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Need help picking a preamp.

I'm a long time listener to music and am trying to slowly upgrade to a better quality sound. Looking for a preamp in the 500-$600.00 range but am willing to go to 700-$800.00 range if the extra money would equate to a difference my ears would hear. Do not know which is better (SS or Tube) in my price range and with my setup listed.I assume used in the way to go.(Jazz, Classic Rock, Rock)

Nad C720BEE
Yamaha Av RX-V530
Onkyo disc
PSB Image T65
PSB Image S50
PSB Image C60
Yamaha Sub SW 90
garypic
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
There are several 1990's or early 2000's Classe preamps that you can get used, in those price ranges, assuming you don't need a phono stage (I can't tell for sure whether or not you do based on a quick look at your component list). It may be possible to find one in that price range that has a phono stage, as well. Do a search for "Classe" at Audiogon under solid state preamps, and you'll probably find several available. They are reputed (rightfully, imo) to have a tubelike sound while having the advantages of being solid state. Their service and customer support is also reputed to be top notch.

Regards,
-- Al
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I've had many. My ultimate is an MFA Magus. More reasonable is an Anthem TLP for solid state or AR 6C for tubed. They both beat my Classe 30 hands down. The Anthem has a built in tuner, the AR a phono pre. Probably $550 and $800 respectively.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,203 posts
 
Classe is an excellent way to go. I'd agree with Almarg.

A Musical Fidelity A3CR pre-amp used would be another good option close to that range particularly if phono is desired.

Those are the ones in that price range I actually considered recently. I ended splurging for an Audio Research sp16 tube pre-amp that cost a good bit more in the end.
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