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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
weiserb's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
weiserb
477 posts
 
Luxman CL-35MK III all tube with phono
haoleb
82 posts
 
NAD C160 comes with remote and all the bells and whistles for around 500. here is the link ... http://www.yawaonline.com/nadc1refprea.html

Haoleb
mkaes
53 posts
 
a few suggestions: space tech labs, anthem 1l or 2l, mccormack tlc or mld, monolithic sound or any of the many decent passive units in this price range.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
for that price anything other than a passive would be two coloured and would be unworthy of you're resolving speakers. The problem with digital volume controls is that the as you turn the volume down you lose resolution. I believe Creek has an inexpensive remote passive. I think you will quickly be frustrated with a cheap tube preas you will lose the transparecny you are currently enjoying. THe passive will simply give you the best at all volume levels.
zorpman
87 posts
 
Look on E-bay for a Dynaco PAS 3. Tube wonder with phono stage. Very sweet <$300. Only problem is close spaced RCA inputs.
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