2. amps-preamps
  3. 982036298

Best Balanced and singal ended pre-amp?

Looking for suggestios on my next pre-amp. Needs to be balanced and unbalanced as well as tubed? BAT VK50se would be a consideration if it had rca outputs..as well as the Hovland looks promising but it's only single-ended. I guess that probably leaves an AR unit to check out, although I'm not too fond of AR's styling. The pre-amp must be easily compatible with a variety of amps, both ss and tubed.
Thanks in advance for your opinions. Phono isn't a must but would be a plus. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
jman
metaphysics
192 posts
 
I have a BAT VK-50SE and BAT sells output high-quality XLR-RCA and RCA-XLR adapters. The adapters don't result in any sonic losses other than not getting the benefits of BATs fine blaanced circuitry. I don't consider this to be klugey. The 50SE is a fine preamp and you can't go wrong. Also, I may be selling my BAT VKP5 phono pre soon. This may be a good option.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Don't overlook the BAT. I own it.. and have both single ended and balanced source components going into it. The VK30SE has both XLR and RCA, but the 50se with the connectors is just fine...much better preamp too...
bryceeboy
115 posts
 
How bout the Atma-Spheres? I tried the MA-3 and it literally killed a Joule Electra 100 at the time, currenly own the MP-1 and it has to be up there with the very best. Have not had the opportunity to do a side by side with the ARC, but frankly don't have the desire. I am fairly familiar with thier line and the Atma-Sphere is in another world. just my opinion.
jman OP
99 posts
 
Thank you all for your replies..The Callisto sounds very promising, but I can't find a web-site for Aesthetics, is there one? Could you let me know what the price is? An audition is unlikely, I will just take suggestions and roll the dice.
sedond
1,387 posts
 
melos ma-333/music director had units w/both balanced & single-ended - at least mine does. remote control for wolume-n-balance, too... excellent sound, awailable used (w/o fono) for $2k or less... fono was awailable in a 3rd chassis...

btw, i'd suggest czeching out a pro-audio store for xlr-rca converter plugs - at <$10, a much better deal than the bat adaptors...

More to discover