Recommend me a preamp please?

[Edwardlon]

So a friend has lent me an Azur 840e preamp and I'm blown away. Really opened up the sound, increased dynamics, fluid, fast, natural, accurate, 3d etc.

Source is digital (mainly redbook FLAC) to a NOS DAC and power amp is newly built Radford Revival STA25s driving PMC LB1 Signatures.

The band is playing in front of me in my sitting room!

I need to return the Azur 840e at some point and don't fancy going back to the passive preamp I was using (nice that it is).

So what to get?

Only need 2 or 3 line level inputs (I already have a dedicated phono stage), ideally with remote control for volume. As good as or better than the Azur 840e.

Budget - variable - lets say up to £1k. New or preloved.

cheers

[Dynamics]

Obvious one is a newer Cambridge audio pre if you get good results with CA. I spotted this one for you, £300 off.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/.../camb-851d-blk

Then if you are spending a grand, the cyrus pre 2 dac is good, for a detailed and dynamic fast paced sound. Some are above this price but with a dealer discount you'd get it for £1k I reckon. I use cyrus with pmc to good effect.

Or naim, you'd get a nice warm sound . Something like this might be achievable at a grand

http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/nai...ifier-210.aspx

It's regrettable that lots of good makes don't do pre amps at certain prices, or any pre amps at all, but I think Cambridge audio, cyrus and naim are pretty flexible to offer different price pre amps.

I'd reckon Cambridge audio are closer to the cyrus sound than naim. But it looks like that richer sounds amp could be a bargain particularly as it's likely to sound better than the older model you tried.

[Edwardlon]

Thanks Simon. Plenty of food for thought.

Indeed getting a newer CA Azur is one my possible options. The self same friend has a 851N (the streamer dac) which is essentially like the 851D you mentioned. Wonderful unit. But of course only digital inputs. Getting the dedicated preamp on top of that (the 851E) becomes rather expensive

One idea is to get the 851n and dispense with my current DAC and live without any analogue inputs.

The Naim and Cyrus ideas are good. I need to research more on that. One other idea is to go down the Croft route.

I have also been considering the RME ADI2-Pro which gives lots of functions with first class sound, but sadly no remote control. Also would be paying for ADC function which realistically I would not use much.

[Pharos]

I have an AVI S2000 to sell, my having changed it for an ATC SCA2. (At great expense)

The figures are stunning and in fact better than the ATC, as is the build quality surprisingly. It is a relatively recent one and I have fitted a new larger Alps pot, it also has an excellent phono stage.

Judging by the names mentioned I think it may not be your cup of tea, being SS.

[Edwardlon]

Thanks Dennis

I know the AVI name but never heard their equipment. Please could you give me some more details. If you have a price in mind feel free to speak up (or send me a PM if you prefer).

Is the Alps pot remote controlled?

Except for the Croft all the other names are SS so I don't see that as an issue.

cheers

[walpurgis]

I have an AVI S2000 to sell,

I had one of those twenty years or so ago.

[topoxforddoc]

If you can stretch to 1500 notes, there is a serviced TRON Seven line stage for sale on PFM. That's a truly high end pre amp for an excellent price. Build quality is dare I say it, even better than the Radford (I have an original Radford STA15/3 as well as TRON gear for comparison). You won't need to upgrade your preamp ever after that.
Charlie

[Edwardlon]

If you can stretch to 1500 notes, there is a serviced TRON Seven line stage for sale on PFM. That's a truly high end pre amp for an excellent price. Build quality is dare I say it, even better than the Radford (I have an original Radford STA15/3 as well as TRON gear for comparison). You won't need to upgrade your preamp ever after that.
Charlie

Indeed the GT Tron preamp seems to be lovingly built and I have nothing but good on the excellent sound Graham Tricker is able to achieve. However it seems to me that I would be paying lots for a phono stage whcih I don't need and the Tron premap does not have a volume remote (purists of course would scoff at the idea of having a remote on a Tron of course).

When you've made your selection, I'd love to hear your impressions of it, a full review. I too am shopping for a preamp. My present is a Parasound Halo 3. Lots of inputs, the internal phono sounds good, although I don't use it, balanced outs. Remote control! I hate to say that is my number one requirement. I have no use for a none remote unit. But it's not up to the rest of my gear, and I am completely overwhelmed at choosing a replacement. I've heard that a nice tube preamp can add much life to a solid state rig. I may venture in that direction next?

Certainly will do - but I tend to be slow in making decisions. Your Parasound looks great.

I already have valves in my audio path (the Radford STA25), I'm not so sure adding another valve item in my audio path will enhance things much.

[lewis]

Indeed the GT Tron preamp seems to be lovingly built and I have nothing but good on the excellent sound Graham Tricker is able to achieve. However it seems to me that I would be paying lots for a phono stage whcih I don't need and the Tron premap does not have a volume remote (purists of course would scoff at the idea of having a remote on a Tron of course).



Certainly will do - but I tend to be slow in making decisions. Your Parasound looks great.

I already have valves in my audio path (the Radford STA25), I'm not so sure adding another valve item in my audio path will enhance things much.

FWIW the Tron is the line stage, and does not have a phono stage. The Tron is a top quality piece of kit, and although it sounds superb, i'm only selling because my dream preamp has become available, and should be a better match to my 861 power amp that i'm rather fond of
Paul (reffc) has a Tron / Radford combo that he is also rather fond of !

[ekfc63]

A Teddy Pardo PR1 replaced my Naim 52/Supercap. Don't miss the Naim gear one bit. Given the new price of the PR1 (1k sterling) it has to be a bargain.