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Low noise Preamp for High Eff Speakers

Recently I picked up a Threshold T3 preamp and amazed how much lower the noise floor was than my Audio Research LS3B. Dead quite even with your ears to the tweeters. Yet it lacked the dynamics of the Audio Research, more laid back. I still like both of them but interested in getting others opinions on low noise preamps (tube or solid state) that are very musical in all practical dimensions (sound stage, inner detail, bass and treble extension, low or no electronic haze/glare, etc). I am looking at auditioning some ultra-efficient speakers (greater than 91 db) and would like to get a feel for best matching to the speakers. I have been happy with my B&W 801 series 3 speakers now for about 5 years but looking at being more Energy Friendly and at the same time getting more immediate sound that many high efficiency speakers are reported to give. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
nanderson
plato
1,543 posts
 
Most high-quality tube preamps exhibit more noise than their SS counterparts and passive units. Most passives, no matter how pure and extended, lack the ultimate dynamics and rhythmic drive of high end active units.
I have 2 recommendations that may work for you. The first is the highly rated Adcom GFP-750 which is great for the money. The second is the InnerSound SS preamp, which is transparent, musical, detailed and extremely low in noise, and costs a bit more ($2995). To my ears, the InnerSound is more relaxed and involving than the Adcom, and equally if not more competent in all other parameters. It blows away many other preamps that I've tried.
mgottlieb
334 posts
 
You might try the Pass X-1 (and the matching phono amp, the X-ONO). Thewe are really quiet, and very fine. See Cordesman's reviews in (I think) the January and February Absolute Sound.
tjoeb99
3 posts
 
Check on Ron Welborne's Reveille Linestage (Welbornelabs.com).
ampzilla747
28 posts
 
YOUR BEST CHOICE would be an old original Thaedra,by GAS!!!the quietest pre i ever heard,actually all the gas preamps were quiet,i meen dead silent!this will hold it's own against any modern preamp!
aaronm's avatar
aaronm
99 posts
 
I would like to second the X1 as a very quiet preamp. The X1 is as quiet as quiet gets, especially using balanced interconnects to a Pass X series amp(s). I think Pass Labs calls it Super Symmetry. I can tell you with my overly efficient horns(104db/1w), they are very quiet. Much quieter than my ARC or Krell equipment ever was. I went to the Pass to get the low noise that I was accustomed to prior to the horns going into the system.
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