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best preamp under 500 for cheap, poor student

Hi
here are the latest specs of my dorm system (keeps changing!...I keep getting stuff from my dad's house!)

Source Technics DVD 1 10
Amp1 Electrocompaniet aw100
amp surround: marantz pm17sa
amp center nOrh Le Amp (with EVS goldmund attenuator)

Speakers: JM Labs Mezzo Utopia
Spekers surround: Home made (JM Labs, PHL and Philips) 92dB
Center : KEF Reference

I am doing most of the volume control with the dvd audio player's in-built processor. I have posted about thirty five thousand posts asking what's wrong with this and NO ONE seems to answer that question.

so if that's not the way one controls the volume suggest a sub$500 alternative ss or tube to control my electrocompaniet aw100
subdoofus
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Used Conrad Johnson PV-10AL tube preamp. Can't go wrong with this one for $500.
docwarnock
63 posts
 
Subdoofus:

To answer your question, if the DVD player's volume control sounds good to you and gives adequate gain, I would question buying a pre. If, however, such is not the case, or you need to switch other sources, then a pre would be in order.

The used CJ is a good recommendation and I would add the Bottlehead Foreplay if you're interested in tubes. If your preference is solid state, then a used Sonographe SC26 or Adcom 750 (a bit of a budget stretch) would do nicely.
sknnyc
51 posts
 
At the NYC High End show, the YBA room featured a pair of JM Labs Utopias (what the heck are you doing with the Mezzos on a cheap student's budget) driven by the Audio Refinement (YBA) integrated. It was awesome... we kept coming back to the room to relax and listen to music after hearing some of the hifi exhibitions. I think the integrated can be had for around $500 used.
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Subdoofus,

Looking at your system.....I want your dad!!

My dad's system was a coffin sized TV/Radio/Phono... It got loud (amazingly I didn't blow it on Led Zep's Trampled underfoot..) but it was nothing like what you've gotten from your dad!!!
rogerroger
76 posts
 
Antique sound lab 2004. $279.00 brand new. Check here on Audiogon or at Divertech.com. There are certainly many other choices if you are willing to buy used--and especially if you are patient.
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