2. amps-preamps
  3. 187954-185397

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
davetheoilguy OP
148 posts
 

@soix 

Hey souix.  No, dual mono and balanced are not the same.

Dual mono is akin to monoblock amps.  You have wholly separate equipment for left and right channels, but often placed in one box.  There are various degrees of dual channel, but the best are separate from power plug forward.

Google Captain Nemo’s own Dan D’Agostino Relentless Preamplifier for an easy-to-see, no compromises, version of this.

davetheoilguy OP
148 posts
 

@fastfreight 

Stern & Heisenberg?  Sounds like a law firm, but I’m uncertain.

I’m not familiar with the Stern preamp, but did a little looking.  audio net makes them.  Facade by the Apple designer, and there is a definite clean Apple Macintosh (the early years) look to the Stern preamp, in particular.  Very crisp

All the specs are there, and I’ll look.  I’ve never even heard of Audionet before but they clearly make cool stuff.

thanks!

renatocomes
14 posts
 

Hi, this is the same dilemma when I decided to improve my Mark Levinson pre. More musical or more precise? Well I prefer the second because I like to "insulate" the single instrument (I listen a lot of jazz music), but in any case you are dealing with high quality products that can play in any situation with the maximum pleasure.

My dilemma was: Robert Koda (more musical) or Soulution (more analytic)? I both the second (725) plus 751 for vinyls. I love Esoteric, it is my CD Player (K01XD).

rayproctor9975
6 posts
 

How about the Aesthetix Calypso Preamplifier heard some good reviews?

vinylshadow
498 posts
 

The Townshend Allegri Reference Passive preamp is better than all those. 

Good luck....

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