Dedicated 2 channel pre-amps

[Intamin]

Who uses them? If so, what do you have and how do you like it? Does it have HT bypass, or is it in separate 2 channel system? If it doesn't have HT bypass, and you don't have a separate rig, how do you have everything hooked up?

Being that I started this thread, I'll answer. I've got a Parasound P3 that I use for music only. I just recently hooked it back up (it was in my 2nd set up so that setup would get some use and it needed a pre), and I had forgotten how great it sounded. I did some comparisons between the pre-outs on my Marantz and the P3, and it was night and day and am glad I've got it back in my main system. It doesn't have an HT bypass, so when switching between HT and music, I unplug my RCA's out of the back of my amp and plug in the ones running from my receiver. It's a pain, but worth it. I'm looking at buying an RCA switcher that RUR (if he's still around here) recommended a while back. That's my story, how about everyone else?

[Big Daddy]

I use a two-channel pre-amplifier. It is the Carver C-16 Sonic Holography pre-amp. It is old school and does not have any HT mode. For the amplifier, I use the Carver M-1-0t Magnetic Field power amplifier. I recently added a DIY 12" subwoofer and made the system 2.1.

I have a multi-channel system for HT in a separate room.

[Blaumann]

Gryphon Elektra with Orestes phono preamp module, music only.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Who uses them? If so, what do you have and how do you like it? Does it have HT bypass, or is it in separate 2 channel system? If it doesn't have HT bypass, and you don't have a separate rig, how do you have everything hooked up?

Being that I started this thread, I'll answer. I've got a Parasound P3 that I use for music only. I just recently hooked it back up (it was in my 2nd set up so that setup would get some use and it needed a pre), and I had forgotten how great it sounded. I did some comparisons between the pre-outs on my Marantz and the P3, and it was night and day and am glad I've got it back in my main system. It doesn't have an HT bypass, so when switching between HT and music, I unplug my RCA's out of the back of my amp and plug in the ones running from my receiver. It's a pain, but worth it. I'm looking at buying an RCA switcher that RUR (if he's still around here) recommended a while back. That's my story, how about everyone else?

Where is Ken (RUR) anyway? Haven't seen him in quite while! He always had some valuable input and very knowledgeble.

John

[Halcro 1]

Most HT Pre/Pros arent all that great for 2 channel Fortunally my Halcro has true analog bypass...Actually Im looking at getting a 2 channel amp for my fronts and use my MC-50 for surround

[mdabb]

Hey Alex and everyone,


I'm in love with my ModWright Instrument LS36.5 (single box) !!! The home theater bypass circuit works like a charm, I get to have my two channel love thanks to this wonderful tube preamp and NOS tubes.

ModWright Instrument LS36.5
http://www.modwright.com/products/


For a source player I am using a tubed out ModWright/Sony 9100 ES (Platinum Truth Mod). I am in the process of upgrading to NOS tubes as well.

9100ES
http://www.modwright.com/pdf/Sony9100ESSigTruth.pdf

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by mdabb

For a source player I am using a tubed out ModWright/Sony 9100 ES (Platinum Truth Mod). I am in the process of upgrading to NOS tubes as well.

9100ES
http://www.modwright.com/pdf/Sony9100ESSigTruth.pdf

When you said you sold your soul for your player, you worn't kidding! But damn it had to be worth it!

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by Intamin

When you said you sold your soul for your player, you worn't kidding! But damn it had to be worth it!

Well I did sell my soul, just not at the original price. I found a great unit on Audiogon and picked that up. I don't think I could justify $4300 on a CD player but then again I don't know how I still justified what I paid for it.

It is a very wonderful combo between the LS36.5, 9100ES, Pass X150.5, and Dali Helicon 800's. A very alive and warm feeling.

I just wish I could get lucky on another NOS metal base GZ34 for the CD player's power supply. No way around it though as they are in high demand and are rare. A typical one goes anywhere from $500-$700 (one tube).

Check your basements anyone ???



By the way, did you do the deed on the amp yet or are ya holding out ???

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Well I did sell my soul, just not at the original price. I found a great unit on Audiogon and picked that up. I don't think I could justify $4300 on a CD player but then again I don't know how I still justified what I paid for it.

It is a very wonderful combo between the LS36.5, 9100ES, Pass X150.5, and Dali Helicon 800's. A very alive and warm feeling.

I just wish I could get lucky on another NOS metal base GZ34 for the CD player's power supply. No way around it though as they are in high demand and are rare. A typical one goes anywhere from $500-$700 (one tube).

Check your basements anyone ???



By the way, did you do the deed on the amp yet or are ya holding out ???

I'm holding out. I crossed Emotiva off my list actually. Just gonna keep watching Agon and wait till sometime this summer probably before I purchase anything.

How do you like the tube pre/cd paired with the SS amp? Have you ever tried SS throughout? Just curious.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by Intamin

I'm holding out. I crossed Emotiva off my list actually. Just gonna keep watching Agon and wait till sometime this summer probably before I purchase anything.

How do you like the tube pre/cd paired with the SS amp? Have you ever tried SS throughout? Just curious.

I think you need a tube amplifier !!!! YES, YES !!! I think you will really enjoy it. Tubes add that special charm to music and I have grown quite fond of them. If you can check'em out !!!


As far as pairing the tube and solid state gear ............. sounds great, real great in fact. Kind of like having the best of both worlds. One of the reasons I went solid state on the amp was, powerful tube amps (200 watts and above) are big bucks !!!

Just recently ModWright introduced an amp and it is a solid state amp so it makes me feel better about my amp choice. At first I thought I should go all tube but many people are just as happy as I am.


I dream about some Salk HT3's ..............

[Intamin]

Not to try to make you sell your soul again, if you can even do that, but there are a pair of ht3's on Agon...

[primaz]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

Most HT Pre/Pros arent all that great for 2 channel Fortunally my Halcro has true analog bypass...Actually Im looking at getting a 2 channel amp for my fronts and use my MC-50 for surround

Most of the new pre amp processors with no power seem to have bypass modes where the signals are not processed.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Not to try to make you sell your soul again, if you can even do that, but there are a pair of ht3's on Agon...

This one............


I liked the last two pairs on there. Gotta go wood Finish !!! I wish I had the space for multiple speakers as the HT3's would so be mine !!!


I like this style


Did you see the ones on AC recently, the HT3's that guy picked up ??? With the open baffle midrange ??? I like the traditional cabinet style better but the wood finish on his was damn nice.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by primaz

Most of the new pre amp processors with no power seem to have bypass modes where the signals are not processed.

Not sure you are talking about the same thing as we are when it comes to home theater bypass ???

[Halcro 1]

Originally Posted by mdabb

This one............


I liked the last two pairs on there. Gotta go wood Finish !!! I wish I had the space for multiple speakers as the HT3's would so be mine !!!


I like this style


Did you see the ones on AC recently, the HT3's that guy picked up ??? With the open baffle midrange ??? I like the traditional cabinet style better but the wood finish on his was damn nice.

Those Salk speakers are so sweet... I listend to them at the Audio -Karhma fest in Detroit ... very nice even if you buy them new they are priced well, they are on my short list of new speakers

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by mdabb

This one............


I liked the last two pairs on there. Gotta go wood Finish !!! I wish I had the space for multiple speakers as the HT3's would so be mine !!!


I like this style


Did you see the ones on AC recently, the HT3's that guy picked up ??? With the open baffle midrange ??? I like the traditional cabinet style better but the wood finish on his was damn nice.

Ya, I saw those. I wasn't a fan of the openness, but that wood finish was pretty sweet. And I agree, I'd rather have the wood finish if I got a pair of HT3's, and I'd get them like Funk (from AC and avs) got his, where it isn't tapered at the top. I'd love to take my p3, pair it with HT3's, and get a new beefy 2 channel amp and have a dedicated 2 channel system, and use my Song Towers for HT usage with a song center and surrounds. Mmm...one can dream. I need to graduate and make real money haha.

[inlayterms]

I'm not sure if my setup is unique, but it goes something like this: I have a 2 Ch. Parasound PLD-1100 pre-amp, which I absolutely love (particularly for its direct input which bypasses all internal circuitry).

However, I wanted to get 5.1 surround sound, but didn't want to let go of the PLD-1100. So, I bought a Parasound AVC-1800 and setup the 5.1 surround sound in the normal manner, except that, instead of sending the front outputs from the AVC-1800 directly to my amplifiers (Parasound HCA-1000A's, by the way), I send them to the auxiliary inputs of the PLD-1100.

As such, my system is essentially 2 systems (5.1 surround and 2 Ch.) in one: when I want to hear music, it's the PLD-1100 working only; and when I watch a movie, I have 5.1 surround sound (integrating the PLD-1100 for the mains). The only problem is that, once I get my subwoofers, I'll have to decide to either hook them up to the AVC-1800 (in which case, no sub for 2 Ch.) or hook them up using the loop outputs on the back of my amplifiers. Any thoughts on my setup?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Who uses them? If so, what do you have and how do you like it? Does it have HT bypass, or is it in separate 2 channel system? If it doesn't have HT bypass, and you don't have a separate rig, how do you have everything hooked up?

Jeez, I can't believe I missed this thread!

Yes, I have a dedicated stereo preamp: an Audio Research SP-9 Mk 2. It doesn't have an HT bypass, but I'll make sure that my next one does.

[Happycamper]

I am seriously thinking about getting one of these units from everyones favorite "NAME BRAND"..... I really like the HT bypass for use within my HT system.


This info came from the Emotiva news page of their website.


Ultra Series Stereo Preamplifier

We are proud to announce the imminent arrival of our newest stereo preamplifier - the USP-1. The USP-1 is a microprocessor controlled, pure analog path stereo preamplifier, equipped with a Bass Management system, a Home Theater Bypass, and many other stellar features at the unheard of price of $399. These will be in-house and shipping in early July. To preorer your USP-1, email beth@emotiva.com

Preorders received before July 1st will be given a special price of $349!

Emotiva USP-1 Preamplifier
Audiophile 2 Channel Preamplifier Features

Precision low noise phono input with moving magnet or moving coil capability
Seven stereo inputs with precision instrumentation grade relay switching
Microprocessor controlled pure analog signal path
Full remote control operation
Completely integrated bass manager for 2.1 operation with variable frequency stereo high pass and mono low pass outputs
Independent full range outputs (available simultaneously with 2.1 output)
Gold plated discrete RCA connectors for all inputs and outputs
Low Pass / High Pass filters 12dB /Octave slope
Tape monitor loop
Home Theater Bypass
Stereo / Mono switching
Large format precision film volume potentiometer with motorized control
Headphone output
Illuminated input indicators (Halo Backlit)
12V trigger output
IEC power inlet, 120/230 VAC user configurable


read complete manual PDF
USP-1 Technical Specifications

Preamp Audio Section

Phono Input:
Moving Coil - 240 Ohm
Moving Magnet - 47kOhm

Input Impedance Line In: 47K Ohm +/-5%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (rel 2V out): >116dB (ref 2V)
Distortion: < 0.005% 20Hz - 20kHz with 80kHz measurement bandwidth
Frequency Response: 5Hz - 80kHz, with less than 0.05dB of deviation
Line Out Freq. Response: 5Hz - 80kHz, with less than 0.05dB of deviation
Maximum Line Out Level: 9V RMS
Ground Floor Noise Level: > 20uV
Channel Separation @ 1kHz: > 80dB (same as line)

Built In Filters:
High Pass = Variable 50Hz or 250 Hz @ 12dB/Octave
Low Pass = Variable 50Hz or 250 Hz @ 12dB/Octave, Summed L+R Mono

Other Details
Trigger Output: 12 VDC, 3.5mm jack, Center Pin is Positive / Current Load <120mA
Electrical Power Requirement: 115VAC, 60Hz or 230VAC, 50-60Hz User Selectable

Raw Weight: 14 lbs

Dimensions:
• Width: 17 inches
• Depth: 14 inches (including RCA jack extension)
• Height: 3.75 inches (faceplate only) – 4.25 inches including feet

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Happycamper

I am seriously thinking about getting one of these units from everyones favorite "NAME BRAND".....

Sarcasm doesn't belong in this thread...

John