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Preamp w/ a budget of $2000

Hi All, 

I'm looking to replace my NAD preamp. It is now the weak link in my system. I would like to keep the budget to 2K or less. Requirements: Pre out or sub out, MM phono section, and a remote.

Associated equipment:
Amps: Anthem MCA 20, Red Dragon M-100 monoblocks
Sources: Bluesound node 2, TV, ProJect Debut Carbon
Speaker(s): I do a lot of switching out- Spatial Audio M3 Turbo S, Gallo 3.1 reference, MMGs, Green Mountain Audio Continuum I, DIY Nola Brio Trio Clones
Subs: Paradigm Monitor Sub 12" x2, REL T-7 x 2
Cables: Anticable IC's throughout, Anticable Speaker wire, Audio Magic Speaker cable

I am a detail freak and tend to like my sound towards the more clinical side of things. Of course imaging, soundstage depth/width, and image focus are important. I listen to a lot of Jazz and recently a fair bit of electronic as well. 

Any and all advice or direction would be appreciated. 

Best- Ben
128x128birdfan
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I have a Bryston BP6 too, it is what mofojo says.
Bought it on here about 5 years ago for $1200 bucks, use in bedroom system, has nice headphone amp as well.

I also have a Van Alstine Vision pre , all Class A , that sells for  $899
new without remote . Bught new last year .Can be had with superb Van Alstine phono pre for extra $329 , 299$ for remote (I don't like remotes myself.)
It sounds more musical than the BP6 and has an even better headphone amp. Drives  my Senn 650's like a champ which is not easy to do.
BP6 is a tad more quite perhaps but that's about it . AVA is best buy on market and sounds great !  Oh, and it has a built in gain-control (low, high) which is very useful to match up with an amp or speaker .
russbutton's avatar
russbutton
433 posts
 
VTA - http://tubes4hifi.com/

They sell everything both in kit form and preassembled.  Their top line line stage preamp, the SP14 sells for $1350 preassembled and for $960 in kit form.  Their best phono preamp sells for $895 preassembled and for $650 in kit form.

There's a used VTA SP14 selling for $800 at the US Audiomart website.

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649355979-tube4hifi-sp15-tube-preamp/

linnlingo
173 posts
 
A CJ Classic 2 SE w/Teflon caps selling at Spearit Sound for $1999.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
OP, coincidentally I have the same preamp and was/am in the same quest as you are. The usual popular choice in preamp upgrade path is Conrad Johnson and I watch the classifieds and read as much as I could to find a good choice. I had the opportunity to borrow a CJ Classic 2 (not SE) from a friend and used it for two weeks. Even though initially I really liked the CJ lush sound, at the end, even to my own surprise, I much preferred the NAD. I found it more balanced and seemed to cover a much broader range, top and bottom in particular. I have no doubt the higher model CJ preamps or even the SE model(s) sound better but don’t discount how good this particular NAD preamp sounds. And yes, it does run hot and I assumed it had to do with its Class A gain stage. All I’m saying is try to listen to your options if you can before dumping the NAD, especially if you want detail and prefer a more "clinical" sound. Ironically, I was looking for something with a less clinical sound but realized clinical and balanced kind of go together, at least to my ears. Of course the equipment synergy also needs to be considered and maybe in my system this preamp just sounds better than a comparably priced tube replacement.
timlub
2,040 posts
 
@bensturgeon 

Hi Ben,   Looking at all of your comments, it looks as though you are not looking for Tubes... don't get me wrong there are tubes out there that can have the detailed sound,  but they can be costly and at your budget, I believe that SS will solve the problem... Here are a few pieces that I believe could solve your problem. 

Rowland Capri or Capri 2 (1st mentioned)
T+A Elektroakustik 1230R
Classe CP60
Muse Model 3 Signature

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