Pre Amp for a PA-7?

Most likely the seller got a better offer than what you were going to pay. His story sounds like BS. If you are set on that preamp you should check out other ones that are for sale!

Duh! How did I not realize that until now PA/CA7, PA/CA5, I still like the minimalist CA5 :)

For well under $1K, there’s lots of nice preamps to choose from on USAM now. Classe DR4L, Electrocompaniet Ampliwire IIa, Forte Model 2, Acurus L10, Nakamichi CA5, Aragon 24K, Threshold SL10 and a few others if you’d like to get into tubes. I personally love the combination of a tube preamp with a SS amp but any of the above mentioned should work great too. If the desire is to stay with all Nak setup, than the choice is simple; and that CA5 is mint too! If you are interested in exploring other combinations, I’ve owned the Aragon and Classe and have heard the Forte as well. Another really great sounding under the radar preamp, if you can find one, is the Museatex AVC-1. Lots of really good choices here….

I hear you about the love of the hunt.  Currently living overseas now, but if I were back in the US, I’d seriously consider buying the Nak PA/CA5 stack, the Electrocompaniet stack and the Musical Design amp & pre that are on USAM just to hear them all.  There are just so many flavors of ice cream that I’d like to try :)

seller is dishonest I believe.

I would find one from someone else. Has balance, and 3 tone controls, lots of inputs, both MM and MC phono (you of course can use external), two tape loops, two outputs, nice!

Seems missing remotes can be acquired, but a complete collection of box/manual/power/remote indicates careful ownership, ...

One seller said 'two buttons missing', 'typical of these', enough to clarify if any signs of trouble from one you may buy.

I am a recent purchaser of a CA-7 and PA-7 combo. My previous amp was a Nakamichi TA-4A. The speakers I’m running are not known for their bass output. (Avalon Avatars) If anything, I’ve found improved bass and greater all around detail with this combination. I think the seller does not know what he’s talking about.

The CA-7 has an amazing phono section and I’m told the same holds true for the CA-5 & CA-5II.

My only complaint about the CA-7 would be that the OEM remote feels delicate. (Mine had a crack in the IR window plastic) You’re not stuck to that remote as the Harmony remote system supports the CA-7.

Your budget is around $1000? In that era I’d look at an Audio Research LS3 if you’re looking to stay with solid state. Never heard a PA7 but know the PA5. Later LS3’s has a remote option but don’t come up too often as the the option was $500. Very revealing preamp. If you’re at all open to tubes read up on the ModWright SWL 9.0 SE. Not heard one, but the Schitt Freya + gets a lot of great press which is current with remote.