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.
yyzsantabarbara
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,871 posts
 
@don I used to own the BAT VK 42-SE preamp. I do not recall now if it had dual XLR’s but it was pretty good. A little soft on the top but a relaxing sound, at least compared to the Bryston BP25 preamp it replaced.

I bought that one used without hearing it first. It turned out to be the best gear I had at that time.
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,871 posts
 
@zprr The place where I may buy the NS 5000 is also a dealer for Simaudio. Something to consider. I may also consider buying the NS 5000 online to have a 60 day home trial. I am almost 100% certain that a CONVOLUTION file for DSP running on ROON will solve any room issues with this rather big "bookshelf" speaker. There is company/guy up in Canada who can create these DSP files given some room measurements and other info. I am reading his book to see if I can do it myself.

I thought the Simaudio 850A preamp and second from top amp were great with the Paradigm Persona 5F I auditioned at the NS 5000 store.
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,871 posts
 
@gdnrbob 
To my mind, you wouldn't be unhappy with either the Ayre or Atmasphere preamps, both provide super clean sound. I would have to have my head in a vice for hours to find a negative thing to say about either.
That is the sound I am gravitated towards. I seem to like a lot of variation of sound  but clean sound (not colored) seems to be what I like the best. In reality I can enjoy a transistor radio if the tunes are good.
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
From the measurements section of Stereophile’s review of the BAT VK-51SE:

The balanced output impedance was twice that specified, at 410 ohms over most of the audioband. This is low, though it did rise to a high 4.7k ohms at 20Hz, due to the size of the output coupling capacitors.

Which means that this preamp is not compliant with the AES48 requirements Ralph has described. It also means that it would not be a good match for the 20K load it would see when connected to both amps, assuming (as is highly likely) that its two balanced outputs are driven by the same output stage.

Best regards,
-- Al

willgolf
936 posts
 
YYZ ---I had the Lumin A-1 connected to an Emm LAB Dac V2X1.  Once I got the Lumin X-1 I sold the EMM Lab.  It is to bad I got rid of my brand new Mola Mola's.  I traded them in to a dealer for Canary Audio Tubes.  You could have purchased mine which were never used for a great price.  Good Luck in your search.

More to discover