2-channel preamp with Halo

[Jeff Mayer]

Hi all,

I am looking for a great sounding preamp to go with a Parasound A51. Just care about 2-channel as I have a receiver for everything else. Anyone have any experience with Bel Canto Design PRe2? any other ideas?
I don't feel the P-3 would be a big enough upgrade. Price range between 1500-2500 which puts me in range for the PRe2 on audiogon.

Thank you for your insight,
Jeff

[kfr01]

Jeff: I've been considering upgrading my P-3 to this:

http://www.adcom.com/preamplifiers/gfp750.htm

It appears to measure flat, provide both an active and passive option, outputs that may be used for a subwoofer, ht-bypass, and XLR ins and outs.

Seems to be a strong option. Stereophile liked it.

[Jeff Mayer]

Karl,

Thanks. Great info. Glad I posted. Perhaps the GFP-750 is a giant killer. The reviews are extremely favorable although the one's I read date back 6 or more years - not that that is a negative. It seems that the price/ performance ratio is unbeatable. Love the passive and active switching, and HT pass thru. But then the Bel Canto PRe2 still has me intrigued. http://www.belcantodesign.com/prod_purist.html
Stellar reviews, just wondering how it would match up with an a51 as I would probably go used. Check out this review on the Bel Canto http://www.stereotimes.com/amp041805.shtm

Jeff

[kfr01]

Jeff:

That Bel Canto looks like quite the preamplifier. As far as modern technology goes, it sure sounds like there's more of it in the Bel Canto. Bel Canto has been making great products for years and seem to be willing to push the envelope, design and technology wise. The other nice thing about the Bel Canto seems to be that it is a two channel iteration of their more expensive 6 channel preamplifier.

If you have the budget, I vote for the Bel Canto. Bel Canto is a strong enough brand that if you don't like it, you could resell it quickly.

[Jeff Mayer]

Oops, posted the wrong link to the Bel Canto Pre2.
Should be http://www.belcantodesign.com/prod_pre2.html
Wouldn't look bad with Parasound either. I'm loving the price of the GFP-750 though. I have another question (still doing plenty of research) can a pre/pro in let's say the class of a c1 or c2 or sound as good in 2 channel as one of these dedicated 2-channel preamps. From what I've researched the answer is no but I'd love to hear some input on this.

[Jeff Mayer]

Thanks for the vote Karl. It'd be nice to AB the Adcom and Bel Canto. I know one things for sure..either one would outperform my onkyo.

[blownrx7]

I can't speak for the Bel Canto. It sure looks nice though.
As far as the Adcom is concerned. It has no "recent" reviews because it has been in production for so long. No major changes because they got it right the first time! You are right, It was considered a giant killer 6 years ago at the same price point it is at today! The only reason people don't flip over it now is because it has been around for so long and is not the "latest fashion". Believe me, technology in preamps has not progressed to any extent to leave this gem behind.
Pick one up on the used market and use the THOUSANDS saved to get another piece of kick-a** equipment. If you end up feeling you can do better or want to go up the ladder more (or just want a different sound), you can turn around and sell this quickly for what you have into it. If you can't audition it, read the reviews carefully to get a good idea of the Adcom sound and you will be able to discern if it is to your taste.

Oh yeah, Parasound content. I never experienced the Adcom with the Parasound but I am pretty sure either the Bel Canto or the Adcom would complement the Parasound nicely.
Good luck and be sure to tell us what you end up with.

[Chris D]

You guys make my job here so easy...

[r100gs]

When is that darn JC2 coming out? ;x(

[Jeff Mayer]

Yes, I imagine Preamp technology doesn't move very fast at all. I could pickup a GFP-750 and save cash or down the road pick up a Powerplant. What's the story with the JC2? Don't know a thing about it. Still kind of leaning towards the Bel canto. A new piece from a highly respected company. looks great, should hold its value and sound fantastic. can get one new around 2200.

[Jeff Mayer]

What is that darn JC2? Is it speced out?

[kfr01]

I don't have any links, but I think some of the others here do.

It is a high end Parasound preamplifier designed by John Curl. IIRC, a release date hasn't been set.

[r100gs]

What is that darn JC2? Is it speced out?

Check this out. http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2006/010806curl/

[darioax]

When is that darn JC2 coming out?

Well, as it's taking so long, I shall get a BAT VK20 for U$ 2.400 here in Brazil, to match with my Halo A21 and Primare D30.2 cd player.

Any opinions against this preamp?
I still have time to change my mind, as I shall close the deal next week...

[Jeff Mayer]

Thanks guys. JC2 looks interesting but probably still a ways off. I am close to pulling the trigger on the Bel Canto but am also enticed by the ModWright Audio SLW 9.0 tube linestage. Hybrid design uses solid state output stage. Here's a picture and review:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/modwright_9.htm

Pretty looking piece, a bit less expensive than Bel Canto at around 1800 for souped up version, great reviews. Perhaps best of both worlds in tube and solidstate. But how about a tube preamp mated with A51???
Darioax - Don't know about the BAT. looked it up. Sounds expensive at 2400 but I don't know how the money converts in Brazil. Some good reviews & some mixed on Audioreview.com. Good luck!

Jeff

[kfr01]

The BAT stuff is highly regarded. Stereophile class A.

I've heard nothing but good things about the ModWright Audio pre. The guys on http://www.audiocircle.com/ talk about it quite a bit.

[darioax]

Darioax - Don't know about the BAT. looked it up. Sounds expensive at 2400 but I don't know how the money converts in Brazil. Some good reviews & some mixed on Audioreview.com. Good luck! Jeff

Thanks Jeff!

Whatever I buy in the USA, I have to pay, at least, 60% import tax :evil:

Cool, ahn? ops:

[Jeff Mayer]

Oh boy. Thanks for the link Karl. Great Modwright reviews all over the place. A few mixed on Audiogon but so what. look hard enough and youll find a negative review on the man on the moon. I'm also wondering why there's such a scarcity of personal accounts of the Bel Canto PRe2. seems lots of folks are jumping into the Mod. Pre2 goes balanced - Mod does not. not sure if that matters. It's a toss up
sorry if I'm boring anyone.
Jeff

[Jeff Mayer]

Hey Karl - have you settled yet on the GFP-750? or any other ideas?

[kfr01]

Jeff: I keep wavering back and forth.

Part of me wants to go for a solid preamp like the GFP-750 with Ht-Bypass and have some sort of hybrid 2-channel / surround system going.

The other part of me wants to boycott surround sound entirely and go all-out on 2-channel sound, since music is 99% of my priority.

On that note, I am considering a Tact 2.2XP Preamplifier. http://www.tactaudio.com/
The Tact would help me integrate a stereo subwoofer system and do complete room correction. I'd go with a pair of bash subwoofer amplifiers and some Adire Tumult or Brahma drivers in sealed boxes.

A "good" ht + stereo setup or a "great" stereo setup?

[Jeff Mayer]

I do 99% music as well. But I am looking at the hybrid route just to have surround as an option. Movies are lots of fun in surround (although I tend to watch few) and is also a popular feature with family, friends, and significant others. There are some SACD’s and DVD-A’s which I enjoy in surround. I love classical music and the rears add ambience, and an immersive sound that’s hard to get 2 channel. I find that surround adds impact to many compositions featuring split groups of instruments/choirs or performances where there is a fair amount of reverb in a big acoustic space. Some pop/rock/jazz can sound good, too. That being said I’d say that 90% or more of my listening is done in stereo which is why I’m investigating stereo preamps and not Pre/Pros. I want very fine stereo reproduction for a moderate investment - of course “very fine” meaning in comparison to what my onkyo can do or most any other pre/pro for that matter. In any event I’m holding off on the upgrade for a while.

Karl – The Tact looks very nice. Room correction and features look very attractive. It’s out of my price range. There’s an awful lot of digital stuff going on. Paying a lot for processing power – I wonder if that leads to an honest and beautiful sound… Don’t know much about it though. Can’t wait to hear about your choices.

Jeff

[kfr01]

Jeff: I'm also holding off on the upgrade for a bit. We close on a new home on the 28th and I'll be turning the unfinished basement into a listening room. As I've never had a proper listening room, I'm going to wait until I complete it and add some passive room treatment to evaluate my electronics options.

On the Tact. It is also a bit beyond my price range retail. I'd buy that piece on the used market.

I hear what you're saying regarding surround music. A friend recently played a Michael Buble DTS DVD for me. When I got home I instantly started researching how I would accomplish an upgrade to surround. Like I said, I waver back and forth. :-)

I guess the biggest motivating factor regarding the Tact device is subwoofer integration. My towers are tuned to 30hz, and I really don't feel like I'm missing much bass-wise, but I think removing the ultra-low bass from the 7" drivers in the towers could only improve their transient and distortion performance. Then I'd have a 4-way driver set with every driver comfortably handling its duties.

i.e., subwoofer for sub-bass
midwoofer for mid-bass / low midrange
midrange for, well, midrange
and tweeter for the treble

Anyway. If only the Tact had an HT-bypass feature. There is an HT Tact Pre/Pro, but with options it retails for over $10k... about 7 more than I'm willing to spend on this upgrade. :-)

[darioax]

Jeff: A "good" ht + stereo setup or a "great" stereo setup?

Go for the great stereo setup! :W

[Jeff Mayer]

Karl - Can't an auxillary input on the Tact function as HT bypass? Do you currently have a surround controller/receiver or strictly stereo? Two subwoofers sounds interesting. Quite the luxury. I'm running with a 15" Acoustic Research sub but I generally only use it for movies. I can't imagine what 2 subs would do. My front speakers have large bass drivers at 15" so I get plenty down low for music.

Jeff

[darioax]

Hi, a short note about the BAT VK-20.

To be honest, I didn't like it.
But let me explain: the unit I got was defected, lots of noise going through the speakers and the remote was simply "dead". Besides these problems, I found the overall sound a bit "slow".

So, I'm returning the BAT to the seller and now I'm considering to buy the PS Audio GCP-200 Preamplifier.
Any comments about this preamp?