A suitable make-do pre

[muffinman]

Hi again
I'm currently tinkering with the idea of returning to semi-solid state (keeping the WD ph3s).
I have a pair of quad monos but don't really have the funds to stretch to a 99 pre - the cheapest i've found is £650+
what i do have the realistic option of is either an audiolab 8000q (new) @ £250
or a cyrus pre 6vs (ex dem) @ £300
either will be a make-do option, just to test the water, and hopefully they'll hold some resale value if i move on

so, anyone got any views / horror stories about either of these puppies?

[John]

If you willing to go passive then try this link its a bit out of your price range but in the right system stunning perhaps not so easy to resale because hardly anyone here knows them but hand wound transformers at this price is crazy value
http://www.acousticperfection.co.uk/

[muffinman]

Thanks for the reply John,
It does look a very good prospect but, as you say,a bit steep.
my budget will go back up and when it does i'll include it in the (no doubt enormous) list :doh:

Another reason i'm looking at pre power / solid state is that my kit6550 blew a cap or 2 a while back and i didn't get round to getting it repaired due to other priorities.
I got a s/h marantz pm7200 in the interim and whilst it was not a patch on the WaD, it still did it's job in an efficient manner.
Ultimately it gave me time to breathe and realise that music can be enjoyable without constantly searching for x
when the amp gets back from the dr's and i try it opposite a pretty fair (in all honesty) pre power i think i'll be in a better position to know which way to proceed.

or not

[Ali Tait]

If you want a cheap amp that's very good,look at the Hlly tripath amps on ebay.They are excellent,and I believe they have just bought a preamp out.

[Maximum]

A lot of people rave about the lightspeed attenuators. They are a cheap and simple but a very elegant solution, as long as you don't suffer any impedance issues.

[muffinman]

I got the cyrus and all is well but i think i'll still move the pre power system on.

On that front a chap has offered me a swap - his year old marantz pm 15 s1 for my pair of quad monos
I think the swap is fair price wise but was hoping someone here may have views on the marantz as i don't have the opportunity to hear it in my system

[DSJR]

Mr Cawley sells loads I understand and rates them and the chap who sold me his AVI preamp last year replaced his AVI/Allner Hamblin pre-power with a Marantz and loved it.

I'm still a good used Quad fan. I've read on the Yahoo Quad group that they've downgraded the caps in the 909 though and the performance doesn't seem as good as it once was because of this.. A 66 or 77 pre with 606-2 or 707 power would be lovely and sweet.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do...

[muffinman]

Cheers Dave
the more informed i am the better. ultimately i want to be able to shift it with no loss if i don't like it . and this is all part of lessening the risk.
Mind you, i'm expecting my kit6550 back in the next few weeks and this may all then seem a bit pointless :doh:

[DSJR]

I forgot, Big-Ears have a couple of Crofts for sale and they shouldn't cost you much when you sell 'em on..