2. amps-preamps
  3. 1252450407

Need preamp recommendation

Well, the quest for the tube rolling didn't go anywhere after a quick phone call to a tube vendor who advised me that low noise tubes won't lower the background noise of the preamp. Unfortunately I need to replace my VTL TL-5.5 to something else with lower noise floor.

The new preamp must have very low noise. My amps have about 25dB of gain, and my speakers are 93dB sensitive. It can reveal small amount of idle noise too well, which was undetectable with the same speakers but with power amp of 15dB of gain. Also the new preamp must have low / no gain, or adjustable gain. My VTL has additional 20dB of gain, and it's just too loud.

Some of the preamps that piqued my interests are Aesthetix Calypso, Placette, and Sonic Euphoria. I've read some earlier models of Calypso suffered from noise issue. I'd like to hear from the owners with sensitive speakers and high gain amps if there is any noise issue.

I'd love to try the new TL-5.5 which was long announced, but I don't think it's shipping yet. Anyone from VTL reading this board?

Any other low noise preamp that I should consider? I'd like the tubes, but as tube gears have inherently higher noise floor I'll also consider solid states and passive designs. The budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it under $3k. The new preamp will be driving Pass XA-30.5.
jylee

Showing 1 response by guidocorona

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
As you are using a balanced Pass amp, you may want to try a balanced Pre to lower the noce floor by taking advantage of common mode rejection. If you were open to solid state devices, I am extremely fond of the Rowland Capri: $2700 new, and approx $2K used. Yes, the noise floor is incredibly low, and volume increase is in 0.5dB increments. Device has a unity gain input if you want to bypass its volume control all together. See specs at:
http://jeffrowland.com/CapriPreamp.htm
I prefer it over my own ARC ref 3. Guido
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