Did you find the root of the ground loop hum? I had hum in my system and picked up a Rolls HE 18 and it removed hum. The less favorable review on Amazon was not my expereince. Also picked up a McIntosh C47 four months ago, May 2017, a wonderful piece. Have not used phono stage as Turntable is connected to a Project DS Tube Preamp and is the connected to one of the C47 line inputs, fabulous. Also have a Tube buffer in the chain so I can go with SS or Tube which is running a pair of Rogers Old new stock 6SN7GTA’s.
Thinking of a new preamp and looking for advice...
So, I am currently running a BAT VK30 into a Parasound A21 to Golden Ear Triton 2 speakers. Sources are a Sony Z1ES and a Linn LP12 to a Parasound JC3+ phono stage. Green Audioquest cables all around. Most of my listening is vinyl--lots of jazz and 70's-80's rock and female vocals. I love the sound of my system, but the BAT is very finicky about power, and I have a ground loop that I cannot find...It works fine at other locations, but has a hum in only the right channel in my listening room...It's driving me bananas!
I demoed a Sonic Frontiers LS1 and the ground loop was gone, but it didn't have the open airy sound that my BAT does. I am looking into an Audio Research LS-27, and also a McIntosh C47. My must haves for a new preamp are at least 2 balanced inputs and balanced outs, and a remote control. I may like to stay with tubes, but I'm not opposed to SS either. Price-wise my ceiling is around $4000. I would love to here from anyone who has either of these preamps as to what they like or don't like about them. I am also open to suggestions.
Thanks for your input.