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Preamplifiers
| Aesthetix | Arcam | Audio Research | Boulder |
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| Halcro | Linn | Musical Fidelity | Nagra |
| Parasound | Quad | Simaudio (Moon) | Spectral |
About Preamplifiers
Which preamplifier is best for you? Here are some considerations:
| Issue / Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sound Characteristics | While every preamplifier model sounds different, we have found general similarities among the preamplifiers made by a single manufacturer. Therefore, we suggest that you first audition preamplifiers from several different manufacturers. Perhaps you'll prefer the liquidity and soundstage presentation of the Audio Research tubed preamplifiers. Or for example, maybe the high-speed, high-resolution sound of Spectral preamplifiers will appeal to you. No product is perfect, and so in your selection process, you'll naturally gravitate towards products with the best performance in the areas that are most important to you. Be sure to listen for tonal balance, soundstage presentation, transparency, and dynamics, plus whichever of the other performance characteristics are most important to you. |
| Balanced or Single Ended | Preamplifier inputs and outputs are either single-ended (with RCA connectors) or balanced (with XLR connectors). Unless you have very, very long interconnects (say over 50 to 100'), use whichever type of cable your manufacturer or dealer recommends. Contrary to myth, balanced interconnects do not necessarily sound better. Some preamplifiers are specifically designed for balanced use (e.g. Audio Research or Boulder), and sound best with balanced cables. Most others offer balanced operation, but generally sound best with single ended cables (e.g. Spectral, Lamm, Classé, McCormack). Also, single ended interconnects generally cost less than the equivalent balanced interconnect. |
| Tubes or Solid State | If you have decided that you favor the sonics of a
tubed design, such as Audio Research, you should realize
that any tubed equipment will have somewhat more
maintenance than a solid state design. However, in the
case of preamplifiers, the tubes last a long time (often
about 5000 hours), and are relatively inexpensive to
replace. (Tubes for amplifiers generally last at least
2000 hours, and cost more to replace.) If you choose Audio Research specifically, you are assured of a long term supply of the necessary tubes. Their designs only use readily available tubes, and they maintain an adequate inventory for future service needs. This may not be the case with other brands. |
| Integration with a Home Theater | Any stereo preamplifier can be integrated into a home
theater, if desired. The left and right outputs of the
surround sound processor are routed through the stereo
preamplifier, and then on to the amplifier and speakers.
In this way, you have a 2 channel stereo system that is
completely independent of your surround sound system.
With today's technology, this is usually the highest
performance configuration. In addition, some stereo preamplifiers make this even easier. They provide a special input which bypasses the volume control. This means that to use the surround system, you merely select this special input. If your preamplifier does have this, then you'd also have to adjust the volume to some prearranged setting (such at 12 o'clock, for example). |
| Remote Control | Some preamplifiers have them; some don't. If a remote control is very important to you, then eliminate non-remote control preamplifier from your consideration. If a remote is not vital, then we recommend that you set this consideration aside as you evaluate designs. You can then use the remote control capabilities of the preamplifiers that you are considering as a "tie breaker" in your selection process. |
| Mix and Match Brands? | Should the brand of your preamplifier match that of
your amplifier (and perhaps source components as well)?
Usually, but not necessarily. If you have selected a preamplifier for its sonic merits, you will generally find similar merits in that manufacturer's amplifiers. However, you may find that another brand of amplifier has sonic characteristics that you prefer. Feel free to choose whatever brand you prefer. However, some amplifiers sound best when used with their balanced inputs. For these, you'd want to be sure to use a preamplifier with balanced outputs. And Spectral amplifiers may only be used with Spectral preamplifiers (details). |
Aesthetix
Aesthetix makes very high performance tube phono and
line stage preamplifiers.
| Aesthetix Phono Preamplifiers |
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| Aesthetix Line-Level Preamplifiers |
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| Aesthetix Options |
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Arcam
Arcam makes excellent sounding, high-value audio and
home theater components. The C31 compliments the CD 36 player which is featured
at the left. Arcam equipment is available in black or silver.
Arcam makes digital components, preamplifiers, surround sound processors, amplifiers, and tuners.
| Local sales only |
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| Arcam FMJ Series |
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| Arcam C31 preamplifier phono is add on option $1,599. |
Audio Research
Audio Research
preamplifiers are well known for combining neutrality with a tube
flair capable of presenting music with a sense of air and bloom
not found in other preamplifier designs. Years of research has
culminated in the Reference series comprised of both an amplifier
and a preamp. The Ref 3 is a fully balanced, tube design
for those seeking the ultimate straight wire with gain. The LS26 & LS17
is a distillation of technologies developed in the Reference.
Audio Research also makes digital components, amplifiers, and cables.
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Boulder
Boulder make very high quality
electronics. The 2010 is pictured at the left.
Boulder also makes digital components, amplifiers, and surround sound processor.
| Boulder 1000 series preamplifiers |
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| Boulder 1000 series preamplifiers |
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| Boulder 2000 series preamplifiers |
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Halcro
Halcro also
makes digital components, pre-amplifiers,
amplifiers and surround sound
processors. The dm10 is pictured at the left.
| Halcro reference series preamplifiers |
|---|
| Halcro dm8 preamplifier. $14,490. |
| Halcro dm10 preamplifier with phono and headphone. $17,490. |
Linn
Linn
makes three ranges of products: high performance audio/video products, including
speakers, custom installation products which allow house-wide music, and one-box
music or movie components.. Within these ranges, Linn makes phono
components, digital components, preamplifiers,
amplifiers, speakers,
surround sound processors, cables,
and tuners. The Linn Klimax Kontrol is pictured
at the left.
| Linn phono section preamplifiers |
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| Linn Linto direct-coupled moving coil phono section. Black or silver. $2,000. |
| Linn preamplifiers |
| Linn Majik Kontrol preamplifier with moving magnet phono. Black or silver. $3,100. |
| Linn Klimax Kontrol reference preamplifier. Silver. $12,610. |
| Linn multi-channel preamplifiers |
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Parasound
Parasound
makes tuners, pre-amplifiers,
surround-sound processors, and
amplifiers. The Parasound Z-Series of
components is pictured at the left.
| Parasound preamplifiers |
|---|
| Parasound ZPhono MM/MC phono stage. $150. |
| Parasound ZPre2 linestage preamplifier. $350. |
Musical Fidelity
Musical
Fidelity makes turntables, digital
components, preamplifiers, amplifiers, and tuners.
| Musical Fidelity X Series |
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| Musical Fidelity X-Pre V3 preamp. $1,199 |
| Musical Fidelity A Series |
| Musical Fidelity A5 preamplifier. $3,000. |
| Musical Fidelity kW Series |
| Musical Fidelity kW line stage preamplifier. $5,000. |
| Musical Fidelity kW phono stage. $3,500. |
Nagra
Nagra
makes digital components, pre-amplifiers, and
amplifiers. The Nagra PL-L preamp is pictured at the left.
| Local sales only |
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| Nagra PL-P tube preamp with phono. $11,495. |
Parasound
Parasound
makes tuners, pre-amplifiers and amplifiers. The Parasound PHP-850
is pictured at the left.
| Parasound PHP-850 Stereo Preamplifier w/ phono and headphone output. $249. |
| Parasound ZpreV2 Audio/Video Preamplifier. $Call |
| Parasound Zphono Phono preamplifier. $150. |
Quad
Quad
makes digital
components, pre-amplifiers, amplifiers. speakers,
and tuners,
The 99 Preamp is pictured at the left.
| Quad Solidstate Preamplifiers |
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| Quad 99 Preamp preamplifier. Powers other 99 series bus-powered components. $900. |
| Quad Tube Preamplifiers |
| Quad QC-twenty four preamplifier. $900. |
Simaudio (Moon)
Simaudio makes
the Moon line of electronics.
Simaudio also makes digital components,
pre-amplifiers, amplifiers,
surround processors, tuners,
and power conditioners.
| Simaudio Moon Audio Classic Series |
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| Simaudio Moon Audio Evolution Series |
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Spectral
Spectral
makes digital components,
pre-amplifiers, and amplifiers.
Spectral makes astonishingly transparent, uncolored, detailed, smooth sounding preamplifiers. With very low output impedance and stability out to radio frequencies, these preamplifiers are fully capable of properly driving Spectral's wide bandwidth amplifiers. In addition, you can use a Spectral preamplifier with any other brand of amplifier.
At the manufacturer's request, Spectral prices are not published
on dealer websites, but rather are available by contacting us directly.
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