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I did a quick look at this site seems that new preamps are more sought after then vintage is that the case? Just wondering. I know the price of preamps seem to have gone up thru the years.
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I have a collection of new and old solid state preamps. Like others have mentioned, some older ones still sound good and can be had for little $$$.
I prefer new components because I think they will be more reliable and also probably sound better. I have a vinyl and digital system, and my components are high-end. I'm seriously considering replacing my 12-year old Pass Labs gear with a new DAC/Preamp from Mytek. Digital has become very important to me and I have accumulated a significant library of Hi-Rez digital and DSD recordings, so the new Mytek Manhattan appears to be the perfect preamp for my purposes. It provides excellent digital flexibility in addition to a few analog inputs for my vinyl and other analog components. It even has an optional phono stage.
If you are more budget minded, Parasound just introduced a new reasonably priced preamp with phono, tone controls, and a built-in DAC. Based on my current experience with their Halo A21 power amplifier, I would think this new Parasound Halo P5 preamp might be an excellent value. It certainly has all the capabilities anyone could want.
Happy Holidays,
John Elison
generalize on this one. I do feel more newer pre's are lower noise and modern good quality caps make a big diff but you can use those caps on vintage gear too. The most important thing is synergy, getting only the amount of gain you need, too much makes a larger noise floor and is useless.
E
T
New seems like the best choice. My reference is a tube CJ ART but I have to say, the old tube Marantz 7 does pretty well in comparison. They both give me a ton of enjoyment. I like the 7c more than a Mac 22 I had awhile ago. The Mac was nice but the 7c has something special going for it.
You are a lucky soul for owning the CJ ART- I have always wanted to audition this preamp. My closest piece was the ACT2 Series- sublime...
Is your ART the I, II or III version?
Actually have the ART II and ART III (long lucky story).
Was your ACT2 the first or the "series 2" ?
Killer! you are twice, a lucky soul-
yes, it was a factory ACT2 Series2- paired w/ the CJ 350 SS power amp and Eggleston loudspeakers w/ Audience AU24 cables/cords all around.
I had the very good fortune of auditioning this system for 6months to 1 year, while visiting a local dealer/retailer back in 2007-2008.
One never forgets those kinds of days...
I like vintage but I'm not a "big" fan of vintage preamps and speakers. The only caveat with vintage preamps are tubed preamps. With only a select few of them that are totally restored and upgraded by a professional. If you go that route they can't be beat. But with a cost.The vintage SS stuff, and again I'm a vintage guy, is pretty crappy by todays standards. I don't feel it's worth it IMHO. Even cheap new SS preamps blow them away. Vintage pres have tons of controls, switches, contacts, etc... all adding to noise and sound degradation. Not to mention the ever present intermittent signal.
charles
Edits: 12/20/14
The old stuff is OK, but not great clarity.
After 1980'ish preamps started becoming 'high end'.
I really could live with my Audio research Sp-15 preamp. I paid $1,500 for it several years ago.
The newer AND better VAC Standard I bought used for $1,400.
Or the modern Bryston BP-26 I paid list for.
Now I had an Audio Research Sp-10 at the same time as the SP-15. And i would not have bothered to keep the SP-10.
Even though it is still selling for twice what i paid for the much better (IMO) SP-15.
So some preamps have a reputation... And others which are just as good, and even sound better, are still selling for peanuts.
It is all in what YOU want to hear.
Older preamp(s) are fine if you are building a vntage sytsem.
Otherwise, the newer models will very easily out perform!
Used preamps offer more bang for your buck if they are well maintained. Some folks like the apperance of older units.
On the other hand, the better new preamps will outperform any vintage model and some include desirable features not typically found in older units.
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