2. amps-preamps
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Best Budget Choice for Preamp w/MC Built-In?

Greetings and thanks in advance for all thoughtful opinions! I'm putting together a new 2-channel system and now need a preamp to complete the package. The primary source will be a Thorens TD-320 with Denon DL-103R; I'll play CDs as well, but the line stage capability of the preamp will not be as important as the phono stage. The power amp will be an ATI 1502, which will put out about 220 wpc into the 4-ohm GMA Continuum-1's I picked up here on a'gon. (Actually picked up the ATI here as well!)

Now my budget is $250-300, which I know is tiny and inconsequential, but, well, that's it for now, so my choice is likely to be limited to vintage solid state. The guys at audiokarma have convinced me to consider one of the older Yamaha preamps in the C and CX series. The other model I've read good things about is the B&K Pro-10MC.

Has anyone heard these units and have thoughts about them? Are there other candidates I should know about? I don't care whether it has a remote or not -- I'm looking purely for the best phono sound possible in a single-full-function preamp.

Thanks for all help, Rich
winegasman
bgpowell
70 posts
 
You may be able to find a Nakamichi CA-5 in that price range. It was designed by Nelson Pass for Nak. It has a MM/MC phono stage that is very nice. 3 selectable loads. I bought one new around 1988 and still use it in my second system.

Ben
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Check out Sunfire SRP(Symphonic Reference Preamp) used for ~$450-ish...
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Used Rotel RC-995

Maybe Rotel's best. Even has single ended and balanced outputs.

Someone has one on ebay right now; openning bid $250. They tend to go for between $300 and $400 depending on condition, remote, etc.
bdgregory
1,710 posts
 
I don't know how this compares with the others mentioned above but I have a Sherwood-Newcastle AVP-9080r pre-pro that I use exclusively for Stereo (actually I blew out the digital part - but that's another story). They can be bought for $225 or so, have an acceptable MM/MC phono section (switchable), and a Tuner. It also is remote controllable for all functions.

The best part is it's a surprisingly great sounding 2 channel preamp (digital bypass).
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
If you are willing to reach, I very highly recommend the used Conrad Johnson Motif MC-8 preamp someone is selling here for $480. This thing sold for $2300 new back in the late 1980's. Considering the audiophile quality phono stage it has, it would easily sell for $4000+ today if it was new.

This is a real high end solid state preamp. It is not a budget piece.

It actually has two separate MM and MC stages with separate inputs. It is not some cheap thing with a a gain switch on the outside. There is a switch on the back only because there is only one output for phono. You could connect two turntables to the preamp (one MM, one MC).

I owned one for over 6 years, and would not blink to buy one again if I had the need for another high end preamp with built in phono.
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