Since you have ps audio amps, why not get ps audio bhk preamp? Should have good synergy.
Pre amp recommendations
My current setup
Gr Research NX studios with 2 subs
PS Audio M700’s amps
Denefrips Pontus dac
Bluesound Node. Streamer
Anthem AVM 60 surround processor
i have good cables and XLR where possible
So, I’ve been upgrading recently and I have to keep my AV system integrated with my 2 channel system. I am very satisfied with my system now but I keep wanting to improve it.
I believe my Anthem is the weak link here.
I’m looking to install a dedicated 2 channel pre amp with theater bypass. I’ve been looking at Musical Fidelity M6s, PS Audio Gain Cell, and Parasound P5 or P6.
Would this be a worthy addition?
I have a Parasound 2100 pre laying around but I feel it wouldn’t be an improvement over the Anthem AVM 60 processor.
I will also recommend the BHK preamp. I added one to my system and it made an improvement that I was not sure was possible in my room/system. The system is much more real sounding, has increased sound stage front to back and top to bottom, a bit more decay in the notes, a generally more musical presentation, and I seem to have lost a boominess in the lower frequencies and the harshness in the higher frequencies. I don't know if you will realize all the benefits when using the Node. I replaced the Node early on and the improvement was easy to detect - I wanted to start with the best signal I could afford as I improved up the chain. |
I was not using the Node’s internal DAC. At the time, I was using a Node that fed into a benchmark DAC3 (DAC and volume control). I swapped the Node for an Aurender N150. You are on the right track, IMO, by focusing on the preamp and the Node. I don’t know which one you should get first. I started with the Node because it was the least expensive item in my chain. My audiophile buddy told me the streamer upgrade would be noticeable because it was for him, and I thought the DAC3 was top-notch - I never considered there would be an improvement with a separate preamp. My audio journey has made me re-think a lot of the opinions I had. |
I have the Parasound P6 connected to PS Audio M700s to Magnepan 1.7i. I love the P6. The feature set alone is amazing and it integrates perfectly with my HT system. Sonically, it does no harm and I’m very pleased with the overall sonics of my system. I had a P5 before and IMO, the P6 is a noticeable improvement. With the P5 I could hear a bit of graininess and the volume control drove me nuts. The P6 improved on both counts and I’m delighted with the improvements they made to the volume control. I’m sure there are sonically better preamps out there but I don’t hear anything out of the P6 that makes me want to change. I can’t comment on the built in DAC nor the phono stage within because I’ve not tried them. I use a Schiit Yggdrasil for the DAC and don’t own a turntable. |
@dahodevil Since your amps have balanced inputs, for best results a balanced preamp should be used too. The advantage of balanced line is the cables can be completely neutral (and thus musical in every way) but to do that the preamp has to support the balanced line standard, known as AES48. I've found that many balanced preamps in high end audio don't support the standard despite being balanced. So it would be a good idea to ask the manufacturer if it is. If they don't seem to know what you're talking about, move on... |
You don’t say what your price range is, but I highly recommend the ARC REF6. It is a phenomenal preamp and is a perfect complement to my Pass Labs 250.8 amp. It just sounds great. Now I will only point out that when I have changed preamps or amps, I have been hyped up on big differences, but the reality is that most of the time there are definitely differences, but they are not night and day. I mean that one pre will definitely sound “better” than another, but to me, that has been an incremental difference. Really the one component that I put into my system that really kicked it up to another level and filled in some of what I felt was lacking — namely depth of soundstage — was a Shunyata Everest power conditioner with a Sigma XC power cable. I was super surprised that it made such a difference! |
Ok, I ordered a BHK pre and waiting for it’s arrival. |