Have you upgraded from a Freya?

I got the Big version with four inputs and three outputs. The resistors are AMRT from AMTrans. Similar to AMRG, but Arek says they are even better.

@zlone Glad you liked the LA4. The Serene is a touch warmer and maybe preferred by some, such as this guy who compares the Serene to the HPA4 (same as LA4).

Review Holo Audio Serene Level 1 preamplifier - Tastefully Serene - Alpha Audio (alpha-audio.net)

I agree with this review but I like the LA4 the most still, but it really depends on the chain of gear it is hooked up to.

I like the LA4 and Serene so much that I tossed the shipping boxes. My preamp shopping days are done. I would not change these 2 for anything. I do not want sound added from my preamps, other gear in the chain already does enough of that.

I also have a Schitt Mjolnir (sp?) preamp. I got this because my Magtech amp does not have a Standby switch (long story). I think this preamp is the best one in Schitt’s lineup. It is sold as a headphone amp/preamp. The headphone amp is not powerful enough for my RAAL phones. I use the preamp with a Schitt Aegir amp and it is almost the best I have heard the phones.

I tried the Mjolnir in place of the Holo Serene in my office with the Magnepan LRS+ and Magtech amp. It was a real fun listen. Much warmer (but not too much). I was really impressed and it was definitory a better preamp for me than the Schitt Freya+ that I sold.

BTW - I had the LS50 with the CODA #8 and it was very good in my small office. However, the LS50 Meta is much better to my ears. Most people are saying it was only a minor improvement. In my system I thought it was a big improvement. I did not want to get rid of the LS50 Meta but I gave it to my nephew to take to university.

I now use the Magnepan LRS+ ($999) in the office and it is much better than the LS50 Meta in most aspects. I think the LS50 Meta was a bit sharper focused on the images but I only did a few hours of A+B tests and I was trying to find something.

The CODA #8 should be very good on the LRS+. The CODA #16 is incredible on the LRS+.

Thanks for the feedback folks.

@ozzy62 Beautiful piece of gear that Hattor, and very attractive pricing. I could not find any specs, specifically output impedance, on the site. Given it is passive, that would figure heavily into any decision. I tried the passive on the Freya+ for a while, but it seemed a bit dull compared to the buffered and tube stages. That is my only experience with passive, but I am not against the idea.

@yyzsantabarbara I do plan to upgrade from LS50's someday soon and will likely give the LRS+'s a listen. I plan to move to a slightly larger room this winter and that will open up some possibilities in that area. Interesting thoughts on the Mjolnir, I looked at it, seems like a pretty amazing piece of gear.

A fresh update on my preamplifier search. About a month ago I bought a Pass XP-12 to replace the Benchmark LA4 in my system. While I liked the Benchmark very much, I still felt that . I believe that I have found that in the XP-12 as it offers a fuller and slightly warmer sound. I would say it does not as good as the Benchmark for low volume listening, but it is good enough. For now, I am quite happy with the Pass and will camp here for a while.

As commented back in November, I planned to upgrade my speakers and move to a larger room. I have done both, got a good deal on some KEF Reference One's that have been an excellent upgrade from the LS50's, and I am putting the finishing touches on the new room at which point I will finally post my system on the site.