Any Suggestions for a Pre Amp £1,500-£2,000

I currently have on demo an Exposure 14 and 9 Pre Amp and PSU.

I like it very much, however I have not tried anything else to give any sort of comparison.

I was hoping some of you might me able to suggest anything else I could experiment with.

I will welcome ideas that suggest S/H equipment.

The type of sound I like is sweet treble, an open mid range with a tight bass.

I like it very dynamic, musical and positive.

Just for information I do not care for the Naim sound

Thanx

 

atc., secondhad, £400 no brainer.doubtful a much better preamp in existance.

 

That's a bit of a sweeping statement don't you think Data?

Michael.

 

Certainly consider the ATC. You could also consider the Arcam FMJ C30.

 

it was a bit open ended....doubtful...much better...

not absolute, possible, yes, better, maybe...

 

Belcanto Pre 1

 

you like bc dont' you Tony? THAT good?

 

Why not look at the Classe they are one of the quitest, sweet sounding amps around and one that also possess a stunning build quality. I have a cp 47.5 for sale at the moment in the classifieds section and you will save £££'s and have more than half left over. rrp was £2195 hifi-experience have a ex demo and is £1795 the only reason I want to sell is I want to go to there flagship model.

 

Prsonally, I go for no preamp (if you were just single source), just accquire a cdp with a pre-out, and get a much better power amp. the results can be most smile inducing

 

Once apon a time I did this, however I now have a turntable, CD and poo-ey AV

I have had a look at the Classe website, they seem to be AV Boys, making Stereo and there manufacturing process seems to be along the same styling as Meridien.

Thanx for comments so far

 

Primare also do the PRE30 which has been well rated. What do you mean by Classe's manufacturing process being along the same styling as Meridian? Do you mean they they have a similar style/appearance? I don't see what that has to do with manufacturing process.

Classe are most definitely a stereo first, AV second shop. FWIW the best sound I've ever heard from a sytem was with a full spread of Classe electronics. I'm pretty sure the B&W Nautilus (top of the range spiral jobbies) speakers had something to do with that though

Michael.

 

I would say try an Audio Research LS2, however you would then need a phono stage.

If you want really cheap and very very good, try and find an old Musical Fidelity 3B pre, from the late 80's. (standing by to duck)

Michael is correct Classe' are a very Stereo first outfit, also amongst the best sounding gear I have ever auditioned. I have a Classe' power amp that takes many many hundreds of £'s to better. Currently I have been trying a Classe' CD Player they are also excellent sounding.

Ken

 

Classe is renouned for hi end equipment -

I can assure you this is a HI-END HI-FI pre amplifier (read the reviews), this is made primarily for hi end set ups and NOT AV set up's, it has partnered my Krell power amplifier with no issues or concerns at all!!

Thanks Michael and Ken for your input, I thought I may not of been the odd one out

 

Also Bryston BP25.

 

Try Plinius M8

 

My Border Patrol Control Unit [pre-amp to you and I] is arriving soon. The cheapest phono-stage-less version is £1750. I understand the price will be rising soon to about £2000.

Auditioning it I didn't think it sounded worse than a Kondo one I'd heard a month before, which no doubt was many times more expensive. It has five inputs, two outputs and a volume control and that's about it.

I don't think BP have many dealers, but I know Definitive Audio in Long Eaton nr Nottingham stock them [I'm getting mine from there], as do the Sound Practice in St Albans.

Worth a try if valves are your thing, I think.

Hope you get what you want.

Paul

 

How about a S/H Musical Fidelity MVT ? If you can get hold of one that is. Probably be under £500 these days, (were list of £2k +). Or an F2 tube hybrid preamp.

GTM

 

How about an electrocompaniet 4.7pre? currently on sale with a 120awb power? Top class condition

 

LCD,

Its one of those misunderstood pieces, that really can be damn good, can be had used for about $1000, easy voltage conversion, balanced in's out.
The newer vesion is better (alledged), however for £128 of internal reconstruction ,I'll stick it up against whats been posted on this thread

 

do you deal in them perchance moderate the post