Mono Stereo Preamplifier Home Audio - Rack Mount Preamp For Turntable Phono, Tape Record/Player To Amplifiers/Sound Systems - Stereo Pre Amp W/ Microphone/Tuner/CD/AUX/Phono Input RCA - Pyramid PR2500

It took me a while to decide to buy this Pyramid pre-amp as I read many pro & con reviews here and on another blogs. Finally, after much soul searching (and with “Lipstick 6” approval) I decided to go for it.Now, I had started to put together a vintage stereo system in my man-cave and after executing a throughout search in my garage and attic, I was able to retrieve a semblance of a good component system.I realized to my dismay that the Insignia amp/receiver does not have a phono input so when I connected an Orbit turntable, the signal was weak at best.Enter the Pyramid Preamp. Unlike some of the reviewers that complained the workmanship was to be desired, I found it of a good quality for the price. Connecting the preamp to my Rockville equalizer and then to the amp was a breeze and without any major issues. Not only was I able to connect the turntable but also a Denon tuner, a Pioneer min-disc, an JVC CD burner double cassette Deck and finally a Bluetooth adapter.I was impressed by the quality and increased volume from before and after. I have the system rigged to a pair of Sony speakers and subwoofer, and another pair of vintage Technics speakers that kick butt!The preamp works like a charm and I would recommend it for those who are re-discovering the simple pleasures of listening to 70/80’s rock in its pure form and loudness (without the long hair).

Up date 11/1/14 ... I just received the forth one of these that I have purchased. This one is also SEA2500X. Guess the SEA2500X may be the only model still being distributed.This is the third one of these that I have purchased in the past two years or so. Every one that I have purchased including the most recent one, was advertised as a Pyramid PR2500/SEA2500. Every one that I have received was a Pyramid SEA2500X. I am not complaining since the SEA2500X is a more expensive and at least on paper higher spec model. They work well with the high powered amplifiers (1000 watts or more) that I use for stage PA systems.The units have held up well being rack mounted in carrier boxes along with the power amps and other processing modules. None of them have failed in this type of service over the past two years.The sound quality of the units is fine for PA type applications, but when I tested the unit with an audiophile quality music system they did not compare well with other higher-end and more expensive preamps that I normally used in that system. It did not deliver as good as high frequency response.For the price I would recommend the unit, at least SEA2500X, for general sound system usage but not as part of a high-end audio music system.

I have not installed it It seems to have on it that I want. I have an old cassette player and old linear record player I fixed and want to hook back up. I bought this amp to better sound out of the to players. It looks great, Amazon was fast on the shipping. NOTE TO AMAZON: THERE WAS NO TAPE ON THE BOTTOM OF BOX YOU SHIPPED THE AMP BOX IN, ONLY ABOUT INCH OF TAPE THE TOP OF BOX GOING OVER SIDE TO THE BOTTOM ONE SIDE THE OTHER SIDE ON THE BOTTOM HAD NO TAPE!!! IT IS WONDER THE AMP BOX STAYED IN SHIPPING BOX DURING SHIPPING.

Great pre-amp with very useful features, but as others have mentioned, it has a very low output. In fact, it does not amplify the input source (which is normal for a pre-amp), but it seems it actually reduces the source volume (which is NOT normal). Even with all the equalization maxed and the loadness control maxed as well, the amplifier connected to the pre-amp output receives a lower signal than if the source was connected directly to it. This forces to have the pre-amp volume at two thirds all the time in order to have decent output volume. It is very annoying to have to sacrifice amplifier power because of this issue. This is the reason why I give only 3 stars. Otherwise, it would have been a full 5 stars review. One more thing, the model I received is not the one at the pictures, it is the SEA2500X. This is actually a good thing as it is better than the SEA2500, but for some people who preferred to have separate push buttons to select differente sources, take into account that the SEA2500X has a single knob for this purpose and no leds to mark the selected source, only the labels.

I'm a little disappointed that the stepped volume control is a little course, and in my application the sound was either a little too loud or too low. But I'm giving it five stars anyway because the value for the low price is so great. Even if it dies in a year, at this price it's worth it. You can basically buy this for ten cups of Starbucks.Update: I recently tried to use this preamp with my vintage Crown power amp and found that there wasn't enough gain to drive my Crown to full power. Most vintage power amps such as Crown, Phase Linear, and Dynaco needs about 1.75V to achieve full output, but the Pyramid preamp only outputs 0.5V. So if you're planning on driving an older power amp you should make sure that 0.5V output is enough for your application.

This Pyramid pre amp looks neat and has enough functions but the quality of sound reproduction is nothing to brag about.I was running the larger Dayton power amp with a pair of Polk TSI 200 speakers.(All from Amazon.) Connected to my PC audio out.I really liked the sound but added the Pyramid pre amp to switch in more sources.Some may not notice and may live with this but I do not like the sound being altered.