2. amps-preamps
  3. 1219404651

New guy needs firstpre amp

Hi folks, rather than take over a previous thread, thought that I would start a new one. I am buying seperates for the first time. I have Nuforce ref v2 se's, B&W 805s's, Ayre cdp.
I am a soundstage and imaging fan. I really like to see musicians in space.
I have a $2k budget this time out. I also need ht pass. Lastly, I would like lower gain / more fine tuning from a volume standpoint. Here is what seems to fit the bill so far and I am sure any would be great for a first pre:
The nuforce p9
the JRDG capri
the cj 17ls
the pass labs x2.5
are there any others in that price range that I am missing?
Thanks in advance to all. This really is a great community.
jimmy3993

Showing 4 responses by guidocorona

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Jimmy3993, you may find that initially the imaging of Capri is only competent but not spectacular. . . let it play as continuously as you can for a long time. Imaging and staging will improve gradually to about 1000 hours. I found its imaging and staging at least as good as that of my ARC Ref 3.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Jimmy, the answer is. . . I do not know the answer! I have developed an equipment tracking spreadsheet that I have already used for a few components. . . I just entered the required break in hours and the start date. Each day I play music I enter start time. . . then when music stops I enter termination time. The spreadsheet then calculates the current breakin percentage, total hrs, and projects when the break in may be complete. Send me an email, and I'll send you the template. Guido
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Jimmy3993, no I have not had the opportunity of auditioning a Pass preamp, so I can't provide you with a direct finding. For what it matters, according to BlueBook, the Pass 2.5 was released in 2002, while the Capri was released in 2007. I know just a little about Capri internals enough to be 'dangerous', but have no info on X2.5. Capri is built around a very fast TI Burr Brown differentially balanced opamp labelled OPA1632.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Jimmy, with the NuForce you may want to consider a balanced pre to maximize what your NuForce can do with. As mentioned in the other thread, I am very fond of Capri. . . its staging is superb, provided you are patient enough with break in. . . about 1K hours are pretty well a must. As for having very gradual gain. . . Capri uses an optically encoded dual gain volume control. . . when you turn the knob slowly volume changes by 0.5dB steps, which is extremely gradual. G.
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