Vote

Two pairs of XLR should be the default on all equipment that supports balanced audio.

i'VE NEVER BEEN CAUGHT SHORT FOR INPUTS BUT i WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST I've never been caught short with the sheer number of inputs available but I would like to suggest that having a dedicated passive type input in preamps as a standard feature would be an asset to me and, I'm sure, many others.

I do have separate audio and video rooms and equipment but my 2 channel preamp does have both a tape loop and video inputs. When I ran out of inputs on my older gear a few years back, I did pick up a good quality DBX router, which offered plenty of additional inputs at not too much money. I bet they're still around.

Let's see.... one turntable and one computer.... what else do you need? An Elcassette?

I've never needed more than one. my last two preamps were custom-built with only one input.

especially digital inputs...

Seems like too many of the current list of preamps are line source only and phono pre's have to be purchaed separately. Maybe that's the reason I still feel very comfortable with my older Bryston and Hafler units since I am not one of those folks who "threw out" all of their records for "better sound forever".

My sources are: cassette, RTR tape, FM tuner, digital tape, SACD, CD, DVD, phono, satellite, broadcast TV, and computer. My preamp has four inputs. I spend way too much time unplugging and plugging inputs. All because these guys don't want to spend an extra ten bucks on an adequate switch!

How many worthwhile sources are there?

A wise designer should consider building and selling a reasonably priced switching unit that could be bought separately. Of course, it would have to be sonically tranparent. I've been looking at some of these in the pro and semi-pro audio recording arena, but I wounder about sonic quality from the likes of Pro-Sonus et al.

My passive preamp has only two inputs plus a tape loop. It can be very frustrating to work with.

Many preamps have four or maybe five inputs (inclluding tape). If you prefer, like I do, to have several playback and/or recording sources at the same time, this is not enough. Where I find it mostly lacking is the number of outputs. Again, there are those with two outputs, but mostly single ended, with some of them having just one balanced. If you want to bi-amp balanced, like I do, the choice gets very thin.

I have one main source: phono, so three is plenty for me. What is usually lacking in new preamps is a phono input.

Uh, I chose a product that provided the sound I was looking for (none!) and offered the flexibility I desired. Why would I buy a product that didn't have enough connections or room to grow by 1 or 2? Just turn the damn thing around and look. There are many alternate products to choose from afterall.

Four pairs of inputs is definetely all you need on high-end preamps or integrateds because high quality sources are only limited to Vinyl and CD (stretching it a bit)! Frequency spread of other sources (tuners, vcr's, tv, portables) can be handled by low priced Yamahas, Sonys and Denons. There is absolutely no need to connect your Apple to your Pathos with your silver siltech!!!

I would like at least 3 aux and 3 tape loops

Four? My minimalist pre sports only three and it is just enough—vinyl, CD, FM. In keeping with the current fad, all unnecessary parts have been eliminated, including the tape loop, tone controls, balance and remote control. Separate volume knobs for the left and right channel moot the missing balance. Its design is simple and clean, but so is the music it produces. I have an AV set-up with all the extra controls and inputs. While it is certainly more convenient, I usually find myself listening to the clean sound of the simpler system. Where is this trend heading? I have a buddy who uses only a stepped attenuater between his CD player and power amp. When he wants to listen to vinyl he has to unplug the CD player and plug in the phono amp. It only takes a few seconds.

Preamps usually lack a phono input nowadays. Manufacturers should take the resurgence of vynil into account.

I mostly use just two inputs, but all five all taken. I would really like my preampo to have a couple more. Anyway, I can always use the receiver (7 analog, 5 digital inputs, home cinema, very lo-fi).

Actually, I'm thinking of my next system having an integrated amp, with no separate connecting inter connects to have to get. And, I think the overall tone quality will be better. Why try to increase the inputs. People don't use half of them that are there. Bob

I don't ask much: RIAA, CD, and a tape loop for the sound card. But the option of more balanced inputs would be nice.

3-4 inputs + recording/monitoring are enough.

Four is on the low side but the one I'm using (a Swedish Advantage Pre One) now has two balanced and five single-ended, which is sufficient.

Yes, untill just lately, I've been thinking about adding a tuner just to hear what the heck they're playing on KKUP in Cupertino. As it is now we would have to give up Dish Network, although not a bad trade.

What happened to the good old days when preamps had phono, lots of inputs, tone controls (gasp!), mono (maybe even l,r, rev), balance and even a built in headphone jack. I miss those days, but I still want remote control, too ;-)

Most of them seem to have plenty of inputs, but the ones I buy don't have enough because I consider sound quality before features.

I currently have enough. The lack of availability of Camac termination on interconnects is my audio system perplexity.

My home theater preamp has too many, it's cluttered. Same with my tube integrated.

for my CD player and phono preamp.

If Dynaco could give you more than enough inputs, EPL, two tape loops, plus TWO phono inputs for a few hundred dollars, 30 years ago - why can't it be offered now?