2. amps-preamps
  3. 190562-2906

Preamp suggestions for Atma-Sphere Class D Monoblocks

As I impatiently await the arrival of my Atma-Sphere class-d monos, I am writing to solicit opinions from experienced members on this site. Balanced inputs and outputs as well as the ability to connect a subwoofer are important. Headphone amp would be nice but not critical. Ditto for built-in phono. These are some of the tube and solid state units I am considering (not necessarily exhaustive):

  1. Atma-Sphere MP-3 mk3.3
  2. Cary SLP-05 (ultimate edition, if I can find a pristine used pair at a good price)
  3. Modwright LS-100
  4. PrimaLuna EVO 400
  5. Supratek - Champagne or 6SN7 Cabernet - I have no idea what the difference between these two are and the website is not helpful at all
  6. Anthem STR
  7. Benchmark LA-4/HPA-4
  8. Bryston BR-20 (or one of their purely analog variants - BP-19?) - I am hesitant to bundle streaming and dac into a preamp
  9. NAD M66
  10. ?

I will initially use the Bel Canto DAC2.8 as a dac and preamp with an Auralic Aries G1.1 as the streamer. My speakers are Totem Acoustic Forest Signatures, sub is a REL s/510 that I seldom use. I am unsure whether I can use the speaker level connections with the A-S monos (my current Bel Canto Ref510S class d amp has a chassis grounding screw to which I connect the REL’s ground wire).

Philosophically speaking, I have owned a wide range of equipment over the years - everything from "measurements above all" type gear (a full Benchmark stack), a few tube pieces (PrimaLuna, Tavish Design, Rogue), Class A amplification (Pass Labs XA-30.8) and a completely active Genelec 8351b based system. I seem to be slowly but surely gravitating towards subjectively great sounding gear, regardless of how they measure - the Totems are a case in point. However, I don’t want to find that I have moved too far in any one direction. At the end of the day, I value realism and emotional connection more than the ability to deconstruct the music but I don’t want to listen to a sloppy system that homogenizes everything. I’m sure this is all clear as mud! It is however, a reflection of where I am at the end of 28 years of being on this hamster wheel. All thoughts and suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

Ag insider logo xs@2xsrama
Ag insider logo xs@2x
srama OP
65 posts
 

@bcsy

Thanks for your offer to chat! I have already ordered the Atma-Sphere MP-3.

After having experienced just how good Ralph’s class d Mono Blocks are, it was a no-brainer to pair them with a preamplifier of his design .

 

seanheis1
626 posts
 
  1. First, you must hear Ralph's amp with no active preamp to see if you like the sound or if color is needed. 
  2. You can do this with the passive Schiit Sys for $50. 
  3. If you like what you hear, you can buy a proper pre such as the Benchmark HPA & get the features that you need. 
  4. If you are not happy with the sound, then you can start experimenting with active preamps that add second & third harmonic distortion. 
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,011 posts
 

@seanheis1

He already bought Ralph's pre.

seanheis1
626 posts
 

@roxy54 hopefully others get a chance to hear their power amps for what they are...before deciding whether or not to change the sound. 

I love my solid state Van Alstine power amp with a passive pre. The distortion profile of the power amp is just right for me.   

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,011 posts
 

Seanheis1

I have used two different passive pres in the past, and always felt that something was missing, usually body and dimension. I understand why you might like them, but like everything else, there are trade-offs.

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