Pre-amplifier Options

[///M5 2,833]

I need a pre-amp and pretty quick. It doesn't need a phono stage, just a volume knob. Passive would be fine and perhaps even preferred. I don't plan on keeping it very long or if I do it will be relegated to office/bedroom/garage duty. Something that is already depreciated so I wouldn't lose on buying it would be perfect. So if anyone has any recommendations or anything for sale let me know. I am open to about anything. I would prefer to spend less than $300 but don't want something super disposable either. If there was a cheap solution, in particular that was portable that could be sweet too. The current application is just as a source (single) for the whole house stereo while I sell it. It will be connected to most likely satellite radio via an M-audio sound card.

[JimJ 11]

I see used Adcom pre's selling for under $300 all the time...you can probably find used Bottlehead Foreplay 2's on Audiogon for under 3 Benjamins, but that may be too nice for what you're using it for

Passive "preamps" have their own quirks, using transformers instead of just pots gets around most of the output impedance problems but the cheapest TVC I know of is the Promitheus TVC....gets rave reviews but at $320 is a little higher than your budget.

[///M5 2,833]

I am sort of Adcom'd out. If another one hit me in the face I'd bring it home though I suppose. Oh by the way, no such thing as too nice and my budget is flexible. If there were a reasonable solution for much less I'd do it, but if it is nice enough I may keep it for a while. It could become the office pre-amp.

[JimJ 11]

Google Promitheus TVC. People seem to love 'em, I was considering buying one until the ARC SP-9MKII came along and blew that budget out of the water

There's a guy on another board I'm on who's selling a Counterpoint SA-3 tubed pre for $300, I asked for pics, might be another good option if it's in decent shape.

[///M5 2,833]

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?pre...&1179463954

?? I assume that would be a decent passive, but couldn't find details searching.

*goes to google

[JimJ 11]

Looks good!

Anything with tone controls gets sneers from the audiophool crowd...eff 'em, probably sounds great

[///M5 2,833]

Sexy:

Begs for big aluminum knobs though.

[///M5 2,833]

Looks good!

Anything with tone controls gets sneers from the audiophool crowd...eff 'em, probably sounds great

I'd prefer not anyways, using a pc as a source I will have more than plenty of tuning options.

[JimJ 11]

Sexy:

Begs for big aluminum knobs though.

I also hesistated on it because my amps have wood sides, the cabinet is wood, the last thing I needed was a wooden preamp

Parts Connexion (sp?) has the big sexy aluminum knobs