Amp/Preamp Asylum

Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

Return to Amp/Preamp Asylum


Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Budget preamp for Bel Canto S300

97.106.114.48

Posted on October 6, 2015 at 14:53:30
lockman
Audiophile

Posts: 91
Joined: September 10, 2001
I'm looking for a budget preamp to drive my Bel Canto S300 digital amp. A tube preamp is preferred. I have an Aric Audio 3.7 that uses 2 12AU7s and also has a good phono section however the output impedance is 100K ohms and I need a preamp with an output impedance of less than 1000 ohms.Budget is under $350.

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
Are you sure about that?, posted on October 6, 2015 at 19:12:44
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17263
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
I've never heard of a preamp with an output impedance of 100k ohms.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Are you sure about that?, posted on October 7, 2015 at 05:40:41
lockman
Audiophile

Posts: 91
Joined: September 10, 2001
Hi,

that is what the manufacturer told me (Aric) In any case it sounds thin and distorted driving the BelCanto. I had no trouble driving a hybrid pair of Blue Circle BC-2 monoblocks

 

RE: Are you sure about that?, posted on October 7, 2015 at 07:32:55
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17263
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
He probably meant the preamp wants a 100k ohm load or higher.

The BelCanto is a 10k ohm load. I can see a tubed preamp having trouble driving that.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Are you sure about that?, posted on October 7, 2015 at 10:59:56
lockman
Audiophile

Posts: 91
Joined: September 10, 2001
Thanks, that's quite possible. Do you happen to be Michael Trei, formerly employed by Sound By Singer? If so, you sold me my Krell KSA 80 and a pair of Apogee Calipers many years ago.

 

I have that same amp, posted on October 7, 2015 at 13:54:04
I was advised not to use a tube preamp. I also have the REF 500s, you'll be better with a good SS amp.

 

RE: I have that same amp, posted on October 7, 2015 at 16:03:40
lockman
Audiophile

Posts: 91
Joined: September 10, 2001
The previous owner used several Conrad Johnson tube preamps with it and said they were a great match. It comes down to the output impedance on the preamp. The Conrad Johnson preamps are about 660 ohms which is fine. I just need to find a decent budget preamp with an output impedance under 1K ohms. I am presently using the preamp section of a 70s vintage Kenwood KA-2002 integrated amp and it is working but obviously not an ideal match.

 

RE: Budget preamp for Bel Canto S300, posted on October 10, 2015 at 11:16:59
jimmycj
Audiophile

Posts: 1507
Joined: December 6, 2004
Unless you find a killer deal somewhere, $350 for a preamp is only going to do the amp is disservice

 

RE: Are you sure about that?, posted on October 12, 2015 at 08:54:39
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17263
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
No.

Tre' is my nickname given at birth.

.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Budget preamp for Bel Canto S300, posted on October 12, 2015 at 09:40:45
golgi
Audiophile

Posts: 275
Location: midwest USA
Joined: January 29, 2004
I've not heard the S300 amp in my system. However, I did get a chance to listen to the S300iu integrated amp in my system. I'm not sure if it was a function of the preamp section or what, but there was a greatly reduced air and transparency. Also the soundstage was reduced. This is in comparison to my old Rotel gear.

So, I would recommend trying different preamps until you find one that has good transparency and sound staging. Again, perhaps that was fixed with the S300 amp.

.
Main system- Rotel RCD950/Topping D90, Schiit Freya+ (GE 6SN7GTB tubes), Rotel RB981, Magnepan 10QR, Martin Logan Dynamo sub

Headphone system- Little Dot MKIII, Sennhesier HD6xx & HD 580,
iFi iPhono, Technics SL1210 MK2, Denon DL103R

 

RE: Budget preamp for Bel Canto S300, posted on October 15, 2015 at 13:08:13
djoffe
Manufacturer

Posts: 4
Location: South East United States
Joined: October 12, 2015
Take a look at the Akitika PR-101.
djoffe

 

RE: Budget preamp for Bel Canto S300, posted on October 15, 2015 at 21:29:24
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
If you can go with SS, maybe a used Parasound P3?
They should be available on the pre-loved market for about that.
The New P5 goes for about 1000$ give or take.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: I have that same amp, posted on October 15, 2015 at 21:33:54
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
I did some minor surgery on an even OLDER Kenwood KA-7100 integrated and used it as a preamp for quite a few years before saving for a much better (more flexible, anyway) NAD unit.

That ancient Kenwood is STILL being used by a Nephew for his Electric Guitar! If I still owned it, I'd RECAP the PS and make a fine garage system. I figure it's about 35 years old and counting.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Parasound P3 preamp, posted on October 18, 2015 at 05:52:58
roxymott
Audiophile

Posts: 433
Joined: June 9, 2004
I've had a Parasound P3 for years. Totally reliable and nice sounding. Not SOTA, but then who REALLY needs state of the art?

 

Page processed in 0.026 seconds.