Which preamp to pair with Moon W5 amplifier?

Stehno: I have had no problem with low end. In fact I pruchased W5 to replace Bryston 4BST (a bass master)based on reviews in both Sterophile and the absolute sound, both of which raved about it's phenomenal low end. In fact even in passive mode with the Adcom Pre, the low end is tremendous. I would like a little more midrange liquidity. Using Classe CDT-1 and DAC1 front end and B&W CDM7SE speakers. MIT top of the line cables all around except for illuminati balanced digital.

Bbybaudio, I purchased the W-5 when I still owned a BAT vk500 with BATPAK. The BAT had far superior bass control and definition with my Aerial 10T speakers with almost endless supply of power in comparison to the W-5.

But the W-5 was easily superior to the BAT in every other respect except the bass.

Basically what I thought I was hearing was a congested and/or compressed and ill-defined bass that simply got worse as the volume got louder. Low listening levels weren't too bad.

At the time, I was well aware of the write-ups on the W-5's bass from the mags which helped persuade me to make the purchase. But I just assumed the amp simply was not a good match for my speakers since they do demand a bit of power. I sold the W-5 for an amp that had the speed of the W-5 but it's bass was even better than the BAT.

Then a couple of years later I was on Sim Audio's web-site reading a review of the W-5 and the P-5 by Peter Moncrief of International Audio Review and although he too likes the W-5, he described the bass deficiencies that I too had experienced.

I am now on yet another amp with a bass reproduction that is simply out of this world IMO.

Still the W-5 is a wonderful amp in many ways. And I think for some to many listeners the W-5 would be quite an eye opener for the musical nuances that it reveals, speed of transient attack, and for it's overall sweet presentation.

-IMO

Stehno:

Thanks for your input. My local simaudio dealer actually recommended the Audio Research LS25 MK II. In fact, he does not dislike the Adcom as long as it is in passive mode.

As I said earlier, I have the Sim Titan, and never had ANY lack of the QUANTITY of bass, though it was not as tight and punchy as I wanted - UNTIL the VAC pre was added. It actually added even more depth and extension, while also firming up the bass that the Titan provided. I think this is a direct advantage of a tube pre with a transformer-coupled output design - it adds the tube mid-range qualities without sacrificing bass or treble extension, and the input impedance of the amp is far less critical.

That was after trying the Pass X2.5, Placette Active Linestage and a PSE HL-1 tube hybrid. They all seemed really good overall, but also just left the Sim with its standard bass characteristics - deep, sustained and sweet, but a just smidgen loose.

** Here's A Question for you all -

I have been wondering if, for the 2-channel listening and overall impact, would W-6 Monoblocks notably improve on what the Titan offers without changing the overall Sim 'flavor'? .....Or is it just an extra couple of power cords I have to buy.....

Any comments about the W-6's? PLEASE !?!?
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Hello,
If you can get your hands on the P5 they go together like hand in glove! Prior to buying it I used a Proceed Pre, Classe DR6, Plinius CD LAD, and Audio Research LS15. All of them sounded pretty good because the W5 is fairly easy to mate up with. But the P5 sounds like a Krell, Levinson, and Rowland combined in one. It is built like a tank. The only negative thing that I would say is that the imbillical cord from the separate power supply is not long enough!