2. amps-preamps
  3. 147201-4976

need good minimalist preamp or headphone amp to actively drive woofers in a biamp setup

I'm biamping a pair of custom speakers, kinda like a Legacy Focus clone using mostly Eton drivers.  I'm going directly from the source, either a Consonance Droplet 5.0 or a Raysonic 228, into a four channel Jaton amplifier.  The woofers are a little less efficient that the other drivers so the bass, from a quad of Peerless 1259 woofers, is not what one would expect or desire.  In the past, I've used either big integrated amps to drive the woofers or pro amps to good effect but I really like the bass from the Jaton amps.   So, I would like to add a minimalist preamp between the cdp and the amp driving the woofers.  I tried a Parasound ZPre II and it did the job but obliterated  fine details so I need something more revealing.  I'm considering the Morrison Elad but would like to hear other options.  I'd even consider a good headphone amp though I have absolutely no experience with them and I don't want to run the bass through another DAC as I really like the sound from either of my current cd players.  I'd like to spend around $500 or so for this project, no more than $1000 please on the used market.  Many thanks for helpful recommendations!
lcherepkai

Showing 3 responses by lcherepkai

lcherepkai OP
277 posts
 
UPDATE----I've been using a very simple Kingrex preamp for about a yr now.  I run the upper bass, mids, and tweeters directly from the source into the amp and send the bass through the Kingrex preamp then to the amp.  This allows me to tailor the bass output with minimal editorialization.  The Kingrex is quite transparent and doesn't lessen dynamics.  And it was cheap!   For $200 shipped, I found a very good fix for my situation.
lcherepkai OP
277 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.  cleeds2:   why would an active crossover be the right choice in my situation?  The speakers have built in crossovers and I paid a member here, years ago, to improve them with better parts.  I couldn't comment on what was done as my DIY skills in this area are non-existent but the sound noticeably improved.  Clarity was increased as was the definition of images.  Things were more focuses---you know, a veil was removed.

Elizabeth:  I'm a transparency and resolution freak.  I'm running source directly into the cleanest/most transparent amp(s) I can find at a price point so I can't follow your recommendation.  I typically use an 805 based SET for the upper bass, mids, and tweeters but am using a bridged gainclone presently.  I won't give up any transparency or detail in these areas.  Thanks though for the input.  Any ideas on minimalist active preamps to run the bass section anyone?  Thanks!
lcherepkai OP
277 posts
 
cleeds--would adding an active crossover, say an NHT X1 or X2, negate the need for an active preamp to increase the gain?  
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