Believe it or not, one of the very best sounding solid state preamps is the preamp section of Yamaha’s top tier integrated amps. For that reason I would heavily consider the Yamaha C-5000 preamp if budget allows.
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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@audphile1
I wouldn't say the difference came back to neutrality in a tonal sense. They were both neutral. But, as was described earlier in this thread, there were differences in instrument presence, realism (if you will), soundstage width and depth, and dynamics. @bgross Thanks for the tweak to the description of bass and mids and for the comment about volume control accuracy as an important factor. @helomech -- Yamaha! Who woulda guessed! |
This back panel shows the versatility that Hafler Iris had, wish I knew about it way back when (1989).
Stereophile Review 1989, updated 2008. Hafler Iris, SS, all printed circuit board, is only 35 years old, my McIntosh mx110z, hand soldered Tubes, is only 58 years old. Refurbished, these things are hard to beat.
I keep yapping about the Chase RLC-1, this Hafler certainly adds remote control and more. |
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