2. amps-preamps
  3. 1290622240

Battle of affordable pre-amps: Rotel vs Parasound

Which would sound better, Rotel RC 1550 or Parasound P3? System is 2-channel, pair of Quad 22L2s powered by a 200wpc Rotel RB-1080. Room is small, 12x10x8, and acoustical foam will be applied to front and back walls. Floor is carpeted. I mostly listen to CDs, although I do keep up a lossless music library for my iPod. We can talk DACs later! Musical preference ranges from Frank Sinatra to Beethoven to electronica/IDM, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, and Bowie. I don't have a decent CD player yet, but you can assume Rotel RCC-1055 or Music Hall 25.2 or Cambridge Audio 550. Your thoughts are appreciated, thanks.
realremo
Post removed 
schipo
1,268 posts
 
you seem to be limiting yourself to only two budget pre-amps. There is the Adcom gfp565. Built to last with great sound and on the cheap.
bizango1
276 posts
 
I'd consider the RC-1090 preamp that preceeded the 1550. I had two of them and liked them better than the BAT tubed and SS preamps that I also owned. It would have great synergy with your amp. You don't need a balanced preamp because your amp is not truly balanced even though it has XLR connections. There's a positive review of this preamp with your amp here http://www.rotel.com/content/reviews/amplifiers/rb1080-rc1090-absound-nov01.pdf. The Parasound does have nice features that you might like such as balance and tone controls and the Rotel does not.
phd
1,316 posts
 
I have owned the Halo/Parasound P3 and it is a very good sounding preamp for the money. It will easily beat any Rotel preamp.
realremo OP
460 posts
 
Thanks for all the comments, guys. Some of my other requirements:
remote control, must have, this is a deal breaker
Must have a local shop in Denver that will work on the pre-amp, I have that in both Parasound and Rotel. I don't want to have to ship the pre out to get it worked on, this eliminates the Adcom.
The rotel units are attractive to me because the remote would work with a CD player. Parasound does not offer a CD player currently.
I really want tone controls. The Rotel RC-1090 is a nice pick, but the bass/treble knobs on the 1550 look really good too.
Anthem has some nice units too, there is a local shop that will handle repairs, not sure if the Anthem remote will also run one of their CD players, I know their CD-1 changer is well-regarded.
Agree regarding Rotel power amps vs. pre-amps, I have read their pre's just aren't that great for the money, not like the power amps.
Musical Fidelity is also a decent choice, but a little more $$$. There is a local shop for these. I like their full-size DACs, planning to add one in the distant future.
More to discover