2. amps-preamps
  3. 1124759324

Help me deceide on pre-amp please

Guys
I'm looking for suggestions on my next upgrade. I'm leaning towards a new pre-amp. Perhaps a VTL 2.5 or maybe a Audio Research unit. I'd prefer to keep the price under $1500 USED.
A friend of mine was kind enough to let me try a Cal Aud Labs Sigma Dac on the O/P of my NAD and I did like the tube effect. It was not a huge improvement IMO but did add a certain bloom and impact on the upper bass and lower midrange. It was this audition that has convinced me to include tubes in my search but I am open to suggestions on both SS and Tubed units.
Ideally the preamp will have remote volume and HT pass as I plan to integrate this into a HT sys. I listen to mostly pop and rock music.

Here is my current 2CH sys.

NAD C542 CD Player
Aragon 8008ST Power Amplifier
Acurus RS-11 Pre-amplifier

Paradigm Reference Studio 100 V3 Loudspeakers
Paradigm Servo 15 V2 Subwoofer
energeezer
yohjo
83 posts
 
I would second the Rogue 99. I use it both for two channel and to power the l/r for home theater. You really don't need an ht bypass. Just use your line outs from your ht receiver into one of the 99 inputs and find a volume setting on the 99 that is to your liking and use the ht receiver for the volume control for all speakers.
fedreams
107 posts
 
The Linar Audio Pre 2 is very tube like in sound but rare on the used market. As well as the Edge G series pre amp.
etbaby
138 posts
 
First verify that the input impedance of your Argon is 50K or greater. If so, buy an Audio Research SP16 (used if possible). On the used market these will be priced around $1500 - $1600.
asonicyouth
120 posts
 
Sonic frontiers Line 2
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
I concur with the Rogue suggestion; I'm using Rogue Magnum 66 and enjoy it. I found I preferred the sound of the 66 to the Audio Research LS-9 (a solid state unit). You can find a Magnum 66 for about $700. There are two different versions: Line stage (with remote, no phono), and phono (without remote).
An additional nice feature is internally switchable tape output can be made into second main out - nice for biamping. I don't know if this can be done with the Rogue 99.
I have my HT set up similar to Yohjo suggests. Works great.
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