2. amps-preamps
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Cheap Old Preamps

I'm helping a friend look for a cheap (under 100$) old (tubed would be great but not necessary) preamp, and was wondering if you all had some ideas for what to look for (probably on eBay). I've been tracking some Dynacos, but the tube ones tend to exceed our budget. Are the SS daynaco preamps just sucky? His sources include an AR/XA TT and a really old Cambridge CDP. Amplification is a 40 wpc (I think) SS McIntosh amp (model unknown). Thanks.
shersta
clueless
763 posts
 
A lot of the old tube pres are very decent and the market price reflects that as you say. If you get a tube pre at $100 it is very likely that it will need TLC and drive the price up after purchase even if it is advertised as in "working condition". Caps, etc.. need to be replaced after XXX years. If they have been replaced it will be over your price and if they haven't you almost have to expect to do it and that will cost $$$. $100 is tough for a decent reliable tube pre on the open market.. You could bump into a garage sale special.

The Bottlehead Foreplay is a nice new pre at $150 with lots of ways to mod in the future. Foreplay
If you're afraid of the diy work you probably do not want an old <$100 tube pre as you certainly do not want to pay for service.

I don't know the SS market.

Sincerely
I remain,
tlhub
23 posts
 
Superphon Revelation Dual Mono or Basic
Late '80s vintage. Solid state. Simple design by Stan Warren, originally the "S" in PS Audio. I owned a DM for many years and it sounded great. Original retail on the DM was $400. Pots got scratchy after a while however. If you can find one I bet it would be well under $100.

Good luck

TLHUB
jc2000
92 posts
 
The 3020 mentioned above does have a good reputation. However, I think that you can get the same circuit--possibly for less--in the 1020. I've heard some people who have had a 1020 claim that when they upgraded, they had to spend over a $1000 to get something that's much better.
shersta OP
140 posts
 
Thanks for all your responses. I have been keeping an eye out for a nad 1020. I know that sub 100$ is a tough range, esp. for tube gear, but we've also got a friend who's the type of guy who rebuilds stereo and recording equipment just for fun. Thanks again, and I'll be sure to check out some of your suggestions.
tots
26 posts
 
Agree on NAD. Have 7020 from 1982 (is 3020 amp plus tuner). Jumper on back to get to pre-amp output. Mitsubishi DA-P20 also. Other favorites are not cheap, such as Kinergetics KPA-1 and Apt Holman. With a small speaker like ADS L420, 7020 sounds great - only 20 Wpc but heavy duty with big heat sink.
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