Best Preamp New or Used up to $3,000 ??

Georgehifi4,

Not to steal the Op's thread...

I run a McCormack DNA 500 with input impedance of 10,000 ohms. My Hegel DAC is 2.5 volts. Speakers are  Thiel CS5's, which are pretty inefficient with frequency response of 23Hz–20kHz ±1dB.

Any tube preamp suggestions? Could a passive work?

Thanks for listening,

Dsper

dsper

Hi, my answer to your question is first, but the last paragraph is the way to go.

With your 10kohm input impedance on the DNA500 it need 2.2v for full output, very hard to get a tube or passive to work with this.
But a 10kohm passive because it’s essentially a another resistive load to ground like the input of the amp. What the source will see is 2 x 10kohm load to ground which equals 5kohm.

Your lucky because your HD30 is a very low 22ohms output impedance at 2.6v, this should be no problems driving into combined 5kohms above, and you have 2.6v at you disposal from your source, you only need 2.25v in for full output on the DNA.

But why go this way you Hegal HD30 dac has a "high quality volume control" use it direct into your amp instead as it will be the very best for transparency and dynamics and an absolute perfect match. This way you can use rca or balanced because the Hegal and DNA500 have both, try both as it can go either way which sounds best.
(read your manual on how to activate and use this 0-100 level remote control volume control)



Cheers George

Synergy with your other components is key.  In your price range the McIntosh C220 tune pre amp is certainly a contender.

I have 2.6 Maggies driven by McIntosh 501s via a C220 pre amp that I paid 2,500 for.  After years of searching, I quit changing components and just got into my music.

Your ears may differ in sound choice, but think synergy between amp, pre amp and speakers.

Not on your list and easier to get in UK is a Croft 25R - sublime phono and line preamp. I have in rega R8 / croft / ATC P1 power/ Harbeth

It’s a combo valve hybrid - it isn’t the prettiest - noone notices small footprint - but I’ll never sell. 

With your 10kohm input impedance on the DNA500 it need 2.2v for full output, very hard to get a tube or passive to work with this.

@dsper FWIW I know of a couple of tube preamps that have no problem with this sort of load whatsoever.