2. amps-preamps
  3. 154306-1604

Preamps with Dual XLR Outputs

I am looking for preamps with dual XLR outputs to drive 2 separate stereo amps which are connected to 2 different speakers sets. My understanding is the Mola Mola Makua w/DAC and streaming board that is ROON READY can do this. It costs $20K and is my leading contender for my next preamp + DAC + streamer. I am going to output the signal to a Benchmark AHB2 amp + KEF LS50 speakers for one path. The other path is Luxman m900u amp + Yamaha NS 5000 speakers. My understanding is that turning off one of the amps stops the preamp from using that signal path. Perfect. I have heard all the components except the Mola Mola Makua so I will likely do a home trial on that.

My question is what other brands have an analog preamp with dual XLR outputs to do what I describe above? The preamp does not need to support an internal DAC. I could go for an external DAC like a LUMIN X1 or Denafrips Terminator.

BTW - if the Mola Mola Makua or any other brand cannot support my use case (I have been told it can). I will buy 1 preamp, such as the Benchmark LA4 to go to the AHB2 + LS50 system and also buy a DAC, such as Lumin X1,  to go direct to the Luxman + Yamaha system. Both speakers will be in the same room.
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gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
Ayre KX-R
Bob
jlarryk
16 posts
 
Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,816 posts
 
Ear-Yoshino 868 (reviewed in Positive Feedback and Enjoy The Music) and 912 (review by Art Dudley in Stereophile).
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
My understanding is that turning off one of the amps stops the preamp from using that signal path.

However it does not stop the preamp from being loaded by the combined input impedance of both amps, given that almost all preamps providing dual outputs drive both outputs from the same output stage.

Consequently I would rule out the Rogue preamp that was suggested. The balanced input impedance of your Benchmark amp is 50K; the balanced input impedance of the Luxman amp is 34K. Assuming those numbers apply when each amp is powered down (which is not always the case) their combined impedance is (50 x 34)/(50 + 34) = 20K.

Stereophile measured the balanced output impedance of the Rogue RP-7 as rising from extremely low values at mid and high frequencies to a very high 5.64K at 20 Hz. Not a good match, given the wide variation of output impedance coupled with the ratio of amp input impedance to preamp output impedance of less than 4:1 at 20 Hz.

The Makua, Ayre, and W4S preamps that have been suggested should be ok in that respect. Not sure about the EAR.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al


willgolf
936 posts
 
I owned the Makua but not with the DAC + streamer.  I am sure you can find one online for way less than $20k  I recently sold my Kaluga and Makua.  I also own the Lumin X-1 after previously owning the A-1.  I absolutely love the X-1 and that will be my streamer / dac for at least the next 10 years.  The Lumin App was so good in my mind that I did not need ROON.
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