High End Pre Amp with Tone Controls

[dogorman]

I've little experience with B&K,personally, but a lot of people seem really impressed. Between the B&K, the Arcam, and the Quad, you'd certainly have a wide range of sonic signatures.

[jim1961]

I've little experience with B&K,personally, but a lot of people seem really impressed. Between the B&K, the Arcam, and the Quad, you'd certainly have a wide range of sonic signatures.

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.

[Glen B]

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

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.

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.

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.