Pre-Amp for Purity's

[dtopler]

Hey Guys,

I know the Purity's aren't too high up in the ML line, so people may not know too much here, but I'm looking for a pre-amp to hook them up to. Since the Purity's are self-powered, I don't need any amp (they connect via RCA to the preouts). Any recommendations for either a basic stereo pre-amp, or, possibly, a HT pre/processor? I really didn't want to spend more then $500, but I'm 100% willing to buy used. Is this even possible at this price range, or should I just get a receiver with pre-outs?

 

[JMAUSGP]

First WELCOME to ML panel land. If you are like many of us, Puritys will be just the first step in a long journey with panels. Since your budget is limited and you haven't told us whether you are a pure 2 channel person or whether you lean to Multi-channel or Home Theater, not too mention what kind of source you will want to listen too, vinyl, CD, SACD, DVDA, digital, chain saw, we really can't venture much in the way of a recommendation until we know more about what you plan to do with your new Puritys. If I was to venture a guess, and wanted to cover alot of bases, I would say go with a AVR like a Sony or Denon, you could configure it to meet any of the 3 uses that I already mentioned, and you could plug in any source you want. Going the AVR route would allow you to get a decent AVR for about $500 new or a fairly decent higher up the food chain model in the used category. Check out Audiogon for used AVRs and just search the net for best prices on new stuff, that would be after you listen to some AVRs at a local dealer, believe it or not some sound better at music, or HT stuff than others. In either case enjoy the ride.

 

[gmartan]

Hey Guys,

I know the Purity's aren't too high up in the ML line, so people may not know too much here, but I'm looking for a pre-amp to hook them up to. Since the Purity's are self-powered, I don't need any amp (they connect via RCA to the preouts). Any recommendations for either a basic stereo pre-amp, or, possibly, a HT pre/processor? I really didn't want to spend more then $500, but I'm 100% willing to buy used. Is this even possible at this price range, or should I just get a receiver with pre-outs?

Your budget is pretty low. If it was me I'd get a Benchmark DAC as a front end. Use it to make your old CD player sing or, better yet, add a Wadia dock and an iPod as a small but great sounding music server.

 

[Nikos]

I didn't like a Benchmark connected directly to my Purity.
I have a dared mc7p (valves) that I like it a lot.
My main preamp is a passive preamp with transformers.
one cheap solution is tvc promitheus (link)
If your source is good enough don't hesitate to try it.

Nikos

 

[dtopler]

Perhaps I should have explained more in my original post . I'm actually a part-time Magnolia employee when I'm back home from college, so I do get a pretty substantial discount from anything at Best Buy, including ML. Alas, Best Buy doesn't sell any pre-pro's/pre-amps, only receivers, so that doesn't help too much.

I don't mind having a stereo setup, but eventually, it will be converted into a HT one eventually, a few years down the road. I have no problem getting a stereo pre-amp now, and later selling it/using it elsewhere to grab a HT processor. Right now, it'll be about 50% movies/Xbox, 50% music. Music-wise, we're talking rock, acoustic rock, hip-hop, classical, jazz, electronica...literally a little bit of everything. I have a Oppo 981 for DVD/CD playback, and I'll probably grab a Blu-Ray player pretty soon as well.

If I were to go the AVR route, I can grab any Denon product for 50% off MSRP. That makes the 2309/1909 feasible, but unfortunately, neither of those have pre-out's for the Purity's, which doesn't help me. The Pioneer Elite line is a bit out of my price range (unless I buy used), and I'm not a fan of Yamaha.

I've been selling Martin's (albeit, their low-end line) for 2.5 years, and at one point, was the #1 Martin Logan salesman in the country for Magnolia. I'm a huge fan of their product line, but choosing matching equipment is confusing to say the least, seeing as how I have really no experience with that sector of the market (I should add, I'm only 18).

 

[Nikos]

you can connect the Puritys to the speaker out of any AVR. you will not hear any difference. you don't need an AVR with preouts.

 

[JonFo]

Dtopler, if you can swing it (especially at 50% off MSRP), then a 2809ci for $550 would be what I'd recommend.

It will provide you not only great results in the short term; it's a foundation for the inevitable march to multichannel.

The 2809 with its Audyssey MultEQ XT and Dynamic EQ is worth the extra $50 in your budget, trust me, it's incredible how that will improve your enjoyment vs a pure stereo 2 ch preamp.

Also, as you go to MCH, you'll want all the goodies the 2809 has to offer, including nice amps with enough power.

 

[dtopler]

I got an offer for an Emotiva LMC-1 processor for $250...had to take it. Doesn't do any of the new HD codecs, etc., but for that price, I figure it will hold me over until I'll have a Blu-Ray player and can afford a nicer piece of equipment. I'm excited to finally start piecing my system together!