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Budget preamps less than 3 bills......winner is?

Hey folks for 2nd systems always looking for sleeper preamps...Nad 1600...wow...the tuner in this is very good...and I own a Magum D...and the phono is very, very quiet...remote is worthless off axis but small quibble...this is a great used buy....Adcom 565...more of a transparent, hi end sound...in other words...very nuetral...less romantic than others...well known phono is highly regarded although at the time i never used it...nice piece...build is below NAD and this has no remote or tuner...belles xlm...very hi build...not remote...only mc phono...full bodied sound with muted highs...nice vintage sound but the most dated sounding IMHO...others? Forte, Nakamichi...
128x128phasecorrect
steveaudio
331 posts
 
I had a Nad 1600, & I agree, the tuner is quite decent. The pre-amp section is like a giant filter/compressor that removes all the highs, lows, Dynamics, & soundstage.

I'm guessing: $500-$800 minimum for a decent used hi-fi (not mid-fi) pre-amp (older C-J perhaps?). And really, much below $1000, an integrated usually makes more sense.

(Just my 2 cents!).
celtic66
1,673 posts
 
B&K Sonata is very decent for the money. Used should be close to your budget.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect OP
2,013 posts
 
Agree the NAd 1600 is nowhere near state of the art...but for the money and then some...it is a very competent performer...i have heard much more pricey preamps that were a lateral move or a step down...but to each his own!
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
consider moore and franklin luminescence, audio research sp-10, conrad johnson premier 3, or other suitable vintage tube preamp. a beard preamp is no slouch either.
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