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Finding a preamp has definitely been the most difficult choice for me recently. My table, an HR-X, my phono, a Steelhead, and digital source, a DV-50, have all been easy. My amplifier is a Sonic Frontiers Power 2SE, which has been modded a bit to warm it up some. I've been using the Steelhead as my pre for awhile now, but I want a remote, balanced topology, and hopefully using the Steelhead with the fixed outputs will be a further improvement (though I am not sure, the thing is marvellous as is)..So, with say $3k, the used market is overflowing with good stuff. It seems to me (and anyone else?) that the used market is in the dumps. Things like Sonic Frontiers Line 3's are hovering just above $2k - which is insane considering the original price and known quality... however, I just sold my Line 2 SE, and I'm not convinced about buying a Line 3.
My first choice now is a new preamp from Bent, the transformer based passive NOH. John Chapman is a wonderful person to talk to, and I have great faith in his product. However, I don't know what kind of resale I could expect..
Otherwise, I am all over the board..
Pass X-1
Any of the various BATs
Electra Joule LA-100
Many of the ARCs.
On and on..For your money, where would you put it?
Follow Ups:
and see if there is a possiblity of adding remote volume control to the Steelhead. I seem to recall that they were working on something with a remote volume control.
A couple of issues ago, maybe end of last year or this past spring, The Absolute Sound had HP's picks for best preamps. You may be able to find one or more of those in your price range.
The Bent gets my vote. I have a custom full function preamp that Kevin Carter built for me and it uses the TX-102 transformers as a volume control. I can't say enough about the sound of this thing. I don't think you will be disappointed with a TVC.
It might cost you a bit over your budget but I've gotten one (a dealer demo) and I would put it up against my ARC Ref2. Detail, great bass and dead quiet (especially considering it has those nasty tubes in it). Definitely put it on your auditioning list.
I have got the new NOH a couple of weeks ago. It is amazingly transparent, clean and revealing pre. No coloration, no own character at all. And it is so simple - just two transformers and three switches. I heard, JC has got a traveling TX102, you might borrow it to evaluate it in your system.
Mine will stay with me for many years, so I am not worried about its resale value.
I hope this helps, greetings, JJ
Last week I saw one new Bent X-102 silver for only around $800-900
It is only a kit with the basics. The kit hasn't been touched apparently, but for $100, I'd rather buy a new kit with the options I want from John. However, all things being equal, I'd rather have him build it as well.
I was so went with the Pass X1. Not looking back, best SS preamp i have listened to. If you got an extra 2k buy a used X0.2
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If you can find one, give the First Sound Presence Deluxe MKII a listen. Take a look at the SoundStage Review. The current model is much improved over the one reviewed in 2000. There are two on AudioGon. One is $2,700. The other is $2,200. I bought one a couple weeks ago and am very happy with it. Emmanual Go at First Sound is very helpful.
I'm also looking at upgrading my pre-amp and am also looking at similar alternatives. Does the First Sound Presense Deluxe II offer balanced inputs and outputs (possibly as an option)? I was under the impression that it was single ended only? Like the original poster, I too need balanced topology.
Just about anything you want is an option. Just call Emmanuel. However, you are right. The standard model is single ended.
Go with BAT. Great company---great products and great service. I bought a VK 50SE and could not be happier.
I've tried the BAT VK-5i in some pretty nice systems and it was always highly enjoyable. I like it better than the Sonic Frontiers Line 1 and 2 (haven't spent enough time with the Line 3 so I won't say on that one. But if I was placing a bet for my own system, I'd go to the BAT).The only possible hindrance I can think is that it's a balanced input only proposition,...but BAT also sell very nice adapters rca/xlr (these *are* nice, a very tidy design).
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