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Low budget vintage preamp or new

I’m new to this hi-fi world and wow wow wow it is so exciting. Been nerding out big time in these forums and am happy to be a part of this now.

I got Heresy IV’s, a McIntosh MC352, a Project S Box and a $50 amazon dilvpoetry preamp. I spent nearly all of the money I have right now besides about $1,300 I saved for a preamp. 

I definitely want a tube preamp, and am looking most closely at the Audio Research LS7 and the Schitt Freya +. Honestly even with the $50 preamp I’m still totally floored every time I turn the system on and do not think I have had a single conversation with anyone in the past couple weeks that did not at some point turn to how dope the hi-fi world is. 

What are your thoughts on the lower end Audio Research amps? I’m a bit nervous they’ll hum, that I’ll need to spend a lot of time and money repairing them, and that they probably won’t work so well when I use my system to play movies, which I will certainly do at times. 

What do you think? Are there other preamps I should be looking at? Thanks so much for your time


128x128oitsliver
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
Here"s what I have: Conrad Johnson PV-3 (four-tubes) and an Audio Research SP6 (six tubes).  Both excellent preamps and not too expensive. $600 and $850 are the approximate prices I paid. They work fine! Bought on eBay. 
danager's avatar
danager
954 posts
 
What's the purpose of a preamp?  Do you want remote volume control?  Would a passive preamp work?  It would allow you to switch sources and turn down the volume.  Are you going to listen to vinyl?  For that you would need a phone input.  If you are going to vinyl what kind of cartridge moving coil, moving magnet. 

You need to decide how many inputs you need,. What are the devices.  If it's just a DAC and video you would be better off with a simple AB switch box.
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
I also have three more tube preamps: a Dynaco PAS-3 (DKL Labs mod), a Counterpoint and a Trevor Lees. All under $1K apiece and from eBay. Any of these and the two above are easy recommendations!
oitsliver's avatar
oitsliver OP
5 posts
 
thank you for your responses. definitely listening to vinyl but i have a project phono stage already. it would be between DAC, Video and Vinyl. right now my phono stage supports both mm and mc which I like because even though i'm using mm right now down the line I can see myself switching to mc (hopefully i start making more money lol). remote would be nice but not make or break for me.

illl take a look at all the amps you recommend. are they going to make a big difference compared to the $50 preamp im using now? does preamp affect soundstage too? thanks again 
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,969 posts
 

I’m a bit nervous they’ll hum, that I’ll need to spend a lot of time and money repairing them, and that they probably won’t work so well when I use my system to play movies, which I will certainly do at times.


Old (vintage) stereo, like old (vintage) automobiles generally need repair sooner than later. And if you are not mechanically inclined, you will have to rely upon someone else to fix it. There is nothing wrong with used. But be aware of the age of the piece. If it is 20 yrs old or older it most likely needs capacitors and a good cleaning. I have bought a lot of used equipment but 10 yr old equipment is my limit on age.
As to the hum, that is usually caused by a ground loop and can happen with any system. Its more dependent on your electrical system. They are usually remedied with a little expense, often a 2 prong AC adapter.
As for movies, there should be no difference except instead of having 5 channels, you have 2 channel stereo sound. Now if you are trying to incorporate a 2 channel stereo with a HT system, that is usually a bad idea. Been there and done that.  Two channel HT is fine with me
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