lovely pre-amp: the Audionet DNP. Digital Network Pre-amplifier. So it is a pre-amp and digital streamer / DAC in one. Very good sound, really the highest-end possible. And the bonus is it has a built-in DSP. You can build profiles with altered EQ. And the good thing is that you can put a different profile for each input. So as an example I have connected my Linn through SP/DIF, XLR and RCA and each input has a slightly different profile plus the built-in streamer has a different profile. So now I can comfortably change the 'moods' by the remote control or the iPad.
Would that be something for you?
Cheers,
Hans
audionet-dnp-dna-dnc-hollywood-zuhausedsc-2370-au.JPG
 
Absolare said:
Not so bad over here in the city, cold and windy and a mess but other than that it's great;)

It would be good to try out a good pre with the tone controls to see if works and doesn't have any downside. Is it the case with the tube amps as well or just SS?
Click to expand...

All tubes is better than any solid state combo. I do seem to be more sensitive to high frequencies than some I know. I'd would certainly like to try something but it's not always easy.

Glareskin said:
Sorry Joe,
Here I have to promote my own lovely pre-amp: the Audionet DNP. Digital Network Pre-amplifier. So it is a pre-amp and digital streamer / DAC in one. Very good sound, really the highest-end possible. And the bonus is it has a built-in DSP. You can build profiles with altered EQ. And the good thing is that you can put a different profile for each input. So as an example I have connected my Linn through SP/DIF, XLR and RCA and each input has a slightly different profile plus the built-in streamer has a different profile. So now I can comfortably change the 'moods' by the remote control or the iPad.
Would that be something for you?
Cheers,
Hans
audionet-dnp-dna-dnc-hollywood-zuhausedsc-2370-au.JPG
Click to expand...

Hans,

Don't be sorry. That might be a great suggestion. Thanks!
 
joeinid said:
All tubes is better than any solid state combo. I do seem to be more sensitive to high frequencies than some I know. I'd would certainly like to try something but it's not always easy.

Hans,

Don't be sorry. That might be a great suggestion. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Joe,
Like yourself I am extremely fond of the high frequencies. Even though the DNP is a SS Amp the highs are really fine. Warm and precise, not too analytical or bright. But more 'correct' than tubes if I may say so. Audionet shares the philosophy with Goldmund of ultra wide bandwidth. I would encourage you to request a demo and I am sure that will be very convincing.Here are the specs:
Schermafbeelding_2014_01_03_om_16_49_22.jpg

If you want to make it even better you can try the external PSU called EPX:
13136506.png
 
The DNP is a great unit. Its features and functionality put it into a class by itself.
 
If the D'Agostino preamp had independent tone controls, it would have been perfect for my needs. The fact that BOTH bass AND treble had to be engaged with no zero point is just plain stupid.

:(

Absolare said:
Not so bad over here in the city, cold and windy and a mess but other than that it's great;)

It would be good to try out a good pre with the tone controls to see if works and doesn't have any downside. Is it the case with the tube amps as well or just SS?
Click to expand...
 
Well joe, don't kill me but ......

How about the Dag preamp? As I duck. :)

Just harassing ya - I know why it's not on your list.
 
I think the GAT has a tape out/in loop. Why not grab an EQ (quality based on budget) and run the EQ when you want to play with tone control? When you don't need the adjustment you will have your state of the art preamp and with the push of a button you can adjust to your pleasure.
 
the professor said:
Well joe, don't kill me but ......

How about the Dag preamp? As I duck. :)

Just harassing ya - I know why it's not on your list.
Click to expand...

Maybe if there is a red or blue wire I can snip to separate the bass and treble. :reallymad:

Mike said:
Classe CP800
Click to expand...

I've considered this one.

dan31 said:
I think the GAT has a tape out/in loop. Why not grab an EQ (quality based on budget) and run the EQ when you want to play with tone control? When you don't need the adjustment you will have your state of the art preamp and with the push of a button you can adjust to your pleasure.
Click to expand...

This is probably the way I intend to go. There when I want and out when I don't. Thanks Dan :)

MDP said:
Mike, I think only you and I appreciate how great a preamp the CP 800 is !
Click to expand...

I know it's a great unit but my thoughts on the C50, et Al. were based on adding a smidgen of warmth (even a touch of detail loss is okay) to the sound as well as having the tone controls.

dan31 said:
The Millennia NSEQ-2 and Manley massive passive are well regarded.
Click to expand...

I am taking a hard look at both of them and love what I see/read. I think they might be more friendly on a balanced preamp.
 
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I didn't meant it that way, it's just that I think people overlook the CP 800. I think because it's priced so well, it doesn't get the respect it deserves.
 
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