2. amps-preamps
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Need advice replacing my preamp

I have a Modwright LS100. Very nice but not balanced and I have long RCA's so they pick up noise. I am considering 2 preamps. Kindly share your knowledge/experience and advise what you think is better. BTW I will be mating this with a Wells Audio Inamorata power amp. The 2 preamps in question are the BAT vk42se or PS Audio BHK Signature Pre. Thanks.
jimbones
tweak1
3,657 posts
 
Ralph knows his stuff, BUT, 'my' personal experience running 100% true differentially balanced systems is that "I" have heard the difference between 0.5M XLRs and 1.0M XLRs from the SAME company: Eichmann Express Copper. Now that was ~ 10 years ago but I never tried it with other XLR cables

Hopefully R will chime in
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,499 posts
 
The question is, if you are looking for fully balanced or a preamp with XLRs.  Fully balanced, I would add Rogue to your list.  The RP7 is fully balanced and at $5K is a great value.  Rogue will give PS Audio a run for their money in terms of customer service. 

If you don't need fully balanced, the KR P-135 is a really cool preamp.  45 based, delivers detail and a massive soundstage.  

There are outstanding reviews of both.  The Rogue is $5K.   The KR lists for $6200 I think.  

Full disclosure, I am a KR dealer.  I have no affiliation with Rogue other than the fact that I happily own a Hydra.  
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
'my' personal experience running 100% true differentially balanced systems is that "I" have heard the difference between 0.5M XLRs and 1.0M XLRs from the SAME company: Eichmann Express Copper. Now that was ~ 10 years ago but I never tried it with other XLR cables
@tweak1 @jimbones  If the equipment does not support the standard, you'll be hearing differences between cables. That is also why you see so much disagreement about the value of balanced operation.
jimbones OP
255 posts
 
@atmasphere  I agree, I am trying to rule out the cables first. BTW I should have clarified that I would like to go Solid State and fully balanced over time. The idea is as I am getting older I dont want to futz with tubes and noise issues so I want to position myself with equipment that will give me that reliability and low noise. Thanks.
tweak1
3,657 posts
 
Atmosphere

When Paul McGowan started selling reasonably priced true balanced preamps I made the switch. True balanced preamps I have owned includes several PS Audio preamps, Lector Audio (special ordered), Parasound (although the pres are 100% true balanced their balanced IOs are), Audio Alchemy DDP-1. Virtually all amps were monoblocks, with the exception of my EVS 1200 which is dual mono 2 AS1200 IcePower modules, but one power cord, although there are 2 PC IECs installed
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