Anyone using 2 preamps in their rig?

@blackbag20 I did not use any splitter-box because the 2 DACs I used, the Musetec 005 and the Benchmark DAC3B both allowed RCA and XLR output at the same time. So one RCA went to 1 preamp and the XLR output went to the other preamp. I did the same with my Magnum Dynalab 108T tuner. I also had identical streamer paths using 2 sets of FMC and Sonore OpticalRendu,

I am a fan of the low cost Benchmark XLR interconnect between my 2 preamps and the amp at the speaker end. So I used 2 sets of 15-foot XLRs with 1 set connect at the amp end. When I wanted to switch preamps I just changed the amp end interconnect to the other preamp’s.

The CODA 07x preamp I used as 1 of the 2 preamps did not have an ON/OFF button so that was a little bit tricky. You need to be careful when the gear was turned on and off so as not to mess up the speakers. I never did.

I should add that not all gear allow RCA and XLR to be connected at the same time, such as the Audio Mirror Tubadour SE III DAC (now sold).

*********************

I am from Toronto (YYZ, similar to LAX = Los Angeles) . I now live in Santa Barbara. I am huge Rush fan. I actually listen to more Rush these days since I have nice gear and the music is instantly available. The song YYZ is supposed to represent taking a flight out of Toronto’s YYZ airport.

Interesting thought process.  But to me that means each preamp pleases you in different ways.  Time to find on preamp that does it all.

Happy Listening.

@bigkidz If you have heard the CODA 07x preamp and the Benchmark LA4 preamps (the 2 I used) you most likely would think they are on the opposite ends of the sonic spectrum. I loved both preamps with various amps. I doubt there is 1 unit preamp out there that can sound like both. Maybe with a TONE control to sound like the warmer CODA 07x.

@yyzsantabarbara

I can send you one of the ones we make if you are interested google vujadeaudio and contact me that way

OP, “”My quandary is as I look up the performance ladder the prices get scary.”

Yep, I completely get it. The performance gets more and more satisfying. It’s a question of what you value.

Fairly early in life I realized I really gained great satisfaction from music, literature, photography and astronomy. Also, backpacking, bicycling, SCUBA and mountaineering. So I dropped skiing, parachuting, sailing and some other pursuits. You can’t do them all.

So, I have ridden my bicycles well over 100,000 miles, dove all over the Caribbean and the South Pacific, hiked and mountaineered all over the world and have a world class audio system.

By concentrating on a few things, I have got tremendous rewards from pursuing them. Looking back… very rewarding.