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Best preamp for my system.

I am looking to upgrade my preamp, and am looking for advice from experienced audio people. I am currently running an Emm Labs CD player into a Levinson 380S and then the Levinson 33H's and on to the Genesis 4 tower speakers. All signals running through Gabriel Gold Rapture IC's. What I like is a real lush sound, vocals being most important with respect to accuracy. Some preamps that I am considering are the ARC reference and Lamm Reference.......but am open to suggestions if a serious upgrade from my 380S can be had for less than those two expensive units.
bullot
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zephyr24069
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I'm about 460 hours into break-in on an Esoteric C-03 preamp. This unit is truly something special. I now know first hand why it won 2 Blue Moon awards from 2 different reviewers on 6moons!
bullot OP
130 posts
 
I've heard a little about the Esoteric preamp Mark, but will have to check out those reviews!

I have moved on from the Joule and bought both an Atmasphere MP1 and MBL6010D to compare, thinking I would keep the one which worked best in my system, which I did. The Atma has moved on and I am using the MBL now!
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zephyr24069
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Let us know how it turns out...it's always great to hear about your latest audio adventures!
bullot OP
130 posts
 
Something I bought since last talking with you Mark are the Bybee speaker bullets! Love them.....if you can get them on a deal.

The MBL works perfectly in my system. It has tons of detail and yet is somehow on the warm side, it's like a velvet hammer. I can't see getting back on the preamp merrygoround again, for a while anyways.
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zephyr24069
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Would love to hear it some day soon if I can make it north of the border! I'll take a look at the Bybee speaker bullets as well. BTW...Esoteric C-03 pre-amp is a beautiful unit! If you get a chance to hear one, you should do so!
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