2. amps-preamps
  3. 1003437683

Can anyone help me to decide which pre-amp is better ?

I am slowly tried to build my audio with home threater system with the following equipments:

1- Aerial 10T and CC3 for speaker
2- Lexicon N512 and MC-1 for home threater
3- VPI HW19 for tuntable
4- All cardas cable for interconnect.

My next project will be expanded the system to tube pre-amp and possible amp. The first step will try to buy tube pre-amp connect to my LEXICON/BRYSTON NT-512. I am in the process of thinking to buy my next pre-amp as: Cary SLP98/PH301, Audio research LS16/PH3, CAT SL-1 sigature, BAT-5i, Havland, or Audio Illusion M3A? Did anyone have suggestions?

Many tahnks in advanced.

classical_man
pug
34 posts
 
You might also consider the Rogue Audio 99 preamp which has received many favorable reviews and has a built-in phono stage.
jvr
105 posts
 
hovland if it is in your budget.
mahandave
153 posts
 
It really depends on how much of that midrange bloom you are looking for - all the pre's mentioned are great and it is more a decision of taste than quality and accuracy! The AudioNote M2 has more bloom than any of the pre's mentioned but probably lacks in many of the other area's. The Lamm and First Sound are options along with Blue Circle, they have a new ballanced pre that sounds great!
clearsound
31 posts
 
The blue circle 21 and Rogue are about the same price new and used and both supposedly sound great. I have 10t's and unless you are going to get some big power tube amps like VTL 450's, a fast powerful solid state amp is needed for 10t;s. I am using a Spectron and it is 500 watts channel into 4 ohms. It runs the 10t's well. You might want to try mono block bel canto evo's. Have fun, sounds like you are on your way. I use a VTL pre 1 tube preamp /and a passive unit also. Enjoy the music.
audiokinesis
2,749 posts
 
Jeff -

Of the preamps you mention, I would go with the CAT. When I was shopping for the best preamp for my demo system, three brands stood out to me: CAT, Lamm, and Thor. I chose to become a Thor dealer, but think highly of the other two.
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