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
miner42
709 posts
 
My general listening setup consists of a (Rotel) RC1090 pre, RB-1092 amp, RCD-1055, RLC-1040 & B&W N804 with a ASW800 sub. A nearby lightening strike disabled my RC-1090. Filed my damage request with APC (they made the RLC-1040)and thye told me 4-8 weeks before a decision would be made and that I could not repair my preamp yet in case they wanted to look at it. In their defense they are sending me a S20BLK so I can send them my RLC-1040 to look at. Anyway, I could not wiat that long so I went out to get a substitute pre - a RC-1550. I was not looking to get too excited because I had a RC-1070 before my RC-1090 (a big upgrade). Mt dealer did not have any RC-1580 is stock. Well, to my surprise I am very pleased with the $620 (what I paid) RC-1550. I am not missing much if anything in musicality - it is a very strong pre for the monies. I looked for a cheap replace/hold-me-over pre and was treated to a nice piece of stereo equipment. This setup is for background listening. My main system is McIntosh equipment with Sonus faber speakers, just to give you an idea of the equipment spectrum I ma enjoying.
dhl93449
455 posts
 
Ancient post.

The P3 is an OK little pre-amp if you can live with OPamp sound. I spent a bunch of time modding one I have with upgraded PS components and high end opamps, but it still did not sound anywhere as good as a JC-2 with discrete components.

BTW, John Curl had nothing to do with the design of the P3. I hear he dislikes the use of Opamps in the audio chain and would never design an amp with them. The P3 was designed by the Parasound Taiwan team of engineers.
realremo OP
460 posts
 
What pre would you recommend, Dhl, if neither the Rotel nor the Parasound works for you?
bpwalsh
1,202 posts
 
Dhl, that's not altogether true. Given the choice, John Curl prefers discrete devices, but he has designed products using op amps, some of which have won product of the year awards.

Parasound dealer.
dhl93449
455 posts
 
realremo:

I am using a JC2. The P3 is a good little amp for the money, and sound amazingly good even with it's opamps. Most low cost (ie under $1000) pre-amps use opamps these days. I still have my P3 and use it for less critical applications.

Essential:

My input comes from the Parasound CS dept, and yes, even the JC1 and JC2 use opamps in the design (just not in the direct audio path). J Curl uses opamps in the servo DC feedback circuits of the JC1/2.
More to discover