fubar1764
Active member
Help with pre-amp choice!
Howdy Folks!
Ok, old Denon receiver is finally dying! :rocker: Now, I can finally get the separates system I want.
I've got a set of Aerius i's. (Under)powered them with a 20+y.o. Denon. Now, I just picked up an Adcom 545II (a friend has the older 555 powering Acoustats, and they sound fantastic). I'm thinking of an Adcom preamp as well. I'm thinking of the GTP-500II or GTP-450. The missus requires a remote, I require either no HT or at least a pass through circuit so I don't have to have HT if I don't want it.
Sidebar: I really don't like HT. It might seem like a great idea, but I've always found the sound distracting unless you're sitting at exactly the right sweet spot. If you're not, then one channel always predominates over the others, particularly the rears or nearfields. With properly set up 2ch, you don't need a center.
So, what preamp should I get? I've heard great things about the older Adcoms. My friend's is nearly a passive preamp and nearly a pass-through. I'm pretty sure I'd prefer older gear because I have this prejudice that the older equiment from the late 80s up to mid 90s were very well built, with quality dropping thereafter.
Budget. Not sure yet, but I'm a bargain hunter. I paid retail for my DVDO iScan Pro and thought I got a bargain. Sell me a new Bose Acoustamass at 50% off (hell, offer to give it to me) on the condition that I can't ever resell it or give it to someone, I'll pass. Mind you, I don't think I'm going to go crazy and pick up a Theta Digital Casablanca - that's a bit out of my price range. But, I might get talked into a Creek!
Ok. Did I clarify what I'm looking for or does my post sound like it came out of kazoo? A clear kazoo at least?
To recap: want preamp. Drive Aerius i's (non biwire) via Adcom GFA-545II. Budget depends, looking for good bang/buck ratio. Mostly 2ch, rarely 5ch. Likely add a sub via a passive crossover much much later in the future.
Oh yeah. Prefer American or English. Just tend to like the warmer sound. Japanese equipment just seems too mechanical to me.
Howdy Folks!
Ok, old Denon receiver is finally dying! :rocker: Now, I can finally get the separates system I want.
I've got a set of Aerius i's. (Under)powered them with a 20+y.o. Denon. Now, I just picked up an Adcom 545II (a friend has the older 555 powering Acoustats, and they sound fantastic). I'm thinking of an Adcom preamp as well. I'm thinking of the GTP-500II or GTP-450. The missus requires a remote, I require either no HT or at least a pass through circuit so I don't have to have HT if I don't want it.
Sidebar: I really don't like HT. It might seem like a great idea, but I've always found the sound distracting unless you're sitting at exactly the right sweet spot. If you're not, then one channel always predominates over the others, particularly the rears or nearfields. With properly set up 2ch, you don't need a center.
So, what preamp should I get? I've heard great things about the older Adcoms. My friend's is nearly a passive preamp and nearly a pass-through. I'm pretty sure I'd prefer older gear because I have this prejudice that the older equiment from the late 80s up to mid 90s were very well built, with quality dropping thereafter.
Budget. Not sure yet, but I'm a bargain hunter. I paid retail for my DVDO iScan Pro and thought I got a bargain. Sell me a new Bose Acoustamass at 50% off (hell, offer to give it to me) on the condition that I can't ever resell it or give it to someone, I'll pass. Mind you, I don't think I'm going to go crazy and pick up a Theta Digital Casablanca - that's a bit out of my price range. But, I might get talked into a Creek!
Ok. Did I clarify what I'm looking for or does my post sound like it came out of kazoo? A clear kazoo at least?
To recap: want preamp. Drive Aerius i's (non biwire) via Adcom GFA-545II. Budget depends, looking for good bang/buck ratio. Mostly 2ch, rarely 5ch. Likely add a sub via a passive crossover much much later in the future.
Oh yeah. Prefer American or English. Just tend to like the warmer sound. Japanese equipment just seems too mechanical to me.
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