2. amps-preamps
  3. 165668-2383

Reccomend a good preamp for me.

I have nixed the preamp for a while now with using only a DCS Rossini DAC going direct.  I have that in the back of my room and a 10M pair of balanced cables that run to my various amps I use.  I have been getting back into vinyl again and even a cassette player so I am in need of a preamp that will have at least one balanced input and 2 more RCA inputs.  I have been trying different amps and speakers lately also and think I will land on some kind of lower powered tubes and higher efficiency speakers.  I used to have a few nice preamps years ago and I always remember thinking the preamp was a big piece of the puzzle the heart maybe of the system.  PS Audio BHK looks good maybe or a Pass Preamp?  I'm out of the loop on preamps. 
ejlif
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,825 posts
 
My Balanced Audio Technology VK-33SE is stunning. Used with a BAT VK-255SE solid state amp, it is everything I need in terms of sound.
timlub
2,042 posts
 
I would personally prefer the PS Over the Pass.  For me the Pass Lacks just a bit of Dynamics... I would also take a look at the SST Ambrosia Preamp.... It will sound very close to the PS, but give you a bit more flexibility and the convenience of SS. I'm sure that there are others that fit the bill, but this will definitely work well.  Good luck 
rlb61
792 posts
 
I just ordered a BAT VK-33 (not the SE) to replace my BAT VK-3i, and am awaiting delivery. I hope it sounds as good as @dweller's.
yyzsantabarbara
5,022 posts
 
I have 2 preamps that are rather opposites. The CODA 07x  ($6K) and the Benchmark HPA4 or LA4. The Benchmark has no sound and it will pass the sound of the source with what seems to be no alteration of the signal.

I would take the 30 day home trial of the $2500 LA4 preamp and hook up your DAC to XLR 1 input (optimized for DACs). You will get an amazing volume control on this preamp. There are a few posters that have $100k systems that have added the LA4 instead of a fancier preamp or DAC direct.

I do not have the 07x delivered yet but I expect it to alter the sound. I had the CODA CSiB integrated for a while so I know the sound I am expecting. I want the sound to be warmed up for a specific use case.

I think the Benchmark preamp is one of the very best at ANY price.
mglik
913 posts
 
The answer for me having Atma-Sphere amps is an Atma MP1 preamp. Think it is one of the best at any cost. Fully equipped, it is close to $30K but it’s built in phono section is superb and eliminates the need for an outboard phono preamp and extra cable.
More to discover