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Need a preamp with tone controls!

OK, most audiophiles would say I shouldn't need tone controls, but I have a good system that plays QUALITY recordings beatifully, so much that it makes me not even want to listen to many of my 70's & 80's stuff. This comprises the largest part of my collection. So I've been looking at McIntosh preamps...great tone controls/equalizers, etc. Any others out there of audiophile quality???
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cohicks4 OP
42 posts
 
I'm currently using the NAD C-352 integrated as my preamp, lot of flexibility, but it definitely feels like it's holding back all my Halo A21 amp has to offer. What I really need is to try boths preamps I truly want in my home, the McIntosh C-50/52 and the C-2500. But I don't know how to do this without paying some restocking fee or more shipping costs. 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,169 posts
 
Depending depending on your Budget .The Ampzilla,and Son of Ampzilla 
Spread Spectrum Technologies .the Ambrosia, is one of the preamps .
the late great designer Jim Borgiano ,believed all preamps should be able to 
adjusted to compensate for recordings as well as taste. These preamplifier do a fantastic job of that. Just look up the reviews .
cohicks4's avatar
cohicks4 OP
42 posts
 
Thanks for the tip audioman58! Spread Spectrum stuff is very notable gear, never thought to look there.  There are so many brands, ya know...can't think to check them all. I will take a look!
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lak
4,642 posts
 
auxinput & erik_squires, thanks for the information.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

Tone controls notwithstanding and as a tube example, I've heard the A21 paired with a Conrad Johnson PV-10BL and it sounded great. A bit high on the gain but otherwise excellent. Switching from an SS preamp really warmed up the tone nicely.

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