Amp/Preamp Asylum

vintage or other pre for small sytem

205.188.116.141

mothra

right now i am using a pas II in my bedroom system that i recapped. Not bad, but i am wondering if another vintage piece or used peice or maybe even diy would serve better. The trouble with this is that if it doesn't have a pretty good phono section than maybe i don't want to use it because i would just spend the money on a phone section.

I want to stay cheap as i am poor and throw what money i have at my big system. there is so much used stuff around it blows my mind, so i thought i would just ask if anyone thinks there are bargains or sleepers out ther I should look at. 500 bucks used maybe?

Follow Ups:

RE: vintage or other pre for small sytem - Dave Pogue 04:20:02 09/12/08 (0)
Keep your eye out for a Sanyo Plus-series C55 preamp. It's been my backup pre for years. Once you get over the shame of owning a Sanyo, you'll enjoy its phono capabilities (MM and MC) and its rather astonishing flexibility. Mine cost $75 on Agon and, no, you can't have it :-)
I vote for vintage..... - Scottrt 19:36:59 09/11/08 (0)
My vote is for vintage from the golden day. This Intgrated has a very good phono stage, fantastic sound and great build. No afffiliation the the one shown below, but I own a couple of them and 3 friends have bought them for 2nd systems after hearing mine.

Scott T.
- http://cgi.ebay.com/SANSUI-AU-717-VINTAGE-AMPLIFIER-170-WATTS-AMP-NICE_W0QQitemZ260284359277QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260284359277&_trkparms=72%3A1163%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 (Open in New Window)
vintage or other pre for small sytem - Interstage Tranny 16:57:28 09/11/08 (0)
DIY or modifying accessible gear isthe way to go. Your dark sounding PAS 2 can become quite the stunner with light mods. In fact, that sweet phono stage is overshadowed by the factory's idea of a line stage. However, the Dyna tone controls are poo, plus the power supply is wimpy. Bypassing the tone controls, upgrading the volume control, increasing power supply capacitance will all yield better detailed, faster sonics.

My reference phonostage is the Shure M65, with tweaked RIAA cap values and beefed up power supply. Running into my Eico HF-85 or Lafayette KT-600 or ARC SP2 line stage proves the Shure unit's superiority. The M65 can be had, with the rare shiny chrome chassis, for under $300. on epay. Possibly, the newer Hagerman Cornet and CornetII deserve your interest. The Asylum builders and users rave about this one. One caveat is in order, though. These use Passive EQ, rather than the feedback EQ, as in our PAS and Shure. The passive EQ can sound, well, different. I like many older discs, which were cut with feedback network equipped cutter amps. Thus, I seem to prefer the feedback EQ as most natural sounding. I am still interested in this Hagerman circuitry, though.

Another pleasant surprise of a preamp was using an original Phase Linear 2000 with my tube amps. My suggestions might save you big bucks, better $$$ for software or phono carts...ENJOY !

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