What amp and speakers are you using ??
Help - which preamp to choose?
- Thread starter greg77543
- Start date
What amp and speakers are you using ??
If your source is only a DAC, why not use a recent single-input preamp like, say, a Topping Pre90? Or, if you must have a tube, a Schiit Freya? These are in a similar price range to many of your listed choices, but have measured performance orders of magnitude better.
I have experience with an Onkyo Integra P3040, a Kenwood Basic C-1, an SAE P102, an Adcom GFP-555, and Adcom GFP-565, and finally a B&K MC-101. The last is the best in terms of features, and the one I’m currently using in my main system. It reportedly has the best sound in this category though my ears probably can’t tell the difference without help from my eyes. It can also bypass the line amp for passive operation at the touch of a switch.
But the main difference between these and something like that Pre90 is phono support and tape machine routing. (The Pre90 does have an extra input extender for more sources, but that makes it more expensive, and doesn’t include a tape loop.) if you only have a DAC as a source, though, the rest of it is just noisy old failure-prone electronics.
Rick “confessing an irrational love for that noisy old failure-prone stuff, however” Denney
I have experience with an Onkyo Integra P3040, a Kenwood Basic C-1, an SAE P102, an Adcom GFP-555, and Adcom GFP-565, and finally a B&K MC-101. The last is the best in terms of features, and the one I’m currently using in my main system. It reportedly has the best sound in this category though my ears probably can’t tell the difference without help from my eyes. It can also bypass the line amp for passive operation at the touch of a switch.
But the main difference between these and something like that Pre90 is phono support and tape machine routing. (The Pre90 does have an extra input extender for more sources, but that makes it more expensive, and doesn’t include a tape loop.) if you only have a DAC as a source, though, the rest of it is just noisy old failure-prone electronics.
Rick “confessing an irrational love for that noisy old failure-prone stuff, however” Denney
Mister Pig
Pigamus Maximus
You could build a nice system around several of those pre-amps.
If I were choosing I would select the Audible Illusions or the Sonic Frontiers if I wanted a tube pre amp. My preference would be for the AI, but both units are excellent.
In terms of the solid state units, I don't think I would pick any. If forced the PS Audio 7.0, but otherwise I would keep looking.
If I were choosing I would select the Audible Illusions or the Sonic Frontiers if I wanted a tube pre amp. My preference would be for the AI, but both units are excellent.
In terms of the solid state units, I don't think I would pick any. If forced the PS Audio 7.0, but otherwise I would keep looking.
I suggest a hard look at the Sonic Frontiers based solely upon my recent experience with Kegger's Anthem Pre 2L here. Anthem was sort of SF entry product. I hooked it up to check it out for a inquiry about it and opted to keep it form myself. It has a wonderful, open detailed sound that really shines through my AR 10Pi speakers. Keg was pretty liberal with his praise for it too, as I found out when I searched through AK for his comments.
No phono stage, but I can use my Kenwood C2s, or any other phono capable amp/receiver, via the Tape Outs.
As others have indicated, test what you can and buy what you like. I tend to keep stuff that gives me pause to listen and the Anthem did that a few weeks back.
Good luck in your quest.
No phono stage, but I can use my Kenwood C2s, or any other phono capable amp/receiver, via the Tape Outs.
As others have indicated, test what you can and buy what you like. I tend to keep stuff that gives me pause to listen and the Anthem did that a few weeks back.
Good luck in your quest.
sqlsavior
Lunatic Member
IME, the last word in preamp clarity is a magnetic passive, with simply source selection and transformer or autoformer-based attenuation, i.e. a transformer with a separate tap for each volume level. If I were to describe it in my wife's colloquial phraseology, it "really tells you where the bear **** in the buckwheat". You might not use a digital volume control, ever again.