Conrad Johnson vs Audio Research vs BAT vs Cary

Imagine me finding Keith in here! :)

I've owned an ARC LS26 (the 17s big brother) as well as the 98 (which was recommended to me by Keith) and enjoyed both.

The ARC and Cary are at polar opposite ends of the tubed preamp spectrum. The ARC leans dry and the Cary way, way warm but in a good way IMO.

Which will you like more? Only you can determine that. I used both with NuForce amps.

Add an Aesthetix Calypso to your ones under consideration. I used to have a CJ Premier 17LS2 and don't miss it, though it was a fine-sounding linestage.

First off, congrats on the Threshold T400, I've owned that, and it is one of the best SS amps I've heard.

Now I've owned many preamps, including the BAT VK-31SE, VK-50SE, VK-51SE, and had extended in home auditions of two others, the VK-32SE and VK-3iXSE. I've also owned the CJ Premier16LS mk II, VAC Renaissance MK II, and ARC Ref 3. Of all these preamps, the ARC Ref 3 was my favorite, followed by the BAT VK-51SE and the VAC. The CJ was too warm for my tastes. I've heard the Cary SLP98 several times, but it was also too warm for me.

All that said, my reco would depend on what you seek. If you're seeking more musical weight and authority, I'd go for one of the BAT preamps. If you're looking for more refined musical detail, I'd steer towards the ARC LS17 or VAC Standard LE preamps. If you're looking for old school tube warmth, CJ or Cary would be the way to go.

Just like ice cream, no one can tell you which flavor you will prefer.

Cheers,
John

If your T400 is DC coupled, you might want to consider how likely the tube pre is going to pass on DC.

Thanks so far for some very interesting answers. Another Agoner emailed me to say he had tried the BAT VK-5i with the Threshold and they were a poor match (probably impedance mismatch). Elsewhere on forums, I think it has been suggested that there is an impedance mismatch. Is anybody aware if the newer iterations of BAT preamps (e.g 31SE, 32SE, 3iX) might circumvent this problem?