Amp and Pre-Amp suggestions needed

+ Vote for a Schiit Loki . I have one that I’ve used intermittently and I like it . You just need an additional pair of interconnects, which will probably cost more than the Loki.  I am considering a Van Alstine amp myself to pair with my Rogue RP-1. As far as preamps , my friend has a recapped CJ with NOS Telefunkens paired with a Benchmark amp . He uses adapters to run the CJ single ended into Benchmark . He is pleased with the sound and plays a lot of higher quality vinyl. I would get a Don Sachs pre , a Schiit Loki, and the higher power Van Alstine amp, if I were you . I’d also call them and inquire about the tube buffered amp too . If you go with a pre that uses small driver tubes vs octal , I’d HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOS Telefunkens. If you want big tubes , I’d go Quicksilver over ASL. And I’d really like to hear what you choose to do, and how it sounds . Best wishes and happy hunting , Mike B. 

Hey gang,

I wanted to provide an update on this thread. When I first got the speakers home it was readily apparent that the Rogue CM III was not up to the task.

The only other amp in my possession was a 75wpc Belles Aria Integrated. Although it sounded really good, it was considerably less wattage than what Dale recommends to drive his speakers. It worked ok except I had to turn the volume knob up a little more to get to desired listening levels.

Step forward to last Saturday. A local retailer let me borrow a brand new Parasound A21+ and Halo P6. And although I didn’t commit to purchasing the units, I still felt some obligation to buy. Well, the combo sounded completely lackluster. There was no life in the sound, no air, no attack. Simply put, the combo left me flat and unengaged.

I spoke to Dale some more, and his philosophy is that the preamp is the heart, soul, and personality of your system. That got me thinking....The Belles besides being an excellent integrated also has Preamp out and Amp in jacks. It can be used as a pre alone, a power amp alone, or an integrated together.

I took the preamp out from the Belles and connected it to the unbalanced inputs of the A21+. BAM!!! There was the magic!!! More attack, more air, more bass, way better soundstage. I was completely engaged.

So, my opinion is the Parasound A21+ is a good bit of kit. But the P6 may not be up to the task in some systems, certainly not mine. Perhaps it’s a case of a piece of gear that tries to do too much? In addition to being a pre-amp it also has tone controls, bass management, home theatre features, a headphone amp, a phono pre, and a DAC.

I will eventually get the preamp that Dale recommends, a Conrad Johnson PV11 or 12. In the meantime I will continue to use the Belles as a pre.

Side note: I’m not even missing tone controls, the sound is that good!

Thank you everyone for you valuable input and suggestions on this topic. I certainly learned a lot.

Cheers,
Joe

For those that are interested, I have uploaded a picture of my listening room with the new speakers but without the new amp, to my profile.