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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> SE34I: preamp or no preamp?
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Message started by Hipfan on 05/15/12 at 22:24:17

Title: SE34I: preamp or no preamp?
Post by Hipfan on 05/15/12 at 22:24:17

I'm looking for feedback from SE34I Integrated owners on whether you are running a preamp or no. The base SE34I comes with only 1 input and there is a $500 premium to add an additional input. Does it make more sense to spend the premium for an additional input (for CD) and buy a phono stage or put the $500 into a preamp that has phono? I listen to mostly (90%) vinyl.

Title: Re: SE34I: preamp or no preamp?
Post by Rivieraranch on 05/15/12 at 23:34:34

What you are getting for $500 is a volume control and four inputs with a rotary switcher. The so-called straight amplifier is too utilitarian for me.

You could get the Straight amplifier, but frankly it would be better to get Version 2 with the volume control. Then you can get a switchbox to connect multiple sources. DECWARE sells one.

Another alternative would be to get a classic receiver and connect everything to that. You would be using the phono section and CD through an auxiliary input. You can run the preamp output of the receiver to be able to take advantage of the tone controls.

You could also acquire a DECWARE phono stage and hook that up to the SE34. it depends upon what you are comfortable with doing.

Title: Re: SE34I: preamp or no preamp?
Post by Hipfan on 05/16/12 at 00:49:53

Thanks. I was actually thinking about version 2 with gain, but my math was off. The delta is actually $450...my bad

Title: Re: SE34I: preamp or no preamp?
Post by Rivieraranch on 05/16/12 at 02:08:33

I ordered Version 2 as well. I may connect everything to my Marantz and use that as a preamp/tuner/phono stage/auxiliary for CD all in one chassis.