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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
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
1,307 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.
blkadr
739 posts
 
I think it was the MF A3cr that I enjoyed for a while. I see one just sold that had been listed for $550 (I think). Another Musical Fidelity pre I really liked was the X-P100. It was one of the small cased with an oval shaped faceplate units from some time back. This little thing sounded great, wish I had held on to mine. Classic high value find IMO.
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
Have you had this system for a while and now want to upgrade pre, or are you starting from scratch?

I ask because I understand the Quads are supposed to be very resolving, and I used to have Rotel RB1080 + RC1070 pre with B&W speakers and when upgraded to B&W 804S (more resolving) I ended up upgrading amp as it sounded brittle. Just a thought there.

I would shoot for a used tubed pre, if I were you...but then I have moved to tubes for all my amplification. The proposed VTL would be nice.
If you want to stay with SS, then Rotel would be a logical choice. The RC1090, also suggested, would be nice. The RC1070 is also nice for the price, very silent.

If you believe you will continue to upgrade over time, then I wouldn't get fixated on any given brand. Also, having a local shop is nice, but so far I have never needed service on my units...

My two cents
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