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Preamp Opinion

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for advice on my amp and preamp. Although I am sure that it could be improved, I have come to the conclusion that the Parasound A23 is the least of my problems. I also have a Parasound New Classic 2100 preamp, a Marantz 8600 CD player/streamer (which I also think doesn't need to be replaced), and Focal Aria 926 speakers. I did listen to advice I was given and am expecting a vintage McIntosh SL-1 sub to my system.

I am looking at a few used preamps and wanted to get your opinions on them since the only one I have heard is the Adcom GFP-750 and that was years ago. My memory is that it had a very good sound to it. The other preamps I am considering are the Rotel RC-1572, Rogue RP-1, Coplant CTA 301 MKII, Bryston BP6, and Vincent SA-T7. Unfortunately, I have not heard any of them and don't have a location where I can. I tend to prefer a sound that is not too bright but provides a good clear soundstage and imaging. I have always owned solid state before and am a little leery of tube maintenance.

Thank you for your advice or observations about any of these preamps.
bcool57
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
@jayctoy @ditusa @wolfe_garcia @georgehifi and others who have commented so positively on the Schitt gear. Good to hear such high praise of the Freya. Quick question - is it your "forever" preamp? Or are you of a mind to eventually replace it with something else?

Not me, as I go direct, no preamp even better.
And if my source had no volume control, then the passive stage of the Freya, and the if I need to use >5mt of interconnect or with an amp that only had 10kohm or less input impedance, the solid state of the Freya then the tube
Cheers George
rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
280 posts
 
I had a Freya and thought it offered a ton of features for the price but I never liked the sound even after rolling tubes.  I also found it noisy.

I had a Decware CSP3 and while it was very simple I really liked the sound, but it was also a bit noisy.  It does have gain control of the input and of the output tubes and that allowed for dramatic changing of the character of the tube sound.  It is single ended and I like the silence of balanced output.  Its a great Pre to start with and many never move on.

I moved on to an Allnic L-4000 and really loved it until I had an opportunity to swap a DAC for an Allnic L-7000 and I pinch myself every day for how I cant believe how good it sounds.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I had a Freya and thought it offered a ton of features for the price but I never liked the sound even after rolling tubes. I also found it noisy.

I had a Decware CSP3 but it was also a bit noisy.


Freya is dead quite in any mode ("SNR: >120db, A-weighted, referenced to 2V RMS"), it’s the environment you had them both in

(@ wolf_garcia care to comment on noise of the Freya??)

Cheers George
prebs
19 posts
 
I would go for a reasonable priced Parasound JC2 from the used marked. I've ran this on a A21, JC5 and JC1 with great luck. The synergy between parasound's own product line is what I would choose. Dead quiet pre with loads of details with matching source!! Deep bottom with abit rolled off tops. Never got any fattigue from this pre ever.... Only downside on this pre would be the trigger-happy volum control on remote, but you will get used to it and learn the tapping-touch in flash. Good luck
rbertalotto
138 posts
 
My vote...Schiit Freya+... I've had a ton of preamps over the years. But I read so many amazing reviews on the Freya that I decided to find one and buy it. I like buying used equipment and I found a Freya non-plus and bought it for $600. They say the Freya has more noise than the Freya Plus. These 70 year old ears can't hear any noise in the original Freya. All I can tell you is that the sound stage the definition the air is simply amazing on this preamp. And the ability to use tubes are not on certain recordings is a great feature. For $1,000 I don't think it can be beat.
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