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Used Pre-amp advise please....

Hi,
It turns out that I need your advices once again...
I recently just upgraded my B&W N805 to a pair of Dunlavy Alethas (and decided to put them in my living room which I believe is big enough to accomodate them). My current system (tight-budget system):
Jadis JD-3 CD
AudioNote DAC 2
Krell KSP-7B
Krell KSA250
Cardas Neutral Ref & Nordost BlueHeaven RCA
Cardas Quadlink cable speakers
I am quite ok with the system until I heard the combination of Conrad-Johnson PV10a with my Krell, which turned out to be very musical, detail, and sweet (lack of bass & soundstage, a bit lean). A huge improvement over my krell ksp-7b.... Since I virtually have spent all of my $ for the Dunlavys, I could not afford a better pre than a used one (my Ksp-7B is only worth $550 at my dealer). My current choices are: CJ PV10a ($750), CJ PF-2 ($800) or Sonic Frontier SFL-2 ($1000). My concern is the CJs are quite low-ends (non-replaceable power cord) while the SFL-2 is quite old (1996, and the comp have been brankrupt). Any sugestion among those pre-amps? Thanks in advance....

Regards

Adinata
atjandra888
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
You should be able to get a PV-10b line stage for what you are looking to spend. However I would try to move up to a Premier 10 or 14 if you can swing it financially. As someone said I would not worry to much about vintage as CJ still services everything they make / made. I don't know who services sonic frontiers as they are out out of business as I understand it. So that would sway my decision. People who still own sonic frontiers would know the answer to the service question.

Chuck
renotunes
5 posts
 
Im currently an owner of an sfl2 and can attest to its quality of sound and build. This is a fantastic preamp built like the proverbial tank. It uses 8- 6922 tubes and I believe service thru anthem-sonic frontiers is still available. feel free to email for any questions but i know you wont be sorry if you pick one up.
loontoon
301 posts
 
NO text
praudio
39 posts
 
Under 1000$ used,don't loose your time and money:go passive
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
IMHO the SFL-2 is the better match for your system (Flavor aside). As Thorman points out...it is the most neutral which I would want in my system if I had the Krell/Dunlavy combo. It also has the balanced outs for your Krell and will be quieter along with better bass.

$1,000 may be somewhat optimistic for the SFL-2?

Dave
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