2. amps-preamps
  3. 1316750655

How important is the preamp?

Hi,
I have been slowly working towards a decent system. I have a pair of 1.6 Maggies and an Ariston Audio turntable from the '70s with SME series III tonearm and Grado Red cartridge with a Parasound PPH 100 preamp. I had been using a Marantz 5200 receiver and also a basic Panasonic DVD/CD player. I decided it was time to get a better amplifier and am trying out a Classe CA 201 power amp. I wanted to hold off for a little while before getting a preamp so I am using the Marantz as a preamp. I love the way CDs are sounding but am a bit underwhelmed as far as my vinyl is concerned. Any suggestions please?
medullablongata
singleendedsingle
664 posts
 
Agreed. You can found decent preamps for a reasonable price.
usblues
1,217 posts
 
Get an ARC,CJ, preamp for 7-800 and you will be amazed.Like blankets taken off speakers.Cheers,B
inna
7,296 posts
 
If you want separates and not integrated, yeah, get the amp you like and then work your way up the chain. I would probably but not necessarily prefer good integrated with the phono in this case. What are your speakers? You will want to replace your phono and cartridge real soon, I guess.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
muzikat is right, a good quality preamp can make a substantial improvement compared to your current system configuration.
medullablongata OP
1 posts
 
Thanks for all the feedback! I am going to buy the Classe power amp and look to get a preamp at a later date. My speakers are Magnepan 1.6. The more I am listening to the phono, the more I like it. I did a side side by side comparison using the Marantz as an integrated amp vs only as a preamp with the Classe and the difference was HUGE!!!
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