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Best Pre/Amp or Integrated for Zu Essence

I am in the midst of upgrading my system. Current gear features Rega Saturn cd, Regar Elicit integrated with mc phono stage, and Pro-Ject Debut III turntable with Ortofon Salsa mc cartridge (just getting started in vinyl), Zu Libtec speaker cables, Zu Gede interconnects, and Zu Mother and Zu Bok power cords.

I just traded my WLM La Scala monitors for the Zu Essence floorstanders. Love the added dynamics and bass extension from the Zu's. I'm happy with them. I also like the La Scala's but appreciate the extra dose of vividness from the Zu's.

I am now looking to optimize my amplification. The Rega gear sounds pretty great with the Zu's, but I have been informed that tubes may have more synergy with the Essence's.

I am considering the following:
ARC VSI 60,
Audio Electronics AE3-DJH paired with Six-Pacs monoblocks,
Quad QC-24 paired with Quad II-Forty's monoblocks,
Cary 300SEI,
Primaluna Prologue 2,
Primaluna Prologue 3 paired with Prologue 7's

Any other thoughts? Budget is $4500. Since this is my first venture into tubes, I would like to stick with something that I can get on dealer demo or new.

I listen to a variety of music from small-scale classical to jazz to indie to electronica.

I am not as concerned with accuracy as much as I am with the "in-the-room" experience.

Thanks

PMB
pmburnett
mstark
13 posts
 
Preamps from Supratek, Modwright, Dodd Audio and few others work wonders, however. Integrated amp might be the answer.
If you end up with extra funds, try external DAC with your source (not that there is anything wrong with it). That might also help out with overall sound characteristics/presentation. NOS DACs are usually thought as "musical" as opposed to sterile, hifi-ish sounding. Presentation of these DACs is usually warmer, a bit recessed, more analogue sounding but often compromised by lock of resolution and detail retrieval. Ofcause this is broad generalization and there are exceptions to this description.
If you can find manufacturer or dealer to provide a demo unit or offer in home trial, I'll say go for it and educate yourself with what's out there as far as digital reproduction is concern. Few ideas - RWA, Wyred, Lampizator DAC, Tranquility DAC (if you want to try USB audio done right) and few other that escape me at the moment. I believe all these brands offer in home trial.

And finally........
Good luck and have fun
naggots
115 posts
 
I tried an ARC VT50 with my Druids and found it a cold mixture, thin and bright but extended in the bass regions. I now have Manley and it sounds great everything ARC had but warmer Mids and smoother treble...... Voices and guitar really bounce out in front of the speakers. I have the Mahis but you could try the Snappers with your budget.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,249 posts
 
PMB,
Your consideration of the Cary 300b amp is well founded, given the optimal load and sensitivity of the Zu speaker. A 300b tube amp can be slow, very fast or any where along this spectrum. Much depeneds on the power supply/ transformer quaility( which should be good with the Cary). Another important variable is the choice of which 300b and driver tube you choose(they make substantial differences in sonic presentation). 6 moons has done very detailed comparisions and found fundamental character changes based simply on which tube was osed. They also found that the driver tube impacts the sound as much/more than the 300b output choice. I can tell you from personal experience that a properly implemented 300b amp can be quite fast and dynamic, yet still provide uncanny realism and presence. Read the 6 moons review of the TJ Full Music SE 300b/6sn7 driver for an example.
pmburnett OP
58 posts
 
Thanks for the reponses so far. I have found them very helpful.

A couple of clarifications. No used equipment unless it is a dealer overstock or demo. I don't want to invest in something that will require retubing or repairs down the road.

Leaning toward:

Quad II with QC-24 pre or

Cary 300SEI or

(darkhorse) Pathos Classic Mkii

Further thoughts appreciated.

PMB
pmburnett OP
58 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback. Just took the plunge and ordered the Quad setup. I am hopeful that this will lead to many happy moments.

PMB
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