Need a big favor picking a preamp


I recently tried out an Esoteric E-02 phonostage and have decided to buy one.  (It was a big step up from a Parasound JC3+, which surprised me.)  I'm working on my preamp stage now, and tried out a Dan D'Angostino Momentum HD preamp and the Exoteric Grandioso C1X

 

Dan's preamp was fantasic, but I makes me feel like I need to be wearing several gold chains when using it.  Perhaps also a toupee and some gold nugget rings.  "Gaudy" is the word when I look at it. 

 

I also tried out a Esoteric Grandioso C1X, which was fantastic, but a bit cold, and much of my system is already Esoteric Grandioso, and it's getting a bit fanboyish.   Unfortunately I did not have it when I tried out the E-02, but I assume the two would be excellent together.

I would say the D'Angostino preamp is "more musical", while the Esoteric more "more precise".

There's a third contender I have never heard on my system, but loved when I heard elsewhere on a similar system -- Nagra HD preamp -- it had the precision of the Esoteric and had just a tad bit of tube sound.  It's also startlingly expensive.

I tried out several others that just didn't fit my system: Pass Labs being one, which surprised me.

So, please advise:

D'Angostino Momentum?

Esoteric C1X

Nagra HD

 

The downstream are two Classe Delta Monoblocks, Bowers 800s, SVS PB16 ultras.  Upstream Digital: Esoteric K-03XD and Lumin U1  Upstream Analog: Esoteric E-02 and alternating between a VPI Titan and Esoteric Grandioso turntable.

Current preamp is a Prima Luna Evo 400, which I love the looks of, and punches WAY above its weight for the price, but it's time to go.

 

 

davetheoilguy

@audphile1 

Boulder would be a great choice.  The Classe preamplifier to match the monoblocks seems a lateral move for the Primaluna Evo 400.

I also want to have true dual mono -- which eliminates the D'Agostino Momentum.  I'd have to move up to the Relentless -- which, at $150K makes the Nagra look like a bargain.

I've seen the Nagra (used) here for $36K, which is fine and Esoteric C1X for the same new (from Japan, which requires a transformer, which is fine by me) or the new Esoteric C1X Solo (same as C1X, but in one housing) for $22K new from the USA.

 

My suggestion is to find a used Herron VTSP-3a (r03) or a VTSP-360. IMO, they are still the very best available and nothing remotely close for the $$.  The -360 is incredible.  

@maxwave 

 

Wow, that's pretty.  Fully balanced, dual mono input-to-output architecture, too.