High End Pre Amp with Tone Controls

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Originally Posted by jim1961

Found a AR sp-4 for $350 Any thoughts?

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The first "analog module" SS ARC stuff (SP-4, D-100) was horrible! Harry Pearson raked those products over the coals when they were released (remember he liked their previous work and considered the SP-3a SOTA). Similarly, I have been an ARC fan for decades having purchased my first preamp from them in 1981. It was an SP-6 which was Bill Johnson's answer to the constructive criticism of the SP-4. I use an SP-9 MKIII to this day. Great stuff.

rw

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Originally Posted by jim1961

How much better was the Classe pre amp over the B&K?

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I went from the B&K to a Classé CP-45. Not a huge jump but noticeable. The Classé was more transparent, had lower grain, more natural timbre and a bigger soundstage. I upgraded later to the CP-50. That was a significant improvement over the CP-45.

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Originally Posted by jim1961

While im sure thats true, I havent the faintest what they are since ive never heard a single product from any of them, much less the specific models im interested in. I suppose in the end, its a crap shoot on my part, but I see no other way.

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The B&K PRO-10MC Sonata was a reviewer favorite among a number of mags during the 1980s including Stereophile and The $ensible Sound. The PRO-10MC Sonata was mainly a stripped down version of the MC-101 sans tone controls. Both preamps were based on the same chassis, PC board and outboard power supply. The MC-101 got a very good review in the now-defunct Hi-Fi Heretic magazine. I don't think you would be disappointed with the MC-101, especially in light of your budget.

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Originally Posted by jim1961

I have a Hafler DH-110 Pre Amp and would like to find something better. I have about $450 to spend and would be open to something used. I have a Classe CA-100 Power Amp and a Rega Apollo cd player. A line stage unit would be fine for I have no vinyl.

Recommendations?

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refurbished 449.00 + shipping (will put a bit over budget)
full warranty factory authorized dealer.
tone controls can be defeated with a push of a button.
I have one of the refurbished units myself from the same dealer and just love it.
And if you ever get into vinyl it will be ready for both cartridges MM & MC
Great for bi-amping I use the adjustable bi-amp outputs for the subs.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4...0-C162_3_4.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4...-C162_rear.jpg
you can read all about it here:
http://nadelectronics.com/products/h...o-Preamplifier
and get it here new or refurbished:
http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/C162.asp

What's this, you say? An NAD component that ever needed to be refurbished? Gosh, I didn't think NAD equipment ever broke in the first place! Who ever heard of a broken piece of audio equipment made by NAD???

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Originally Posted by dogorman

What's this, you say? An NAD component that ever needed to be refurbished? Gosh, I didn't think NAD equipment ever broke in the first place! Who ever heard of a broken piece of audio equipment made by NAD???

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Yeah I don't know
Mine looked and smelled brand new.
here is what spearit sound says about them:
http://www.spearitsound.com/refurbished.htm

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Originally Posted by BRANDONH

Yeah I don't know
Mine looked and smelled brand new.
here is what spearit sound says about them:
http://www.spearitsound.com/refurbished.htm

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Thanks Brandonh, the description of "refurbished" is excellent.

And it mentions one use of refurbished that is quite key in my opinion: "Brand new overstocked items are also labeled factory refurbished." In fact, the refurbished units are not necessarily even overstocks.

Are you familiar with the concept of "market stratification"? It means finding ways to charge extra to those people who are willing to pay more while not forfeiting revenue from those who are willing to pay only a lessor amount. That is, you'd really like two prices for (more-or-less) the same product. There are many devices for doing this. E.g. Need an airline ticket at the last moment? Fine, but you have to pay a higher price.

So ... if you selling electronics maybe you sell your "new" stuff through regular brick & mortar retailers, and "refurbished" stuff, (which is exactly the same in reality), through an online retailer