college kid needs help with budget amps

whats a good pre amp to match the adcom 535 amp?

I would recommend used separates Acurus product, Hafler amp is also match well with klipsch. Regards, Rute.

I had a Jolida 502A a few years back.It rocked very well with its 6550 output tubes.Its a 60 wpc integrated.If you look hard you may be able to find one for $500.This amp is awesome in the looks department also.

If you end up with seperates, watch for a superphon preamp to go with your adcom. When in college I used a NAD integrated ... gobs of power for not alot of money. A dorm room is sure to present a host of problems that will more than likely overshadow all but the largest of differences between components. Integrateds will allow you to skip one set of high quality interconnects (more money for beer and dates). Thin resonant walls and hard, reflective floors and ceilings ... cover everything with rugs, wall hangings and shelves! Hope this helps.

I think a NAD integrated makes a lot of sense, used with more power if your speakers are inefficent, or new C350 if efficient, and you should have enough left over for a pair of headphones, say the Grado 150 (I think) for about $125. Headphones are the way to go if you'r ein a dorm and/or have roommates. And the NAD for the money is very good. I dont think you can find a preamp and amp for less than $500 that will be any better. I cant even think of a preamp under $500 that's any good at all, except for maybe a Creek passive or that passive preamp "Sam Tellig" has talked about. But then you dont get a headphone amp. And that is essential in close quarters, I think.