recommend full featured preamps?

"The addition of tone controls in your system will only compromise fidelity."

I would agree with the audio purest perspective that use of tone controls are better avoided, if possible, but sometimes it isn't for whatever reason and the advantages of adjustable settings and options can far outweigh the disadvantages compared to the alternatives.

If pre-amp flexibility is critical to your application, a properly functioning second hand Carver pre can likely do the trick without breaking the bank.

Would need more details about your system and setup to suggest how you might avoid this, if possible.

another angle

http://www.proaudio.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=72&products_id=2198

Vegasears,

Yes, that Behringer unit could be just what the doctor ordered with a good but less flexible pre-amp. Good call!

Stick with the mcintosh.. Not even close to carver, carver is okay for 300 bucks used, but sometimes no remote, and the loudness turned on sounds like you are hitting a plastic garbage can in the garage... They have that goofy other mode I forget the name it adds some nice effect, some natural noise thing or something.. Harmonic something or other...

Anyway most of your Preamps with Bass only knob is just a 100 hz boost.. But with a mcintosh pre you get the 5 band eq, which the bass range knobs start at 30 hz which is very low and very nice to get that just slight bump in the room loading feel like a subwoofer, and then you can kick up the 80 hz as well, and the 120 hz range in the mid bass etc...

And Mcintosh has the variable loudness knob, so you can choose how much db in loudness you want to add, not just an on full blast loudness or off button. And the mcintosh sounds more full and warm in the SS realm nearly tube. And resale value in most cases is better you would barely loose anything if you decide to move on again.

Carver pre-amps like the c-6 have a lot of unique features that you may or may not find useful. I'm sure Mac does as well, but I am reasonably certain that each has a different set. So it is not an apples and apples comparison if you are looking for particular types of flexibility. You need to do the research and determine, if that is the way you want to go.

A separate digital equalizer device like the BEhringer suggested by Vegasears will cost more as well but could prove to be most effective, at leat for digital sources if not analogue, if needed.

Loudness is one of the more useless features on the Carver as it is with most preamps. I've never used it. There are many other unique features you will not find elsewhere that I have used to very good effect from time to time. There is greater flexibility in adjusting the tone controls using a tilt feature in combination with the actual tone level controls that you will not find elsewhere and I have found to be quite effective in getting levels set just right when needed without a separate equalizer.

There is nothing on the Carver that deals with "natural noise" that I am aware of, though I'm not sure exactly what that means.

You might find a Carver in good operating condition for $300. You won't find a Mac most likely in that range. If the cost is not a concern, get a Mac if that is what you prefer. A Carver c-6 pre sold for $900 almost 20 years ago, so it was never "cheap"...it is a very respectable unit. It has held its value pretty well over time I would say.

I been very satisfied with mine for almost that long. The only piece I own that I've held onto for longer is the Linn Axis turntable.