Pre Amp and CD Player recommendations

[clew84]

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a stereo preamp and a cd player for a living room system. I have a small pair of Dynaudio Audience bookshelves that I will be using. For the power amp, I am going to use an old Bryston 3B that my brother is loaning me for awhile (probably will sell it to me at a nice family price). Anyway, I want to stay in the range of $2-3k total for both units. So far, I have been looking at NAD and Naim (a bit over my range though). Any thoughts/suggestions on some brands and models that I should audition?

Thanks!

[Robinson_A]

NAD is an excellent choice given the gear you already have. NAD and Dynaudio is quite nice sounding. If you go NAD go with the BEE product numbers for they are some of the best sounding gear NAD has ever made. You may look to Parasound HALO products (good used prices on Audiogon). Also, Arcam makes a great entry level player (again good price on Audiogon). I once had a NAD ???BEE CD player mated to a Parasound Halo P3 preamp going to a variety of different amps and achieved stellar results. Another option is Musical Fidelity's older A series line up of components.

You could go integrated amp and CD player as well. An older Krell Integrated with a older Krell CD player would be great with Dynaudio.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Robinson_A

NAD is an excellent choice given the gear you already have. NAD and Dynaudio is quite nice sounding. If you go NAD go with the BEE product numbers for they are some of the best sounding gear NAD has ever made. You may look to Parasound HALO products (good used prices on Audiogon). Also, Arcam makes a great entry level player (again good price on Audiogon). I once had a NAD ???BEE CD player mated to a Parasound Halo P3 preamp going to a variety of different amps and achieved stellar results. Another option is Musical Fidelity's older A series line up of components.

You could go integrated amp and CD player as well. An older Krell Integrated with a older Krell CD player would be great with Dynaudio.

I agree with Andrew the NAD BEE product lines are amazing for the price.

I'd also suggest a Rega CD Player to go with the NAD Pre-Amp.

Also see if you can find a Wadia integrated CD player (CD Player & Pre-Amp in one unit) if you can find one in that price range on Audiogon I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

If you want the assurance of new, the NAD, Rega, and Arcam units are all really good and have great synergy with Dynaudio.

[Robinson_A]

Rega anything is going to sound great. I completely forgot about them. Their players are fantastic.

Wadia is another great choice however, I fear they may be a bit pricey, even on Audiogon. If you're willing to splurge then go for it. Linn Classic may not be a bad idea. CD/preamp/amp all in one chassis. Linn and Dynaudio go together like cookies and milk.

NAD BEE player and integrated would be my no brainer suggestion.

[Silver Supra]

I'd go for a Linn Unidisk SC... they can be had for around $3k used on audiogon. I really enjoyed mine while I owned it.

[Lotus]

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/apollo.htm

I believe you can find this for $1200 now that they've adjusted prices to the weak american dollar. It was imho a steal at $1000 and maybe you can find it for that still.

Combine it with:

http://nadelectronics.com/products/h...o-Preamplifier

and that will cost you either $599 or $699 I can't remember which.

Combine those two with your amp and speakers and you'll be amazed.

If you're looking for a better preamp:

http://www.audiophilesystems.com/pro...AM&prodid=1235

That will set you back $1999.

Arcam has a CD player for $995 but imho the Rega is a better value and it will synergize well with the other equipment.

I personally think the NAD/REGA combo is a great one considering the amp you have and the speakers.