TomBig58
Super Member
I recently came across a listing for a Luxman TP 117 that was part of a mixed stack with a couple of amps I really didn't need or want. He lowered his stack price but I procrastinated and it was gone. The flexibility and connection options on that pre are amazing. Is it any good? Good phono stage? I like that it has two pre outs. I don't like that some functions are available ONLY by remote!
So I got to thinking I would like a nice 2 channel preamp with decent onboard tuner and a remote to couple with my Adcom GFA-545II and maybe another amp. I listen to a lot of radio while doing whatever around the apartment and a remote would sure come in handy to crank up the good stuff and turn down the commercials without walking over there. Skipping a song on a cd is another thing I would love to do remotely even if I have to match manufacturer for a disc changer to use the same remote. It also MUST have a decent phono stage!
Another that piqued my interest was a Carver CT17 I suppose because it's Carver and I thought it would be fun to play around with the holography feature. Some net info said the newer CT24 had issues so I dismissed that model. Does the CT17 fall into that "later models Carver crap" category? This model is 5.1. is there a comparable 2ch pre and is it any good?
Are the Adcom preamps any good?
I'm looking at mostly $125-$200 used on CL and I used ebay just for info. I've never purchased gear on ebay and don't need to start now. I did see a Yamaha CX800U that was just so clean and sexy with it's hidden controls I love it. Is it worth twice some of the other models? No tuner on it though and it's another A/V model while I'm looking for two channel only.
I'm in no hurry I just wanted to get some opinions and ideas here before I post anything WTB over in Barter Town. I don't want to go high end here and I know you guys have some good "bang for the buck" knowledge. Maybe some Pioneer "Elite" series models?
Thanks in advance.
So I got to thinking I would like a nice 2 channel preamp with decent onboard tuner and a remote to couple with my Adcom GFA-545II and maybe another amp. I listen to a lot of radio while doing whatever around the apartment and a remote would sure come in handy to crank up the good stuff and turn down the commercials without walking over there. Skipping a song on a cd is another thing I would love to do remotely even if I have to match manufacturer for a disc changer to use the same remote. It also MUST have a decent phono stage!
Another that piqued my interest was a Carver CT17 I suppose because it's Carver and I thought it would be fun to play around with the holography feature. Some net info said the newer CT24 had issues so I dismissed that model. Does the CT17 fall into that "later models Carver crap" category? This model is 5.1. is there a comparable 2ch pre and is it any good?
Are the Adcom preamps any good?
I'm looking at mostly $125-$200 used on CL and I used ebay just for info. I've never purchased gear on ebay and don't need to start now. I did see a Yamaha CX800U that was just so clean and sexy with it's hidden controls I love it. Is it worth twice some of the other models? No tuner on it though and it's another A/V model while I'm looking for two channel only.
I'm in no hurry I just wanted to get some opinions and ideas here before I post anything WTB over in Barter Town. I don't want to go high end here and I know you guys have some good "bang for the buck" knowledge. Maybe some Pioneer "Elite" series models?
Thanks in advance.