pre amp advice

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  • 01-20-2009, 02:16 PM
    JQ1666
    pre amp advice
    a good preamp (<500.00) to go with my sonance 260 x 3 mkII
  • 01-20-2009, 02:59 PM
    $500, is that for second-hand, or new?
  • 01-20-2009, 03:33 PM
    Mr Peabody
    You said x3, are you looking for home theater? For under 500 you will need to look for a receiver that offers preamp outs if so. Doubtful you'll find a preamp for that budget. If stereo on the used market there are some pretty good options, check www.audiogon.com
  • 01-20-2009, 03:42 PM
    blackraven
  • 01-20-2009, 05:49 PM
    JQ1666
    thanks
    I am looking for used and need phono inputs
    the sonance is a 260x3 mkII, I plan on running front and rear stereo speakers and a subwoofer, I have some good options here, anyone else wanna weigh in? I appreciate the help
  • 01-20-2009, 08:07 PM
    blackraven
    Buy a seperate phono preamp http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Phono-Preamps.

    Parasound has the NewClassic 2100 preamp with phono and MP3 inputs. Sells for $649 new, you might be able to find it used for less.

    That Parasound Halo P3 that is listed on audiogon has phono preamp as well as XLR in/out.
  • 01-23-2009, 02:05 PM
    Glen B
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JQ1666
    I plan on running front and rear stereo speakers and a subwoofer, I have some good options here, anyone else wanna weigh in? I appreciate the help

    Then you're wasting time looking at 2-channel preamps. A budget of $500 is not going to cut it for more than 2 channels, even on the used market, unless you want some really old, outdated pre/processor that probably has only Dolby Pro Logic.

    You can't even get an AVR with full set of preouts for $500. Only the more expensive receivers in most manufacturers model lineup (usually greater than $500) come with preouts for all channels; their lower end models usually have only subwoofer outputs. I paid $899 for my Onkyo TX-DS696 AVR several years ago and that was the least expensive model at the time with a full set of preouts.

    You will need to raise your budget if you hope to get something decent for multichannel (and that will give you decent 2-channel reproduction, if you're into that). You can get an Outlaw Model 970 pre/processor currently for $599, and you will need an outboard phono preamp, since the Outlaw does not have phono.

    http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/970.html
  • 01-23-2009, 03:50 PM
    blackraven
    Glen, the Onkyo TX SR806 has full pre outs for all channels and can be had for $599. I wouldnt hesitate buying the 806 for HT use and decent 2 ch audio.

    http://www.onkyousa.com/zoom.cfm?cla...er&m=TX-SR806# Click on rear view.
  • 01-23-2009, 10:22 PM
    Glen B
    Okay. but only because apparently prices have been lowered (new models coming ?). . The last time I looked at the prices of receivers, the SR806 was listed on Crutchfield's website at $999.00 retail. Now I see they are being deeply discounted.