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Looking for Preamp recommendation under $1500

sculpordwarf007

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Hello, I'm new to audiophile hobby. I am thinking of investing into separate DAC, Preamp and Power amp components. Please recommend me a preamp without inbuilt DAC (since I'll have it separately).
  • Open to try both Tube and Solid state
  • Balanced inputs/outputs are must
  • Prefer HT bypass functionality
  • Can stretch the budget to $2000 if it's really good
  • Mostly listen to pop music. I like warm sound signature with tight and punchy bass.
  • Trial period is must (country: USA)
So far I have following in my shortlist:
  • Schiit Freya+
  • Topping Pre90
Looking to match it with:
  • DAC: Schiit Bifrost 2, Topping D90SE
  • Power amp: Parasound Halo A21+

Current System:
  • AVR: Marantz SR6014
  • Front Speakers: Paradigm Premier 800f
  • Sub: SVS SB2000 pro

Appreciate your suggestions. Thanks. :)
 

atsmusic

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Seems like a used Bryston preamp might be a good choice for that money. I believe some of them measure very well.
 

jsrtheta

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Seems like a used Bryston preamp might be a good choice for that money. I
Hello, I'm new to audiophile hobby. I am thinking of investing into separate DAC, Preamp and Power amp components. Please recommend me a preamp without inbuilt DAC (since I'll have it separately).
  • Open to try both Tube and Solid state
  • Balanced inputs/outputs are must
  • Prefer HT bypass functionality
  • Can stretch the budget to $2000 if it's really good
  • Mostly listen to pop music. I like warm sound signature with tight and punchy bass.
  • Trial period is must (country: USA)
So far I have following in my shortlist:
  • Schiit Freya+
  • Topping Pre90
Looking to match it with:
  • DAC: Schiit Bifrost 2, Topping D90SE
  • Power amp: Parasound Halo A21+

Current System:
  • AVR: Marantz SR6014
  • Front Speakers: Paradigm Premier 800f
  • Sub: SVS SB2000 pro

Appreciate your suggestions. Thanks. :)

believe some of them measure very well.

If you can find a used Rotel RC-995, or a Rotel RC-980BX, you'll never need another preamp.
 

Vapor9

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I really love my Wyred4Sound STP-SE hooked up to a March Audio p252 amp and my SMSL SU-9 DAC. Unfortunately, it's right at the top of your range, but if you can swing it, I can't imagine you'd regret it.
 

Frank Sol

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Speaker matching would be key

And if you're looking for Clarity then the Pre90/D90SE would be a nice pair
 

Chrispy

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Where is the Marantz failing as a pre-amp?
 
OP
S

sculpordwarf007

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Thank you everyone for you suggestions. After going through lots of reviews and suggestions, I have decided to get my Schiit together! :)
 

AudioKnob

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Please check out Odyssey Audio in Indianapolis. It offers two beasts in the pre department: Candela, which is tubed and Tempest its SS counterpart. I have the Tempest there is simply no better box at this price.



Should you have time, search for used ... AK
 

FrantzM

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Hi

Good day to you! Welcome to our hobby. Welcome to ASR. If you are serious stay. ASR can ba a bit of a shock. It does go counter to many strongly held audiophile cliches.
The questions before we (I ) go any further:

Why do you want to go separates?
What sources will you use? If these are digital, no preamp necessary,if analog, frankly and seriously? Why analog?
Why the HT bypass?
Size and construction of the room?
What speakers?

It is important to stress this: Despite the insistence of a good portion of the audio press to say and repeat the contrary. Electronics are a solved issue. Decent electronics are virtually transparent i-e most humans being will not be able to (cannot ?) perceive the difference between a DAC from Topping to one from SMSL or ...

The starting budget for a preamp $1500, tells me you are going to invest a considerable amount of money in your system .. Would be nice to tell you what are your plans.

Waiting for your reply so that we can engage in a constructive discussion.

Peace!
 
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Jim Matthews

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