My Esoteric C-03x had two pairs of balanced analogue outputs and two pairs of RCA outputs. I assume most Esoteric preamps of the past decade would also. The C-03x also lets the user turn off either the RCA outputs or the XLR outputs. Another option few will wish to take but which has worked for me is a professional monitor controller. I'm overall very pleased with the Crane Song Avocet II. It includes their Quantum DAC with three AES digital inputs, three analogue inputs on XLR, and three analogue outputs on XLR. The analogue outputs are switched: only one is active at a given time. Anyway, for what it's worth, it replaced the 4 or 5 times more expensive Esoteric C-03x and drives my active speaker system via 30 ft. Mogami 3173 interconnects (excellent for both analogue and AES digital).
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.
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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@dr_joe That is some out of the box thinking. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AvocetIIa--crane-song-avocet-iia http://www.cranesong.com/Avocet_PAR.pdf Do you do streaming from Tidal or Qobuz. If so how do you do it into this DAC? Is there a streaming device that is ROON READY and can output AES into this Crane. DAC? This system is for my office and I am really open to something different. |
@yyzsantabarbara If supporting the balanced standard is important to you (it results in better sound...) one thing you can look for on any balanced preamp is whether it has RCA outputs as well. If there is no switch to go between the balanced operation or single-ended, then you can conclude that the preamp does not support the standard. The switch would be used to sort out the ground issue. If there is no switch that means that all the outputs of the preamp reference ground and so ground is used to complete the signal circuit. |
- 55 posts total