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$1k preamp for McCormack DNA-125 recommendations?

I'm looking to get a nicer preamp to pair with my McCormack DNA-125. I'm looking to spend $1k or less for a new or used unit. I have no set preference for tubes or ss, and the pair would be driving my Ohm Walsh Super 2's (awesome speakers!). So far my short list includes:

- Mapletree Audio Line 2A SE or Ultra 4 SE
- Rogue Audio 66 or 99
- Manley Shrimp
- McCormack RLD-1

Are there any others that I should seriously consider? My current plan is to feed a Squeezebox & cd player to a Channel Islands VDA2 w/ VAC PSU - but if there's a better integrated preamp/dac that falls under the $2k mark I'd be interesed in hearing about those as well.

Thanks in advance!
sersalpha
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
I would highly recommend looking for something tubed over SS. Not that you couldn't find a nice SS to mate with it, just that these amps work quite well with tubes.

You could also look into passive pre's, since the McCormack's are designed to work well with them also. But there's tradeoff's there as well, mostly being a certain lack of dynamics that a good active linestage brings to the table. One other drawback to a passive is the absolutely amazing transparency. Once you hear this you will be hard pressed to find an active pre that can match it (that is, if you still want that extra dynamic).

Enjoy,
Bob
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
Are you running analog sources too? If not,the Z-Systems RDP/RDQ units are very good and run between $800-1700.These accept several digital inputs, with volume and parametric EQ in the digital domain.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,887 posts
 
I picked up a used McCormack RLD 1 and like it a lot, it works well with my DNA 125. You should be able to pick one up for less than 1k.
semi
649 posts
 
Audible Illusion 3A and SF SFL-2 should sound good with anything
xrayz
105 posts
 
Shrimp easily.
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