Pre-amp advice sought - please.

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by Antipodean Brad, May 8, 2004.

  1. Antipodean Brad

    Antipodean Brad

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    As the newest member here let me firstly say a friendly hello to everyone. I have lurked for a while and now that I am certain that this group is friendly I have gathered the courage to join - and to ask my first question. May I have your advice and thoughts about pre-amp's?

    I have a Classe 4 pre-amp which is about 13 years old and I am looking to replace it. My budget is limited, but I have considered the NAD S100, ATC CA2, and Primare Pre-30, these being the options which have attracted most of my attention within my budget - absolute maximum $3500 Australian. I am not considering Musical Fidelity at this time. There is an ACT SCA-2 available for $4500.00, but I just could not justify it.

    These units each have their benefits and attractions - I would prefer balanced outputs which the ATC does not have - but they all have remote control, enough inputs, and seem to be well made. I would love the Primare to be best for me - and a little cheaper, too - but...

    I have read here that the ATC sounds very good, but how good is it in comparison to these, or other, preamplifiers? Where does it stand in the hierarchy of pre-amp's?

    I would be most grateful if I could get your thoughts as to the relative merits and sound of each of these - or anything else I really should consider. I should mention that I am not averse to importing second-hand from the U.K., or even new if not available here in Australia (I bought my Trichord Alecto from Trichord).

    In case I need to state it, my other gear is Sony 338-ESD CD player (to be replaced/upgraded sometime), Audioplan cables, and locally made powered speakers which will be replaced or supplemented by "normal" speakers. I may also use it with some valve amplifiers I have - my system in in such a state of flux!Music? Instrumental, lightish jazz, some classical - pretty limited interests, I know, but I buy what I like and enjoy listening to it.

    Thanks for reading. I look forward your comments.
     
    Antipodean Brad, May 8, 2004
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  2. Antipodean Brad

    michaelab desafinado

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    Hi Brad, welcome to the forum! I'm not really able to give much advice in response to your post, I was hoping someone else would but somehow this post seems to have been ignored - didn't want you to feel like you got a frosty reception on your first post :)

    Arcam also make the FMJ C30 pre-amp which is supposed to be quite good. It costs about £1000 new in the UK, I don't know how that works out in Ozzy dollars.

    You could of course do what I did and order a transformer based passive pre from Bent Audio. Can be specced pretty much as you like including balanced inputs and outputs.

    See this thread where I did a bit of a write up on mine.

    Michael.
     
    michaelab, May 10, 2004
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  3. Antipodean Brad

    MikeD Militant Nutter

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    $2560 ;)
     
    MikeD, May 10, 2004
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  4. Antipodean Brad

    bottleneck talks a load of rubbish

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    hiya


    why not have a look at the ''what valve pre?'' thread for lots of ideas.

    Sideshowbob has an ATC pre and loves it. Why not PM him?

    Chris
     
    bottleneck, May 10, 2004
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