2. amps-preamps
  3. 159029-149366

Reliability of brand

For a budget of $3000, which preamp is most reliable? I am leaning towards Mcintosh for the reason there is a recommended service center near where I live. This is a recommended service center listed on the Mcintosh website. I am a new member here, returning after inactive for several years. Recently, because of the crisis and the oil price plummeting, I have some free time on my hand because I was off the job market. So I am looking to upgrade my preamp after using my Onkyo as a processor for so many years. I am trying to learn from this board here so please have some patience.

My system:

Amplifier: Mcintosh MC2200, (it is old, I know, 1976 vintage)
Audio Processor: Onkyo TX-NR801
CD Player: Sony DVP-S9000ES and Yamaha DVD-C920
Magnepan 1.7

I know it is not much but it will do for now. I want to upgrade to a better amplifier and a preamp and that is why I am turning to this board. And the fact that I am not working now is I need to watch how I spend my money real conservatively for it to last for a long time. I hope I can learn along the way and pass it on to some of my friends. I knew two older colleague who also used this board constantly to upgrade their equipment. One of them had a Krell amplifier that died and the weight of 150 lbs alone prevented him to get it repaired. That is why reliability and price are the most two important considerations for me, right after performance.

I had spent half the afternoon reading through my search: "best preamp." The opinion varies by a wide range. The is no collective thought like a report or a chart plotting the results. For an example, if I am looking for a preamp between $2000 to $3000, I wish there is a report stating the frequency of the brand mentioned by the board members and plot them on a chart, like a charting of a survey. Is there such a report or study? Thank you for your input and your time.

sengr
kh6idf
28 posts
 
Bryston preamps come with a 20 year warranty, so that is another brand to consider.
jtweed's avatar
jtweed
48 posts
 
And Coda comes with a 10 year, 5 year transferable warranty.
But, my next pre is going to be a Don Sachs....
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 
A well made pre of any brand isn't normally troublesome. Get the one that sounds best. The pre is important! And make sure that it has features that you want like balance, mute or tone controls etc.

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
I’m a Mac guy through and through. I picked up a Zpre3 Parasound, 3-400.00 dollars. What a cool little preamp.. Remote, sub volume control all kinds of little goodies.

Mac, pick one you can afford and can go through if you need to(older). They have a good phono section, service everywhere. Play through for the HT if you all ready have one. Tone control, is a big plus for me. no matter the manufacture.

Somebody will chime in about a good integrated. That’s an option too, I suppose. Sell the MC2200 and a couple grand aught to get a good Integrated.

That Sony is a real keeper.. a real sonic nugget...

Regards
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