Looking for preamp which is good at BOTH single-ended AND balanced output

even use both together for bi-amp setting.


Are you using an active line level crossover when biamping these two amps. The balanced connections will be louder because there is a 6db increase in gain.

I’ve got a BAT VK-3i and a VK-33, both of which have single and balanced outputs. They are terrific, high quality preamps and sound great. I think you should be fine with the VK-30SE or the VK-31SE. You really can’t go wrong with BAT gear.

The over-looked EAR-Yoshino 868L, designed and built by the recently-departed Tim de Paravicini, occasionally available used for around $3,000. The 868 sports two pair each of single-ended and balanced outputs on it’s rear---all independent of each other, the balanced outputs created via Paravicini’s legendary transformers. Each output is capable of driving a 200 ohm load, a brutal task required in pro recording studios, a field in which TdP did a fair amount of design work. Amplification is provided via a pair of 7DJ8 tubes.

EAR-Yoshino is distributed in the U.S.A. by the firm doing the same for two other superior UK companies: Townshend Audio (the unique Rock turntable---currently unavailable, the line of Seismic isolation products, a passive pre-amp, a super-tweeter, and interconnect and speaker cables), and Helius Designs (tonearms). Paravicini chose the Helius Omega tonearm to mate with his Master Disk Turntable.

ccheung
Looking for preamp which is good at BOTH single-ended AND balanced output

No voodoo here it all comes down to the design.

First one must ask the manufacturer, is their preamp circuit a "single ended design" with single ended rca output, but also with a "pseudo balanced circuit opamp" tacked on the single ended output to give the optional balanced/xlr??
If so in this case, the single ended rca output should sound better, over 1-3mt runs

If it’s a true balanced design all the way then the balanced should be quieter over very long (>5mts) interconnect runs, if 2mt or less the RCA should sound just as good.

Cheers George

RIP Tim P