Traded Off my SLP-05

@decooney 

Ok, so the previous 2 SLP05's where with my old speakers before the Andra II, which were the Nautilus 801. With that said, the 801 was bolder and brighter sounding on the top end, which I "feel" that the SLP05 was a great match. Now, the Andra II is a little warmer and heavier in the mid/mid-bass but softer in the top end. Therefor this is why I'm trying to get a little less warmth in the preamp.  I really like these SA-103's amps and not sure I can let them go right now vs finding a better preamp to match up.

Yes, looking for just a little more open "airy" sound with a little less full mid/band since the speakers are already thick in that area.

okay so we’ve kind of concluded the prior general direction of those components all together is a big warmish and veiled over result so to speak. Let’s assume that for now.Not bad, just not as opened as you’d like it to be with your prior speakers. What you shared makes sense btw. I’ve heard those speakers before, fyi.

So..., you’ll get your BHK preamp and as others suggested and you’ve summarized, maybe a Tele or Tele like tube will add some openness and detail.

Now the cable police will come shoot me but gotta ask. Have you been running interconnect cables at the source and between amp-to-preamp that are possibly masking/holding back the sound a little bit, by chance? i.e. I can swap out my own smoothed over pure copper interconnects for other interconnect pairs I have with tinned or silver-over-coper interconnects to add some air, openness, detail. What ya got going there for all interconnects starting with your source to preamp to amp(s)? How long are those interconnects in feet/meters?

Ha, funny that you ask about the cables. I do feel that is my next step. Been running inexpensive Supra tinned XLR cables for years but used to have Kimber Hero a few years back as well. I’m curious where my next cable should be. I’d like to jump into some Nordost but $$ slows that down unless it’s the entry cables. I’m open to suggestions! Oh and using Kimber 12TC speaker cable and that’s not half bad sounding. Just need 1m & 2m for my setup.

@squitis - okay, imo I think either the Supra or Kimber Hero are just fine, and 1-2m length is good too. Did not mean to go down that rabbit hole, but good to know.

Back to the new preamp, how far out til you receive the BHK preamp?

I too for a time owned the Andra 2. And to me, the Andra 2 with the Esotar tweeters (I thought) that the upper frequencies were subdued.

And I also owned the Cary SLP-05 (with different speakers) and it also had sort of a romantic sound with subdued upper frequencies.

That combo will really lean toward the mid and lower mid sound. So, equipment and their relationship with each really matters.

ozzy