Help recommend a good tube preamp


I am looking for recommendations for a good, fully balanced tube preamp (< $4k - $12k) for my system:

DAC: Holo May

Power amp: Hegel H30 (input impedance (balanced / XLR) = 25k ohms)

Speakers: Focal Maestro Utopia III

Room: 20ft X 21ft

Music: mostly jazz / classical. Some classic rock.

Preamps tried before: McIntosh C2600, Hegel P30, Holo Serene, Rogue RP5

Constraints: output impedance should not be high (as my amplifier’s input impedance is quite low)

I tried C2600 (but with different amp / speakers).

Recently, I tried Rogue RP5 - sounded great but it does not have XLR out (H30’s unbalanced input impedance is a measly 9.6 kilo ohms). So, a natural recommendation would be the Rogue Audio RP7 - except that in the Stereophile review’s measurements section, John Atkinson recommends not using the pre with amps with less than 30k input impedance (affects low frequency response).

 

Thanks.

Ag insider logo xs@2xreg19

I would recommend reaching out to Aric Audio. He now offers his Motherlode II in a fully balanced model. The balanced model is the Motherlode XL.  http://www.aricaudio.com/products.php?product=MLXL#desc No affiliation, just a very happy customer. I own the non balanced version,the Motherlode II.
Aric is very easy to get in touch with, and is very knowledgeable.

Thanks for the recommendation, rocray. I understand that in this industry, there are a lot of great designers producing great products on a bespoke / small-scale.

I’d prefer to stick to the more established lines if possible.

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