@robshaw Thanks for that info! I will read up on the LA-4. I am currently using a Pass X350.5 amp.
What qualities stand out in really good solid state preamps?
Recently I posted on the Herron HL-1, asking people what they thought, how it compared, etc. It's been sold and that's ok. The search continues.
But it raises a question I'd like to ask folks:
What attributes do you look for in a good solid state preamp?
Some qualities — quietness, durability, seem pretty obvious.
But what other criteria do you use to differentiate between solid state preamps?
How can they differ and what matters to you?
Please let me know!
P.S. As I've looked around, I've begun to learn more about some of the legendary preamps — made by companies such as Threshold, Ayre, Bryston, Pass, Apt-Holman, and others. It's good to have these names as references, but it would be even more useful if I knew what these brands conveyed, sonically. I've played with the idea of getting a newer Schiit preamp and then I wonder -- what if there's a "classic" preamp out there, used? What would it deliver that was worth searching for?
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No, not really. Some SS preamps can sound neutral but but sound sterile and not very musical. More refined preamps still sound neutral but are more tonally balanced and sound more natural so nothing jumps out at you and you just feel like you’re listening to music rather than some version of it through a stereo system. I guess that’s the best I can describe it. The Ayre is a good example of the latter, which is why I mentioned it (plus there’s one available used), and my former Bryston BP6 is another although likely a little less warm sounding than the Ayre — but that’s just an educated guess. As far as soundstage/imaging, I think in general you need to pony up more $$$ to get to a higher level there than you do with tubes. @jc4659 is a good example in what he experienced in going from an Ayre 5xe to the considerably more expensive 1xe. One of the things that attracted me to the BP6, and why I alluded to in your prior thread, is that it produced a large, open 3D soundstage and didn’t break the bank. Hope this answers your questions. |
@jc4659 "2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional images" -- well said. @yyzsantabarbara I'm a tube preamp lover, for sure. But as was said above, sometimes it's nice to hear what the rest of the chain is doing, minus the preamp. I like swapping gear in and out and listening for differences. I'm not converging on one preamp, amp but want the chance to keep mixing things up. @robshaw |
@hilde45 your question is
for me it is the following -
I don’t care for studio monitoring matter of fact in your face presentation |
There is a Neurochrome 686 for sale at present in the US. I know this Amp's capabilities very well, through being demo'd it in the UK in various build guises. The 686 I have heard in use on a £200K System compared to the best part of a £50K Soulution Power Amp, with a Solution Pre Amp used for both Amp's demo's. The 686 being approx' 25 x cheaper was a real contender, and I mean real contender. This is what can be had when the design for the Power Amp has a Parts List that is between £2K - £3K. Both these Amp's used in the system and environment that was set up for the system was the best SS Power Amp's I have heard in use to date. |
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