2. amps-preamps
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Amp/preamp suggestions in $3000-4000 range

Hi all,

I'm ready to upgrade my system and I'm going to start with the amp and preamp. I need suggestions.

My system is comprised of Kenwood L-07D and Oracle Alexandria turntables with Dynavector 10x5 and Benz Micro Glider cartridges, respectively, into a Unison Research Unico. The speakers are Vandersteen 2ce. I listen to a wide range of music from jazz and modern composition to beat up punk rock 45s, and everything in between.

I've had solid state amps most of my life and have tried some of the more humble all tube systems such as Antique Sound Labs and Jolida. I really love the sound of the Unico's hybrid design but it's not a great amp for the Vandersteens. Beyond that, I haven't much of an idea where to go. I prefer the idea of tube preamp and solid state amp but I'm not hell bent on it. I am open to an integrated machine or separate preamp and amp. Monoblocks are interesting as well. I'd like to keep the total price somewhere between 3-4K on the used market.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Rickk
rickk
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Mordante,

Good call on the integrated. I have separate transport and DAC, and until recently also had separate amp and preamp. I just picked up a VAC Avatar SE and the simplicity this brings to the set-up has been a big surprise. Not to mention the VAC has a built in phono stage and overall is an excellent sounding unit. My separates did some things better, but the price for convenience and saving space can't be overlooked. One can get an excellent integrated for $3k - $4k.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
How about the PS Audio GCC-250? 250 wpc integrated for $3495.

OK. As PS Audio likes to point out, it's not an integrated in the classic sense, because the multi-input front end is not a preamp; instead, PS Audio's GainCell technology allows the volume knob to adjust the gain at the amplifier level, so the signal does not get processed or attenuated at the incoming line level as a traditional preamp does.

But from a user's operational standpoint, it's a 250 wpc integrated without the customary size, weight, or heat. Damping factor >1000. Should show your Vandersteens what for.

This would be on my short list.
tigerwoodkhorns
130 posts
 
Rick,

Just give Mark Mdeenan a call. I may have spelled his name incorrectly. He is teh owner of Juicy Music and he also designed teh Paragon preamp in the 70's. His service is outstanding. IO had a Peach preamp with Klipschorns a few years back.

You may also want to check the Klipsch forum. Many there use Blueberry's. Mark had a pair of Klispch Belles when he designed the blueberry and Peach.

FWIW I use a Muscial Fidelity A308CR preamp and have a pair of Bryston 7B ST's and Classe CAM 350's with B&W S800's. I have not decided which amps to keep yet.

If you only need 200 wpc you can definately get the A308 preamp and either a Classe or Bryston amp for your $3000 budget. To me, the A308CR (SS Preamp) sounded more "tubelike" than a friend's VTL preamp.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,823 posts
 
You can find a set of our M-60s used in that range and they drive 2CEs beautifully.
rickk OP
15 posts
 
By way of update, I purchased a used McCormack DNA-225 here on audiogon and am now in the process of selling some of my other equipment to get the money together for a Blueberry Xtreme2 preamp. Thanks to everyone for the tremendous amount of input. It's taken me weeks of surfing and reading to get through all of the suggestions. Cheers, Rickk
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