Neutral preamplifier recommendation $1K new

Must have: Active, remote, two XLR inputs and XLR output.

Units I’m considering.

Denafrips Hestia

Ladder Bach

Schiit Kara

Topping Pre90

Vincent Audio SA32

Looking for a unit that measures well & has no/little sound of its own. Right now I’m leaning towards the Kara.

mybuddy12-27-2024 2:13am

carlsbad2 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,626 posts 12-27-2024 at 02:18pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete No such thing. consider a passive preamp, transformer based is best.
mybuddy OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 18 posts 12-27-2024 at 03:34pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @yyzsantabarbara If $$$ was not an issue … I agree the LA4 is ideal. Used LA4 is almost 3x the price of a new Kara. @carlsbad2 You have a recommendation?
soix Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 9,597 posts 12-27-2024 at 03:37pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Not all amps pair well with passive preamps, so if you’re considering that make sure your amp is compatible first.
jayctoy Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,155 posts 12-27-2024 at 03:52pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Why not freya + ?
yyzsantabarbara Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,895 posts 12-27-2024 at 04:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Freya+ is not a neutral preamp. It is even warmer than the Class A Schitt Mjolnir v3 that I have now. I owned the Freya+ at one time.