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Need some Preamp recommendations

Zutroye

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I know this is has been asked many times over, but I really didn't want to hijack other posts.

I'm looking to put together a second system. I have a Rega P6 turntable, Emotiva XPS-1 phono-pre. I need an amp/pre combo or integrated. I was thinking hard about the Yamaha A-S1200 integrated, but, if I'm honest with myself, It's mostly for the audio-porn VU meters.
Yesterday, I stumbled across the Hypex Ncore amps. I really like the looks and build quality that I've seen with the boXem Arthur and the March Audio P502.
If I pick up one of those, I'll need a preamp. Any recommendations? Primary use will be with my TT, but I would like to be able to plug a CD player and streamer in the future. I'm up for anything, SS, Tubes, whatever. I feel like I should be able to find something decent for under $2K, but I'm flexible.
If you have something you love, I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance,
Zutroye
 

Chazz6

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I found the Emotiva PT1 to be too bright and thin. Surprisingly, a Chi-fi preamp (Xiangsheng 728A) is preferable, although it does lose some detail. I will try a tube preamp that gets favorable chatter in its place.
 

Rottmannash

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Schitt Freya+
 
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Zutroye

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I found the Emotiva PT1 to be too bright and thin. Surprisingly, a Chi-fi preamp (Xiangsheng 728A) is preferable, although it does lose some detail. I will try a tube preamp that gets favorable chatter in its place.
I like Emotiva as a company. I think they provide a great bang for the buck. I just can't get over the looks of the PT1. I don't like digital displays. I think that their BasX power amps are good looking units though.
Schitt Freya+
Thanks, I'll check it out.
 
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Zutroye

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Your post and another made me curious what 2ch pre-amps there were now too a bit (mine are at least 20 years old but they still work fine) and was just looking at a review of the Topping D90SE here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-pre90-review-preamplifier.18283/ which looks pretty nice....but not as much choice as there used to be....
I read the thread, and though it looks good on paper, I'm not sure how flexible it is for my needs. It also made me realize that I'd like a headphone jack. Even though I own a separate phono preamp, I would like to think that I could get a preamp with a decent phono stage, headphone amp, and plenty of inputs, digital and analog. I don't want to manage >= 5 separate boxes. Maybe I am just pining for an integrated.
 

Chrispy

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I read the thread, and though it looks good on paper, I'm not sure how flexible it is for my needs. It also made me realize that I'd like a headphone jack. Even though I own a separate phono preamp, I would like to think that I could get a preamp with a decent phono stage, headphone amp, and plenty of inputs, digital and analog. I don't want to manage >= 5 separate boxes. Maybe I am just pining for an integrated.

I don't think in terms of headphones myself, don't use 'em, but a definite consideration. With a separate phono pre already in hand I wouldn't worry too much about a separate box for that aspect, but do like some simplicity myself....both my old pre-amps are fine in the phono stage department in any case. In most of my systems I've done away with the box that contains the record playing mechanism altogether :) Talk about fussing with stuff....
 
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Zutroye

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In most of my systems I've done away with the box that contains the record playing mechanism altogether :) Talk about fussing with stuff....
I hear you. I like records for nostalgia, artwork and packaging. Listening to a record feels like an event, more so than any other media. I'm not one that has ever thought that records sound better or enjoy the 'warm' sound. That said, I want the best sound I can get from a flawed medium.
 

Chrispy

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I hear you. I like records for nostalgia, artwork and packaging. Listening to a record feels like an event, more so than any other media. I'm not one that has ever thought that records sound better or enjoy the 'warm' sound. That said, I want the best sound I can get from a flawed medium.

Yeah I keep one around, and still have all my vinyl....nostalgia needs to be attended to now and then....but when you grow up with it, it loses its luster over time IMO and is just a pain in the butt to get up to flip every 18-20 minutes. Album covers, particularly double ones, can be good for rolling joints with, tho. YMMV :)
 

Karu

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I would recommend MiniDSP SHD for the preamp, you get an analog in and room correction, streaming from get go.
 

JeremyFife

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I'm having the same thoughts, way more complicated than it should be! :)
2 front-runners, both measuring well here; Topping pre90, and Pro-ject pre Box DS2 Digital. Both ~700 GBP. The Pro-ject is intriguing; Phono stage and DAC included so cuts down on clutter. Topping measures better, but maybe not by enough.
 

bajwe

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I am also looking for a good analog preamp to drive my Ghent ncore 122. I already have a lovely Meridian AV preamp (565), but I have collected a few streamers/CD/Dacs (marantz CD-60, meridian 508, chromecast, Topping D10) and would like to hear them in the flesh (the 565 digitises analog inputs), so switching is important. On the later I am considering the P90 and using the meridian analog tape outs (the meridian has an extender called the 562) as a switching unit to feed it (and avoiding the topping extender). Any advice on using tape outs to feed the low impedance topping would be appreciated.

I love the ncores, they definitely pass the Arthur Salvatore test:

The softer in volume a system can play, while retaining ALL of its sonic strengths, the Better that system is in retaining low-level information.

Aside from the P90, I am considering the Schitt Freya, but my only other constraint is that it can be any colour as long as its black. I am considering a few second hand units, Pass X1, older Yamaha Cx2, but have considered lightspeeds, and Transformer volume controlled preamps (TVC). The problem is trying these before buying will be limited.

I am using older polk RT600i speakers, but have 2 stereo Ncores (for when I resuscitate, and actively drive my Altec 604g with DEQX). Watching this thread with interest.
 
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