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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
ampzilla747
28 posts
 
have you ever EVER experienced noise problems in home audio due to not using balanced interconnect's?i havent!xlr's should only be used in extremely long run's!
nanderson OP
291 posts
 
Thanks for the many that provided comments here. I had a McCormack/Mod Squad Deluxe Line Drive (late model) Preamp. The one with no internal circuit boards only volume/switching controls with Wonder Wire connected to the WBT type connectors on the back. It was a really nice preamp and obviously no noise of its own. But like Plato comments it (passive preamp) lacked drive to create dynamics I am looking for. I have given some passing thoughts to the ultra inexpensive Adcom but wondered about parts quality and build quality. I will be digging into the other recommendations during the next few months. Again thanks for all that commented and if anyone else has any comments please add them.
aaronm's avatar
aaronm
99 posts
 
Ampzilla,
I'm going to assume your post was aimed at me. While I won't agree or disagree with your view of balanced interconnects and long runs, there are few things you may want to consider in the future. When you use exclamation marks after your sentences, it is taken to those reading these sentences that you are yelling.
More importantly to this forum, as you may or may not know, the upper end amps of the Pass Labs, ARC and Krell lines are only available with balanced inputs. Are you saying that it would be better to use non-balanced cables with balanced-ended adapters? This I would have to disagree with.

Best Regards, AaronM
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Many advantages of a passive are combined with selected attributes of an active linestage in Steve McCormack's very affordable TLC-1 "passive buffered" pre. Stereophile ClassA recommended; it has multiple inputs, 2 defeatable loops, and choices of an active buffered (unity gain) output or a passive output, and is absolutely quiet in either output mode. Also it's upgradable in various ways via SMC Audio's hot rod program. Minimalist in many ways, yet very flexible. I have the same ultrasensitive 104dB speakers that Aaronm uses, and have no noise issues with the TLC-1.
morasp10b3
38 posts
 
I am in the same boat and currently have the Placette passive on order for a 30 day home trial. It uses all Vishay S102 resistors for the lowest possible indcuctance) in an L pad configuration which provides constant "resistance not impedance" to the source. It also provides the luxury of a remote. FWIW TAS picked it twice in the recommended system section this month. Dynamics are supposed to great but if they are little lacking I have the SCE Harmonic Recovery System that can be inserted into the loop.
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