AudiogoN Forums: Which of These Budget SS Preamps?

Which of These Budget SS Preamps?

Hi all,
I am trying to help my friend find a good solid-state budget preamp. His system consists of a Parasound HCA-3500 power amp, Sony SCD-XA9000ES CD/SACD player, Paradigm Reference Studio 100v.2 speakers, and Signal Cable speaker cables, interconnects, and power cords.
Above all, he wants outstanding top-end extension, transparency, outstanding detail, speed, focus, and great bass.
I do not know anything about budget preamps.
His current list consists of:
Adcom GFP-750
Marsh P2000B
Parasound Halo P-3
Parasound P/LD-2000
PS Audio
Rotel RC-1090
Which of the above would best fit the above criteria that I named?
To those who have compared some of these preamps to one another, what are the sonic differences between them?
Thank you all so much for your help!
Angela

Audio_girl (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

03-08-05

Responses (1-19 of 19)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

03-08-05 The only one i have heard is the rotel. it would be an ok m ... Eldarado

03-08-05 The only one of those on your list i've owned is the parasou ... Sfar

03-08-05 Luminous audio axiom preamp 150.00. best pre for the money. ... Klipschfan

03-08-05 For what he is looking for the adcom gfp-750 is really quite ... Audiofankj

03-08-05 I will second the adcom gfp-750. it's a lot of preamp, offer ... Sdcampbell

03-09-05 i would add, "tonal accuracy". hardly asking for m ... Gregm

03-09-05 For sheer transparency and focus, probably the adcom gfp-750 ... Daltonlanny

03-09-05 Angela, does your friend have anything against a budget tube ... Jond

03-09-05 The adcom without a doubt - this is essentially the $4000 pa ... Woodmann

03-09-05 I would throw the audio research ls-3 into the mix; a really ... Viridian

03-09-05 I'll vote with jond for your considering a 'budget' tube pre ... Jax2

03-09-05 Yes, audio research ls-3. Raquel

03-09-05 Again, the audio research ls3 will blow all of the above awa ... Scottht

03-09-05: Dawgcatching
If you can stand a tube preamp, check out the Eastern Electric Minimax upgraded version (about $950 new). Very neutral and detailed, huge bass response. I was going to spend $2k on a preamp until I heard this one-incredible detail and frequency extension. It took about 150 hours to really sound nice, and I swear it is still improving. Really responds well to tube rolling-I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Plus, Bill (the distributor) is a pleasure to work with and provides 1st rate service during and after the sale. For me, the Minimax provides just enough "meat-on-the-bones" with my tube selection that it is real pleasure to listen to jazz and orchestra music.
Dawgcatching (Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

03-09-05 I have to fully agree with the others about the audio resear ... Genesis168

03-09-05 Try the adcom gfp 750. if you like it, a pass aleph p or x ... Danielk141

03-10-05 Unless you've already tried a tube preamp now may be a good ... Warnerwh

03-10-05 Modwright swl 9, hybrid linestage. $1400. right now, will go ... Rpf

03-11-05 A parasound pre amp would obviously match perfectly with his ... Gslone