Old school 2 channel pre-amp suggestions...

[KFC911]

So I'm in the process of putting my vintage 2 channel "wall of sound" system back together and need some "rea$onable" preamplifier suggestions. It's been years since I'd visited Audiogon, but I just don't have the time (nor $$$) for that crowd. I "think" I want to go with a tube pre (this time around) in a vintage 80s Solid State system (Carver amps, etc.) that requires LOTs of power, but it's all about trade-offs, so...a good SS preamp is probably what I'll end up with. 2-channel stereo (plus GAIN) is what I'm all about, with a few digital inputs (optical/coax) and a decent DAC converter too would be a bonus. Is there anything out there....I know Webby (dark and tanned by now I presume) is a fan of his Sunfire (Carver) pre. Can't afford a true wall-of-sound (MacIntosh tubes)...so don't even go there fellows . I know there are some real audio guys on here, so let's have some suggestions....thanks!

[Ayles]

You want a vintage tube pre, that right there is going to give you gain issues with your digital components. The tube pres will be too much gain. Think full volume before the knob is at 12 o clock.

I run a 35 yo Audio Research SP6a in a purely analog system.

[creaturecat]

i use a solid state Mcintosh.
it seems to be more than adequate for my aging ears.

[greglepore]

I have a Carver pre w/ a good outboard dac in a similar setup to yours, and it sounds fine to me, but if you want to try tubes, I'd look for a hotrodded Dynaco. Had one, sounded great. Disappeared during a divorce.

[Rickysa]

i use a solid state Mcintosh

Same here.

[Rusty Heap]

Big Time Carver / Sunfire gear owner. love the stuff.

I may have some pieces of each line for sale (preamp/amps and receivers) if you're interest PM me.

Carver CT-17 was one of my favorite preamps, Sunfire Cinema Grand line too.

[KFC911]

As usual, I knew I came to the right place! Thanks guys....a little about the guts of my "old" setup...Vintage Polk SDA 1.2s bi-amped/bi-wired with two Carver 1.0t (bridged mono...1000 watts/ch.) as fronts and Polk SDA 2.3s (1 Carver 4.0t bridged stereo 400 w/ch). Ran it HARD, HARD, HARD, and put away WET for more than a dozen years...the 1.0s were NEVER powered down....I finally FRIED 'em and they each sizzled while the house was a rockin' . So I'm downsizing to the Polk 2.3s and (for now) just the Carver 4.0t. I'm liking the Carver pre and Mcintosh suggestions....specific models? Rusty....I'm definintely interested. Some years back there was a fellow in the Seattle area that used to "hot rod" Carver 1.0t (as I recall) and made 'em "sweeter"....wonder if he's still going? Keep those suggestions coming guys...appreciate it!!!

ps: Anyone interested in a couple of 5.5' 170 lb Polks....still awesome to these ears? Shhh...don't let Ian see this thread

[MysticLlama]

Be careful when hooking stuff up again on the SDAs, because of the crossover cable, they only like common ground amps, and two amps bridged mono doesn't give you that, you'd need a special adapter.

The better way would be to bi-amp them with both the carvers running stereo, one for high input, one for low.

I have the "small" model after the SDAs, the SRS 3.1sTLs, on a Carver m1.5 with a Rotel preamp.

[KFC911]

Thanks Rob! Before I let anything go, I've still got 3 sets of SDAs, and I'm keeping the interconnect that came with the 1.2s (w/ the adapter for non-common grounds amps) so I'm covered there....just ran that cable under the crawl space of my "listening room" with about 3-4 inches to spare....whew ). This place is awesome...."for now" I'll just be using one amp though...

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by KC911

Shhh...don't let Ian see this thread

Too late.

And this is what you need: Statement I might be able to get you a deal . . .

But really, you have to decide what you want to do with it. You can have a simple preamp with phono & analogue inputs. You could have a digital preamp with USB, Spdif & analogue inputs and its own DAC. You can have a Streaming preamp that has the digital pre feature set plus WiFi capability to pull music from every digital source in your house and music services like Spotify & Tidal.

Ian

[Rusty Heap]

My past rumble fest.


Twin Carver mono PM 1.5's, into the Carver Platinum speakers (sonically stunning) Sunfire subs, 2700 watts in a 11" cube, and a 1500 sub for surround. Yes I have 4000 watt of 20 hz accurate subs in my 70" 4K media room. Main Carver and Surrounds ran about 7-10k's watts total. But those 60" carver ribbons are pretty inefficient, maybe 87 db 1w/1mter.

I've used many carver/sufire amps than I can mention (anyone want a Theater Grand Sunfire 5X 200 watts) matching pre-amp too?

Sunfire ribbon tweeters hard to beat. Subs fill in the low range.

yummy

(glad I live on remote 5 acres as in-city apartment neighbors would bring flaming torches and pitchforks)

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by KC911

Some years back there was a fellow in the Seattle area that used to "hot rod" Carver 1.0t (as I recall) and made 'em "sweeter"....wonder if he's still going? Keep those suggestions coming guys...appreciate it!!!

Could it have been Bob Carver himself? I know he's local to Seattle.

[imcarthur]

On Audiogon, the Belles & the Parasound in solid state caught my eye for cheap & good. In tubes, well . . . nothing under $1500.

Ian

[908/930]

Not sure you can find any tube pre amps with digital inputs at a reasonable price, most tube pre's are just that, no digital. You possibly need to decide what you are really after, s/s will usually give you better base and bottom end control, tubes possibly nicer mid and highs, if you are after volume go s/s.
You didn't set a price point, there are usually some good deals on argon.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

....But really, you have to decide what you want to do with it. ....

Thanks Ian! I primarily want to access thousands of cds, so here's my "poor man's version": 6 optical inputs, 1 RCA input, 2 channels and a DAC (outboard?). Did I mention that I was CHEAP . What ya got?

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

....Twin Carver mono PM 1.5's, into the Carver Platinum speakers (sonically stunning) ....

Sunfire ribbon tweeters hard to beat. Subs fill in the low range.
....)

I've never heard "ribbons", but have read some awewome opinions of Carver's "amazing" speakers before....drool

Originally Posted by Ayles

Could it have been Bob Carver himself? I know he's local to Seattle.

I think it was a former technician from Carver's original operation (before Sunfire)...

Originally Posted by imcarthur

On Audiogon, the Belles & the Parasound in solid state caught my eye for cheap & good. In tubes, well . . . nothing under $1500.

Ian

I'll check them out later...THANKS!!!

Originally Posted by 908/930

.... You didn't set a price point, there are usually some good deals on argon.

So a "good" SS pre is what I'm after now...I'll begin to get serious about finding one. Every brand name mentioned in this thread is "worthy" imo, so it's just a matter of that last little item you mentioned . I appreciate all of the input so far, I'll be back later...

[Eric Coffey]

For a simple 2-ch. SS pre, I like the Classe' CP-60. Very neutral and a low noise floor with outboard power supply & balanced ins/out (worthwhile option if you are dealing with long cable runs under your crawl space). Or you might look at the Bryston BP-25. It can be had for a bit less, but has nearly identical features (including the balanced ins/out & outboard power supply). Both companies have newer variants available, but that doesn't always translate to "better" (YMMV there). Of course if you have the means, the classic Levinson 380S will not disappoint either.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

For a simple 2-ch. SS pre, I like the Classe' CP-60. Very neutral and a low noise floor with outboard power supply & balanced ins/out (worthwhile option if you are dealing with long cable runs under your crawl space). Or you might look at the Bryston BP-25. It can be had for a bit less, but has nearly identical features (including the balanced ins/out & outboard power supply). Both companies have newer variants available, but that doesn't always translate to "better" (YMMV there). Of course if you have the means, the classic Levinson 380S will not disappoint either.

Thanks Eric! I'm sure you (and Ian et al) could suggest quite a few that wouldn't disappoint . Bry$ton is one I'll look into, but I'm quite sure the Cla$$e and Levin$on are out of my league....along with anything else from your background in the audio stratosphere

I use the "redneck" method of balancing my outs....equal cable legnths
Not gonna use my big beefy 7'ers again....but these "were" my 20' or so runs to the rears (now mains) before...no problems (to my ears).

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Too late.

And this is what you need: Statement I might be able to get you a deal . . .

Ian

If I ever hit the lottery I will be contacting you!

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

If I ever hit the lottery I will be contacting you!

I will wait by the phone.

Ian

[jhc]

I had a Peachtree Audio Nova Pre ($800 new), a hybrid tube pre-amp into a Craigslist score Parasound (free!) HT 5.1 amp that I bridged into 300 WPC 2 channel that sounded great. It only had one set of analog in, multiple digital inputs and no phono. The tube feature was switchable on and off and I thought it was a gimmick but the built in DAC was very good.
I also wanted to attach a turntable and have a DAC for streaming audio in a tube pre-amp, the only thing I could find that was semi affordable was the C2500 McIntosh which I am using now with a MC352, but it is overkill for my needs. Very easy to go overboard on this.