Preamps with Dual XLR Outputs

I just spent some time reading the reviews of the W4S preamp. They make it seem like a slightly noisier version of the Benchmark LA4, but with the specs I am looking for with dual output XLR. Both peamps are being described as "straight wire with gain".

When I first saw photos of W4S a long time ago I had the impression it could not be the ultimate in sound quality. Then a few years ago I heard W4S demo their then new mono blocks with a full W4S stack and KEF Reference 1 speakers. I was really impressed by the sound and how much I was into the music. They were playing some Pink Floyd in a nice hotel room. The sound of their gear was was completely deceiving to me given my impression of the looks (though looks do not matter if the sound is excellent).

The W4S 10 year anniversary DAC should also be something I should consider if I persue the W4S preamp. The ESS Sabre DAC’s maybe a good choice with the softer sounding Yamaha NS 5000 over the Denafrips (Lumin X1 is also Sabre).

I am really excited about the pre-amps listed in this thread. It is only recently that I came to understand what those dual XLR outputs can do. It took me about a year of figuring things out to get me to this point. I am lucky I was broke last year and could not afford to prematurely buy the wrong gear.

I should add that I am looking for the XLR outputs of the preamp to support the Balanced XLR AES48 standard. I have confirmed with Benchmark and Mola Mola that their units do support it. This is important to me because I plan on putting everything, except the amps, far away from the speakers. I may need something like 25 feet of XLR to reach the amps. I do not indent to spend a lot of $$ on the XLR’s if the AES48 standard is supported.

Now off to read about the other preamps listed above.

Like others have said, there are several preamps that have dual XLR outputs.  However, the only preamp I know of that actually has a separate analog output stage driving the second set of XLR outputs is the Classe CT-800.  I think the new Classe Delta preamp may work the same way, but you should check with Classe.

@yyzsantabarbara

The Atma-Sphere MP-3 and MP-1 both have dual balanced outputs and no worries driving low impedances. FWIW Atma-Sphere made the first balanced line preamps anywhere way back in 1989.

A tip: If your preamps supports the balanced line standard also known as AES48 (Audio Engineering Society file 48) then you will have the ability to drive longer cables without coloration, and less coloration from cables in general. You will also have less likelihood of encountering a ground loop. This will allow you to place the amp right by the speaker if you want, allowing you to run a shorter speaker cable. You also won't have to spend as much on the interconnects!

@atmasphere You are my AES48 hero (save me $$$) and I have been including that feature as an essential requirement when I look into the preamp - amp interface. With my limited experience with Benchmark gear, which support AES48, I tend to agree with your statements about the XLR interconnects. I just did not understand why my Benchmark observations were that way until you explained AES48 in some other threads.

I am not sure if a tube preamp would work well with the Yamaha NS 5000 speaker. I am also not sure if I would get the benefit of super low noise floor of the Benchmark AHB2 with a tube preamp. The Yamaha system will already be a softer sound with the Luxman and the KEF LS50 will be very detailed with the Benchmark. This is my intention to have 2 flavors of sound in my room. I will read up on these 2 atmasphere preamp units though.

So far the W4S preamp jumps at me as being in the same vein as the Benchmark and Mola Mola Makua in design, "straight wire with gain". Though the W4S is supposed to only add gain after pot 64 in the volume control, not sure what that means. I have posted a question to W4S on Facebook about support for AES48. If they respond I will post the answer here.

I would have suggested Ralph’s preamps, but it seemed like you wanted only SS.
To save you some research Ayre KX-R supports the AES 48 standard. If you can find a non-Twenty version, it would be a less expensive route- while still giving you the option of upgrading when finances allow.
That is what I did.
Bob