PREAMPLIFIER UPGRADE QUESTION


My system consists of the following:

1. Martin Logan Impressions 11A

2. Rogue RP-1 preamplifier

3. Lumin U@ mini streamer with Chord Qutest DAC.

4. Bryston 4B3 Cubed power amplifier

I just purchased the Bryston amplifier and it has brought my speakers to life. From dull and listless to vibrant and alive.

I would like to upgrade my preamp and my three choices are as follows:

1. Rogue Audio RP-9-tubes

2. Bryston BR-19 which is fully balanced.

3. Conrad Johnson ET6 or ET6SE

My cables are Cardas Clear Cygnus

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

128x128kjl1065

Those are three very different sounding preamps so not really sure what you’re after here.  What specific improvements and sound characteristics are you looking for, what’s your budget, and are you looking for new or used?  

@soix 

 

Definitly what are your tastes. I like musical preamps that are detailed. So I own Audio Research, and alternatively would own Conrad Johnson. I would not own Rogue, and Bryston is too focused on precision / transparency for me. But, for you, it might be different.

Looking for a preamp that in short is truer to the recording than the preamp that I currently own. In short, seeking transparent, quiet and a preamp that works well with the Bryston 4B3 cubed which I recently purchased. I like the fact that the Bryston BP-19 is a fully balanced preamp which should improve the sound and deliver more headroom.  My budget is up to $7500.00, which is the retail of the Rogue RP-9. But I am leaning to the Bryston BP-19. Has anybody heard the BP-19?   Thanks. 

As a fourth option, try a Schiit Kara or a Freya+. Way cheaper than the mega buck units. After trying it, you may decide to keep it. The gain options on the Kara are a deal maker. No more turning the volume knob 1/1000 of a turn and the volume is too much. Having a low/high gain preamp is indispensable.  

The new Schitt Mjolnir v3 is a very good preamp. It does not have a remote and is more of a desktop preamp/headphone amp. However, I found it much better than the Freya+. I use this for headphones, but I have used it with a CODA #16 amp.

If you want a preamp that is TRUE TO THE RECORDING then the 2 obvious choices are what I use, the Benchmark LA4 or HPA4 and the Holo Audio Serene. These 2 will not add to the sound of your other gear. That maybe a good thing or terrible based on what you want to achieve.

I owned a Bryston BP-20 preamp long ago and it is not in the same class as the LA4 and Serene and even the Mjolnir v3. I also had the current Bryston headphone amp, and it was somewhat similar to the BP-20, too hard on top.