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Which of These Budget SS Preamps?

Hi all,
I am trying to help my friend find a good solid-state budget preamp. His system consists of a Parasound HCA-3500 power amp, Sony SCD-XA9000ES CD/SACD player, Paradigm Reference Studio 100v.2 speakers, and Signal Cable speaker cables, interconnects, and power cords.
Above all, he wants outstanding top-end extension, transparency, outstanding detail, speed, focus, and great bass.
I do not know anything about budget preamps.
His current list consists of:
Adcom GFP-750
Marsh P2000B
Parasound Halo P-3
Parasound P/LD-2000
PS Audio
Rotel RC-1090
Which of the above would best fit the above criteria that I named?
To those who have compared some of these preamps to one another, what are the sonic differences between them?
Thank you all so much for your help!
Angela
audio_girl
scottht
398 posts
 
Again, The Audio research LS3 will blow all of the above away.
dawgcatching
139 posts
 
If you can stand a tube preamp, check out the Eastern Electric Minimax upgraded version (about $950 new). Very neutral and detailed, huge bass response. I was going to spend $2k on a preamp until I heard this one-incredible detail and frequency extension. It took about 150 hours to really sound nice, and I swear it is still improving. Really responds well to tube rolling-I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Plus, Bill (the distributor) is a pleasure to work with and provides 1st rate service during and after the sale. For me, the Minimax provides just enough "meat-on-the-bones" with my tube selection that it is real pleasure to listen to jazz and orchestra music.
genesis168's avatar
genesis168
409 posts
 
I have to fully agree with the others about the Audio Research LS-3 or 3B. Fine piece for the price. Does everything very well.

I wouldn't mind getting another for my second system.
danielk141
489 posts
 
Try the Adcom GFP 750. If you like it, a Pass Aleph P or X series preamp will be the next upgrade.
warnerwh
539 posts
 
Unless you've already tried a tube preamp now may be a good time to check on out. An Audio Research is what I'd recommend. You may find out you love it. Tube pre's need only tube changes every couple of years, other than that they're turnkey and tubes aren't expensive. If you buy a used one and decide you don't like it you lose little or nothing. If you find you are amazed, like many of us, that you hadn't tried one before then welcome to the club.
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