Rack Preamp Options

[58crewchief]

I'm currently powering my L150's and L65A's with a Crown PS-400. Excellent. I am currently using the preamp stage of a Sansui AU-7700, which is great, but I want to use the integrated in another room so I am looking for a new preamp that is rack mountable to pair with the Crown. I've read a lot of good about the Crown PSL-2 but they seem to hold a ton of value, maybe more than their sound would suggest. I have a Soundcraftsmen DX-4200 but it's giving me some noise so I'm looking to pick up another til I sort that out. For the cost of the PSL, I can get a Bryston 0.5B and I've even seen a Pioneer Spec-1. Not trying to limit myself to rack only, but that is how I'm setting up this room. Thoughts?

[JeffW]

I have an Apt Holman preamp with rack mount option faceplate, I've used it quite a lot with PS-400 and PS-200 amps, it's hooked up to a D-75A right now. They seem to play very well together.

[engineerjoe]

1 It is going to connect to my TV and other components with HDMI connections
2 I only saw one Marantz preamp model when I searched. I'll have to go to there website and search for other models available.
3 I can only state that I'm just looking and comparing right now. I just bought a used X32 Behringer board for my system. I hadn't considered using my pro stuff at home. It is all just sitting here and with so many posts here of pro type systems in use, I figure I just utilize what I have to the best of it's potential. I have 7 crown amps and 2 QSC amps right here.
I would say that no more than around 4 or $500 although I have to research what I'd be missing out on available features vs. price. I found several used Denon receivers that come in below $400. I haven't decided if they will satisfy what I need. Clean higher power to drive the new JBL 520, 530s that I just got and possibly the 590s down the road a bit.

[SEAWOLF97]

I got the new TV 2 years ago, didn't count on digital-optic outputs.

My Denon AVR does not have HDMI ..no biggie.

The TV does most of the switching now. I run the TV toslink out to an outboard stereo DAC to the Denon, which does the 5.1 & now does just amplification & volume. It's just not the center of the system anymore.

The TV takes all the HDMI inputs.

[BMWCCA]

I'm currently powering my L150's and L65A's with a Crown PS-400. Excellent. I am currently using the preamp stage of a Sansui AU-7700, which is great, but I want to use the integrated in another room so I am looking for a new preamp that is rack mountable to pair with the Crown. I've read a lot of good about the Crown PSL-2 but they seem to hold a ton of value, maybe more than their sound would suggest. I have a Soundcraftsmen DX-4200 but it's giving me some noise so I'm looking to pick up another til I sort that out. For the cost of the PSL, I can get a Bryston 0.5B and I've even seen a Pioneer Spec-1. Not trying to limit myself to rack only, but that is how I'm setting up this room. Thoughts?

Nothing against the APT, but in researching them to purchase one to compare with my Crown PSL-2 and SL-2 I seemed to come across quite a few in need of work or being sold as-is. At the opposite end are those that have been gone through completely. It sort of slowed me down. Plus, finding one with the rack-mount front panel creates a much smaller universe from which to choose.

My main system uses the Soundcraftsmen Pro-Control-Four which I like so much that I bought a spare that I have never needed. I pair it with the matching Pro-EQ 44 for great flexibility and they run to an Ashly XR1001 crossover to bi-amped PS200 and PS400 Crowns to power my JBL 4345s. I'm completely happy with the way the system performs. I use the PSL-2 in another system powering my spare speakers from L150A to 4412A, to L112, to L7, L5, L3, and L1, plus some more JBLs. It's a great pre-amp.

Not sure what your budget is but I purchased both Crown pre's in complete systems with FM2, or FM3, and Powerline amps. I figure the pre's may have cost me around $300 if I value each part of the system at what seem to be their going prices, but together they seemed like deals at the time. I always wanted the PL/SL pre-amp and once I tried one, I wanted another to last me the rest of my lifetime of listening. It's simple and small with a clean sound and is seemingly bullet-proof, like all Crown products.

The Crown seems to go for $300 to $600 ($700 if you can prove Sinatra provenance), and they've been steadily going up in price over the past several years. The APT in good condition with no issues seems to run from $300 to $500 (or more) where they've been for some time. I haven't seen one with the rack-mount front panel in a while but I recall they pegged the needle when offered. My impression from my search is that nothing holds up like a Crown. They continue to perform with no need for repair, and the lettering on the face apparently stays intact better than the APT. There's still something I like about the sound, look, and flexibility the Soundcraftsmen offers . . . to me! I'd buy every Pro-Control-Four I could find in good condition for $200! I still own a couple of DX4200s, but I haven't touched them since finding the Pro-Control-Fours.


And welcome to Lansing Heritage!

[grumpy]

a clean Adcom GFP-750 is in the ballpark, a -565, more so.

... even if you had to sort out a rack shelf or custom ears.

[engineerjoe]

I should have also stated that I am currently running 5.1 surround in the family room with the Yamaha RX685. A big part of this is to decide to upgrade? to 7.2. I have never heard 7.2 surround yet. I don't know how the rear sets respond or sound with 7.2.
I do know that the Yamaha seems to be underpowered when connected to the new JBLs. Again, I connected them to my old Kenwood 5.1 and they perform much better. I am torn between using a new preamp, and a new 7.2 receiver with onboard power for simplicity. I still have my Ashley 31 band EQs and other stuff but I don't wish to utilize everything and have an overcomplicated system. My girl won't even allow my large custom JBLs upstairs! She would never allow multiple racks of equipment up there. I should have built them in when I built the large house addition.
I think I'm answering my own questions on direction with what would be best for my situation. She has plants on each of my black JBL L series speakers. I think that solves a power struggle for supremacy in the household!
It's funny that when a concert is on of some performer she really likes, the system gets cranked up and put to the test. Otherwise she's complaining over cords and speakers laying around. Maybe a futuristic hidden wireless system would be best?

[Mr. Widget]

Otherwise she's complaining over cords and speakers laying around. Maybe a futuristic hidden wireless system would be best?

That may be your best bet. I would normally suggest outboard amps, but if you can’t hide the gear and the wires, domestic bliss may suffer.


Widget

[SEAWOLF97]

Nothing against the APT, but in researching them to purchase one to compare with my Crown PSL-2 and SL-2 I seemed to come across quite a few in need of work or being sold as-is. At the opposite end are those that have been gone through completely. It sort of slowed me down. Plus, finding one with the rack-mount front panel creates a much smaller universe from which to choose.

AFAIR , JeffW's Apt is one that I sold.
It did have a power switch stuck in the ON position. The AH pre is the "most geared towards playing records" that I've ever seen.
IF you are playing a lot of LP's, that's the one I'd look for. Designed by T. Holman (of THX fame) , he included features far beyond the common preamp.

[JeffW]

Nope, different one. I have yours, the rack mount one, and a third one.

[BMWCCA]

Nope, different one. I have yours, the rack mount one, and a third one.

That's the way to do it!

[engineerjoe]

I had to read what 4K HDR meant. It's the problem for me trying to come up to current standards. Everytime I learn something, it changes.
Ah crap! it looks like it has it?
https://www.lg.com/hk_en/tv/lg-55UJ6500

[Chevelle]

Don`t laugh before you have heard a NIKKO BETA II preamp.... If you often hear vinyl records you will be surprised. Better than the preamp section of my Denon PMA850 and Pioneer SA9500. Feeding a BGW750C and a pair of 4315.

Hjalmar

[engineerjoe]

It's now settled. I bought an older used denon AVR3313 receiver that has everything to help me here. It has preamp outputs so I could use it to drive my amps if needed. It claims to have plenty of power anyways. I believe it even has 3 HDMI outputs to drive my TVs!
Now to hope it works when it gets here all the way from California. I probably overlooked something important again. For the low price, it seemed to be the way for me to go right now. Impulse buy Urrggg.

[Mr. Widget]

It's now settled. I bought an older used denon AVR3313 receiver that has everything to help me here. It has preamp outputs so I could use it to drive my amps if needed. It claims to have plenty of power anyways. I believe it even has 3 HDMI outputs to drive my TVs!
Now to hope it works when it gets here all the way from California. I probably overlooked something important again. For the low price, it seemed to be the way for me to go right now. Impulse buy Urrggg.

It won’t handle 4K HDR or Dolby Vision content, but if you don’t have a high end very current TV, you can’t use those features anyway. You should be fine with the Denon.


Widget