2. amps-preamps
  3. 157819-1301

Itching to upgrade preamp...

I'm thinking the preamp might be the weak link at this point... Today I'm using a Pass X0.2 preamp.

The rest of the setup:
Pass XA60.5
Audio Physic Avanti III
PS Audio DirectStream Sr (with bridge2)
PS Audio PerfectWave transport

All interconnects are Cardas Clear XLR. Speaker cables are Cardas Clear Beyond. Power cords are Cardas Clear to everything except amps, which is Clear Beyond. All power is through a PS Audio PP12.

I'm thinking i may want to try a tube preamp with this... although I'm open to solid state as well
128x128audiojan
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
If you have a balanced line amp, I would go with a balanced preamp. The cables will perform better and the amplifier will too.


schubert
7,386 posts
 
Croft
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Rogue RP-7.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 
Since you get as many recommendations as you do responses, I will throw mine in the ring. I highly recommend the latest version of the Don Sachs Model 2 preamplifier. Hard to believe you can get sound this good for so little $$.

Oz



audiojan's avatar
audiojan OP
402 posts
 
Lots of very interesting suggestions! I guess I need to find a bunch of dealers within driving distance and simply test them out.

The test with the PrimaLuna EVO400 (yes, I ran it fully balanced... just swapped the cables from my X0.2 and also grabbed the power cord, so about as equal as you can get) gave me new appreciation for the Pass pre... it's pretty good, but I wish it could give just a bit more space and maybe a smidgen of "tube glow"
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