Krell FPB-300 -W?- Pre- AR MRK 11 or BAT 50SE-51SE

You could try a passive preamp, A transformer type unit will get rid of that somewhat bright/harch sound. Transformer passives don't suffer from the same problems that resistor based units have. I have a krell ksa250 amp and a sony xa777 sacd player. Check out Bent audio web site for their model 102 transformer passive unit, you can use rca or xlr inputs and or out outputs. They will build your unit any way you want it. They are building one for me right now. They will let you try before you buy so you can't lose. Go to the audio asylum web site and do a search for tvc and you can read all about transformer volume controls. Also bent audio has a forum on the harmondiscord web site. You will like this better than any cdp with volume control and you can add a TT or others as you would like.

I agree that the Wadia, with the proper balanced interconnects, and with the output sensitivity adjusted, will sound very good indeed. I have used the 850 this way, and the current owner, who is in the music business in Canada, is very pleased with his set up running "direct." The nice thing about the 86x is that you also have a balance control lacking on the 850.

I run a Wadia 830 direct into my BAT amp...big system improvement removing a preamp and those interconnects...the Wadia lets you set its volume control to your amps output voltage so you can keep the volume in the 70 percent or greater setting for the most resolution-bits.

What balance inerconnects would be best with the Wadia.
Proy

I use a Hovland HP100 pre with Krell FPB 300cx. Marriage made in heaven. no problems with matching.

Neal