New Preamp needed

[zelig2]

Unfortunately it's looking like my preamp is slowly dying. The center channel has been giving me some noise for a while (past month) but nothing major. Just noticeable during silence. Well now the channel is completely gone. The speaker and monoblock are working fine and I've replaced the cabling between the preamp and monoblock. I was really hoping to hold onto this preamp until the HDMI 1.3 stuff was solid and readily available in most models. Then I wouldn't have to pay a premium. If my preamp is going it's only a matter of time till my TV bites the dust (which could happen since I've noticed a few video anomalies from time to time).

Well anyway, my current preamp is from Sony (TA-E9000ES) and has been quite the performer over the past 6 years. Can anyone make any good recommendations for a replacement?

[Robbiee19]

McIntosh C220 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier is very good. If you have the money.

[snodgrass23]

Well, that one is going to be almost twice the cost of his current pre-amp.

What kind of features, specifically, are you looking for and what price range? Do you want something similar to your Sony in style and sound?

Another option is to get another used Sony in good shape to last you another year or two. They look like they are going for about $350 or so which is going to be a lot less than a new one, especially if you are still satisfied with its features and performance.
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1165945576

[Robbiee19]

That's why I put if you have the money.

[zelig2]

I'd prefer not to spend much at the moment since I just bought a MacBook Pro along with a 24" monitor. Add to that I really want to get a Nikon D200 by November I think I should hold off spending much. I've been going through my equipment in my basement and remembered that I have an old B&K preamp (AVP-2030) that will do DD5.1 decoding. It's SNR is only about 89 which should get me through for a few years I'm hoping. I already have a component video switcher (Zektor HDS4) that does the digital audio switching too. I think if I run the audio output to my old B&K I'll at least get up and running for a while. Unfortunately I loose DTS but I'll try to make do for a few years. Hopefully the B&K still works as well. It's been boxed up for 6 years. I've even got the AC-3 RF demodulator that allows my old laserdisc player to output DD5.1. Ahh those were the days. Where $50 for a movie was normal. If this temporary solution doesn't work I'll let you know. I'm hoping it does. I've got all afternoon to replace the Sony.

[zelig2]

I've got McIntosh speakers but I don't think the McIntosh C220 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier is what I'm looking for. I'm wanting something to pair with my home theater stuff not just an audio listening room (as nice as that would be to have). The only time I spend on just listening to music is in the car nowadays.