Preamps to Consider

[Aadams]

I’ve never seen this mentioned here on any forum.

This is for anyone looking for a good quality stereo pre-amp.  While seeking a substitute for an ailing preamp recently, I accidentally stumbled upon an inexpensive source for quality preamps.  It turns out many not very old, high end, but obsolescent HT receivers have fabulous stereo preamp sections hidden inside.  Just make sure the unit has pre outs for the front speakers and a bypass or direct mode to exclude the HT processor from the signal path.  They can be had surprisingly cheap.  They are heavy and shipping cost can be high but the purchase price can be surprisingly low for a correctly functioning unit.  This includes high end models from pro logic days. 

JIC I am not the last one to know this.

 

Adams

[ar_pro]

This is a good suggestion, as there has to be an entire universe of outdated HT receivers.

I've also read that some relatively inexpensive headphone amplifiers can be pretty decent stereo preamps as well, sometimes even including a DAC.

[Aadams]

17 hours ago, ar_pro said:

I've also read that some relatively inexpensive headphone amplifiers can be pretty decent stereo preamps as well, sometimes even including a DAC. 

I only have one input so DAC or headphone amp was my initial thought.  The problem I found was no LR balance control on any headphone amp or DAC/Preamp I could find below $3000.  LR balance below $2000 can however be found in Stereo Preamp/DAC form.  The new DACs do have higher bit rates but if all you need is a stereo preamp some of the "old" HT units appear hard to beat and many have good DACs built in ahead of the preamp.

[dna]

What is "HT"?

[CYNR]

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