Preamp recommendations for my system please


I think it’s now time in my audio journey to find a quality preamp. A pair of JC1 monoblocks are driving Wilson Yvette. dCS Bartök is ordered and will be my digital side (with a Roon Nucleus). Luxman PD171-A with Jelco 850 tonearm and Hana ML cart, with a Channel D Lino C 2.2 phono stage, on the analog side. 

 

I’d like the preamp to be truly balanced. Needs two pair of balanced/XLR inputs (phono stage and steamer/DAC). Under $10K if at all possible. My short list includes:

 

Audio Research LS28

Audio Research Ref 6SE (used only and still probably a stretch)

Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty

Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3 

Parasound JC2

 

You’re going to ask me what I’m looking for in a preamp. Beyond what I’ve mentioned, I honestly don’t know. I’m open to all suggestions. I appreciate the help of this forum. Thank you. 

kcpellethead

Showing 6 responses by amplifierdude

"Ok New World Man. How do I connect my 2 DACs, tuner, and SACD player to my amp?"

Ditch everything but 1 DAC, signup for Roon and Qobuz. Done. Welcome to 2021. 

 

"Not very enlightened. I already have both ROON and Qobuz. Along with on air FM access to one of the best radio stations in the world on an incredible tuner. This station plays mostly music that I have never heard before (and I know music). My classic SACD player, that was modified 20 years ago, stil sounds like a million bucks on things like my SACD of DSOTM. Not going to get that musical experience with Qobuz or Tidal. Considerd yourself a little enlightened."

 

Your digital setup must be pretty mediocre then if you can’t get Qobuz into it in high quality. They have every SACD ever released in even higher quality than was available on disk. Roon can also access local hard drive storage as well. And there’s probably 100000 internet radio stations. And let’s not mention the degraded quality passing the signal through all the extra circuitry and interconnects. Yuck, disgusting. I haven’t ran a preamp for 20 years now.

I don’t need to listen to FM radio. It’s not 1982. Using Roon radio with Qobuz and my local collection provides me with more than enough variety. 70 million tracks gets me though my week without a repeat. I guess I have less free time on my hands than you do.

Dealers love preamps because it's 1 more box to sell you. Plus interconnects.

@amplifierdude why the f**k are you bothering to post in this thread you arrogant c**t...?"

 

Broke dealer, or just a sucker who bought a preamp from one?