I need a good preamp, and have been looking around, but at the same time I have looked at my in-home resources. I bought an Aiwa mini-component set a week or two ago at a flea market, and the cassette deck was more DOA than not, the tuner OK, the power amp OK, the preamp very scritchy. It cleaned up well with deoxit, but I have a hard time viewing it as a quality component. I bought it as a make-do unit anyway. It has enough inputs, but barely.

I also have a Marantz PMS 3500, which is the center section of a boombox - yes Marantz made at least one model. It has internal tuner and tape, and the power to speakers is very modest, but it does have a preamp out. Trouble is, the only inputs are phono and aux. Not enough, and it needs cleaning too.

There is, out in the shed, an Arcam Delta 60 integrated in need of a gain pot. If I get that fixed, can a shop establish preamp outs in an integrated amp? I think the Arcam has all the needed inputs, and is a well-made unit. What do you think? Is conversion [perversion?] possible??

Laz

get one of these. At least two good reviews. I have one. I've heard it rival $1800 pres. It is a little light on features though.

the kingrex pre:

http://www.audio-magus.com/category_s/3.htm

removable jumpers that bypass the amp side are common with integrated amps, but if the Arcam does not have jumpers a shop should be able to make the bypass internally easy enough.

i bet the Arcam would make for a nice sounding pre, but if i were in the market for just a pre, i would have the gain pot fixed and sell it as a full functioning integrated and get a dedicated pre with the proceeds.

No go - the cosmetics aren't up to snuff.

A little light on inputs too - I need at least one tape loop.

ah, i see. i think the Arcam would make a solid pre. i would see what its going to cost to repair the pot and bypass the amp, and base that against the cost of a decent pre.

I think I'll pursue that idea.

There supposed to be a V2 with four inputs coming out.