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High End Preamps
About Preamplifiers
Which preamplifier is best for you? Here are some considerations:
| Issue / Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sound Characteristics | While all preamplifiers sound 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, as well as whichever 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 long interconnects (over 30'), it is suggested that you 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, Class? 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 are more costly 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 | The majority of today's stereo preamplifiers can be integrated into a home
theater, if desired. The left and right outputs of the
surround sound processor can be 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 or preamp and power amp? | If you have selected a preamplifier for its sonic merits, you will generally find similar merits in that same manufacturer's power amplifiers. However, you may find that another brand of amplifier has sonic characteristics that you favor. Feel free to choose whichever brand and model you prefer. The one exception to this is Spectral, as certain models of Spectral power amp need to be mated with a Spectral preamp. However any Spectral preamp can drive any brand of power amp (details). Note that some amplifiers sound best when used with their balanced inputs. For these, you'll want to be sure to use a preamplifier with balanced outputs. |
Note: While this listing is representative of what we carry it is not always completely current. So for the most up to date information please call us at 781-893-9000
● Aesthetix
Aesthetix makes high performance tube phono and
line stage preamplifiers.
Note: We no longer have these on demonstration.
| Aesthetix Phono Preamplifiers |
|---|
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● Arcam
Arcam makes high-value audio and
home theater components. The C31 preamp 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 |
|---|
| Arcam Preamplifier |
|---|
● Audio Research
Founded in 1969 by Bill Johnson, Audio Research is known as one of the oldest and most established high end audio component manufacturers. For decades they have been renowned for their tube components.
Audio Research also makes digital components, amplifiers, and cables.
| Audio Research Tube Preamplifiers |
|---|
| Audio Research . $Call. |
| Audio Research . $Call. |
| Audio Research . $Call. |
● Boulder
Boulder manufactures very high quality
electronics. They are powerful yet graceful, dynamic and well-controlled. The 2010 stereo preamp with separate power supply is pictured at the left.
Boulder also makes digital components, amplifiers, and surround sound processor.
| Boulder 800 Series Preamplifier |
|---|
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| Boulder 1000 Series Preamplifiers |
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| Boulder 2000 Series Preamplifiers |
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● Constellation
manufactures very high quality electronics which are manufactured in the US. The Virgo II is pictured here.
Constellation also makes digital components and amplifiers
● 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 |
|---|
| Linn Linto direct-coupled moving coil phono section. Black or silver. $Call. |
| Linn Preamplifiers |
| Linn Majik Kontrol preamplifier with moving magnet phono. Black or silver. $Call. |
| Linn Klimax Kontrol reference preamplifier. Silver. $Call. |
| Linn Multi-Channel Preamplifiers |
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● Nagra
Nagra
makes digital components, pre-amplifiers, and
amplifiers. The Nagra PL-L preamp is pictured at the left.
| Local sales only |
|---|
| Nagra Preamplifiers |
|---|
PLL-RC Remote control kit for PL-L. $Call. PL-L Replacement Tube Kit. $Call. |
Nagra PL-P tube preamp with phono. $Call.
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| Nagra Phono Preamplifiers |
| Nagra BPS phono preamp. $Call. |
| Nagra VPS tube phono preamp w/ one
MC input card and cartridge loading kit. $Call. Additional MM
input for Nagra VPS phono stage. $Call. Additional MC
input for Nagra VPS phono stage. $Call. VPS Replacement Tube Kit.
$Call. |
● Naim
Naim
produces an exceptionally broad range of products, all featuring a full
harmonically complex sound. Their line includes phono
components, digital components, preamplifiers,
amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, speakers, electronic crossovers, surround sound processors,
multi-channel power amps, DVD/CD players, headphone amps, separate power
supplies, digital hard drive/disk players, tuners, cables, and equipment stands.
The Naim 552 preamp and power supply are pictured.
| Naim Preamplifiers |
|---|
| Naim NAC122x 00-002-0014 Six input preamplifier. $Call. |
| Naim NAC202 00-002-0003 Six input preamplifier. $Call. |
| Naim NAC282 + NAPSC2 00-002-0006 Six input preamplifier with NAPSC2 power supply. $Call. |
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| Naim Phono 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 Phono preamplifier. $Call. |
| Parasound Zpre2 Audio/Video Preamplifier. $Call. |
| Parasound 2100 stereo preamplifier. $Call. |
| Parasound Halo P7 stereo preamplifier. $Call. |
● Simaudio
Simaudio makes the Moon, Evolution, and Neo lines of electronics. The Evolution Series 850P Reference Line-Stage is shown here.
Simaudio also makes digital components, pre-amplifiers, amplifiers, surround processors, and power conditioners.
| Simaudio Preamplifiers |
|---|
● Spectral Audio
Founded in 1977, Spectral is one of the most respected names in high end audio today. Notably, to this day Spectral is still run and actively managed by founder Richard Fryer. He along with head designer Keith Johnson have devoted decades of their life to bringing Spectral components to a very high level of refinement. Spectral manufactures , pre-amplifiers, and amplifiers in Sunnyvale, California.
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 power amplifiers. In addition, you can use a Spectral preamplifier with any other brand of amplifier and it will drive it with total aplomb. The DMC-30SV line preamplifier is shown here.
pricing is available by contacting us directly.
| Spectral Preamplifiers |
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