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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
4,941 posts
 
Man I cannot believe I did not remember the Luxman c900u has this dual output XLR feature. I demoed this preamp 2 times too. Getting old.

Selects an output mode from the following 3 kinds: unbalanced output, balanced output, and bi-amplifier output

Every time this switch is pressed, the output changes as→→follows: UNBAL
BAL
BI-AMP

• Unbalanced output (UNBAL)
Sound comes out from LINE-1 and LINE-2.

• Balanced output (BAL)
Sound comes out from BAL LINE-1 and BAL LINE-2.

• Bi-amplifier output (BI-AMP)
Sound comes out from LINE-1 and LINE-2.
LINE-1 (Lch): LOW (Lch)LINE-1 (Rch): LOW (Rch)
LINE-2 (Lch): HIGH (Lch)LINE-2 (Rch): HIGH (Rch)
strindl
10 posts
 
If you can find a used one, the Threshold T2 has dual XLR outputs. I'm using both on my system, one with  short XLR cables going to a Threshold SA/4e, the other going with 35 foot long XLR's to a pair of Emotiva XPA-1 monoblocs. The signal  with both sets of amps is dead silent at the speakers with no signal,

spinaker01
491 posts
 
Some of the Audio Research pre’s have dual XLR
azwill
97 posts
 
Vinnie Rossi Signature L2 can be configured with dual XLR balanced outputs.    Standard is single pair XLR, single pair RCA's, and single pair trigger outputs for amps.  Either the RCA's or triggers can be changed to XLR's.
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,941 posts
 
Questions to W4S:

1. Does the STP-SE preamp support the Balanced XLR AES48 Standard for the 2 XLR outputs?

2. Can I hook up 2 amps to the preamp. I want to use a Benchmark AHB2 amp and a Luxman m900u amp connected to 2 different speaker sets. I would turn one of the amps OFF when using the speakers connected to the powered up amp.

3. 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 their combined impedance is (50 x 34)/(50 + 34) = 20K

Answers from W4S:

Thank you for your email and interest.

1) yes, everything is star grounded.
2) yes, this will work well assuming the amps dont short the signal when off.
3) the input impedance of the amps are combined when on or off and as long as the paralled value is higher than 15k, there will be no problem.

Thank you and talk to you soon,
EJ Sarmento

BTW - that Luxman c900u does not support AES48. I forgot that I asked the engineers.

The W4S is what I will do a home trial with first. I many even try their w4S Anniversay DAC though the Lumin X1 DAC is something I wanted to try with a preamp that does not have an internal DAC. In about 10 days I see where the money to do this comes from.
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