2. amps-preamps
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Dorm Room Amp/Preamp

Hi, I'm a budding audiophile about to go to college and leave behind my Paradigm Reference Studio 60s so I originally bought a used pair of Paradigm Monitor 3s and a NuForce Icon after seeing the glowing review of it in stereophile. The NuForce was too much trouble with the rj45 to speaker wire connector and new power supply so I returned it. I have about $800 left to spend on amp/preamp. Any suggestions on what to buy? I obviously don't need a lot of wattage and something with USB in would be nice. Thanks for your help.
vmain13
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
peachtree or keep some of the money and get a harman kardon 3475 (which is a steal).
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
used Cayin, tubes. Will drive anything you fit in a dorm room. Of course, the tubes will be cool, cool, cool. Enjoy
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 
Agree with Jaybo about the Peachtree Decco. Tubed preamp, amp and Scott Nixon-designed DAC with USB input in a nice package. Also works well as a DAC/preamp for an external power amp if you want to experiment with tubes later on.
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
Winsome Labs' Mouse-30/45W and musical.Small chassis.Been very impressed with mine driving full-range monitors.Alps Blue-Velvet volume is recommended.
vmain13 OP
1 posts
 
Yeah thanks a lot for your responses guys. I've been leaning towards Peachtree Audio Decco looks gorgeous and has all the features I need but I haven't really heard much about them. But I've also heard a lot about Music Hall's offerings. Anybody have firsthand experience with them?
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