Simaudio I7 vs P5.3/W5.3

Also if you know of any other brands in that price range and how it would compare to say the Sim W5 or W5.3

Thanks and much appreciated

I used to have a P-5 pre and switched to the 5.3 pre which was sonically better than the P-5. I used both pre's with a W-5 amp, which I still have but now mated with a Evolution P-7 pre.

I had read somewhere, I beleive www.uhfmag.com where Simaudio said the sound of the new W5.3 is better than the W-5 amp it replaced.Given my experience between both the P-5 pre and the P-5.3, I would beleive the same holds true for the new W5.3 amp. The W-5 is still an excellent amp and sounds excellent. Class A stereophile every year while in production with $$ signs beside it meaning it provided performance way beyond it's price point.
Cheers

Thanks - I have a Simaudio I3RS Integrated that is 100W into 8/170W into 4ohms. My speakers are PSB Synchrony Twos (maybe moving up to Ones) that dip below 3 ohms in the bass. My I3RS handles the bass exceptionally well considering this.

So I am thinking using the I3RS as the pre-amp, buy the W5 (depends on an ex-demo discount I get), then eventually buy a P5.3 maybe.

I think that is a great idea of getting the W-5 and the 5.3 pre. They do sound great together.Make sure you get the 190 watt W-5 with the square emblem on the front with the word moon.

The older W-5 has an oval emblem which says celeste on it and is 175 watts. There were many other improvements other than wattage on the newer 190 watt model.

I've got the i7 and first auditioned the P5.3 pre/power whilst waiting for the i7 to arrive at the dealers. Not much in it, but the P5.3 definitely had more control with greater dynamic headroom. Very similar overall sound though and if you are working to a budget or like the simplicity of an integrated the i7 does most of what the pre/power 5.3 does.