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Preamp 101

Hi, I am going to build my Hi-Fi system but has little knowledge about this. I already got the following pieces.

Parasound A21 amp
Thiel CS2.4 speaker
Rega RP3 TT w\Extra II cart

Now, I am looking for a pre-amp and have no knowledge about how this works. Take the Wyred 4 Sound STP/SE preamp as an example, I can't see any input for Phono, does it mean that I need another Phono preamp? Also, there is no built-in DAC for this preamp, do I need to get an external DAC in order to make the whole system work ? Thanks a lot.
cpatten
loomisjohnson
1,943 posts
 
1. if the preamp you're looking at doesn't have an inboard phono preamp, then you would need a separate phono preamp. you're probably best served getting a preamp with a phono input--if you specify a budget you'll get many recommendations.
2. you don't need a separate dac unless (a) you're using digital sources such as a cd player, and (b) you're dissatisfied with the quality of the dac built into the digital source.
kkyeric
3 posts
 
Thanks. I listen both cd and vinyl, my budget is around $3000 (used or new ones) for the preamp. Any good recommendations?
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I can only talk about tube pres from my recent experience. VAC Standard w phono stage would a good choice, well under your budget. Another possibility would be CAT, but you have to be a bit careful as the CATs are pretty high in gain and w a stepped volume control it can be hard to get the level correct. Or a Joule w built in or outboard phono.
loomisjohnson
1,943 posts
 
i'd look at something like the parasound p7, which would be a good match for your amp.
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