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Looking for a new preamp

Good afternoon,

It has been awhile since I've posted anything here, but I do have a preamp question.  I currently have an Aragon 28k mk2 pre along with an Aragon 8008 mk2 amp.  Both my source and amp are balanced but the 28k is not.  I think the Aragon pre is a nice, but I think I can do better.  I tried an ARC LS17SE pre a few years back, and although this is a nice piece, it didn't seem to work well with the 8008. I believe the impedance was a mismatch.  This was confirmed by ARC as well.  I would like to try this again at 2 different price points.  One being the new Schitt Freya S at $599 and the BAT 23SE which is on sale at Music Direct for $3k, originally $5k.  My speakers are Dynaudio Excite 44 for now.  

Thank you.           
adiorio
adiorio OP
33 posts
 
I would think the Adcom GFP 750 would be a step up from the Aragon 28k?  So the Freya S bested that based on what you said. 

In terms of going direct George. I have a Cary CDP 1 CD player that can drive an amp directly. I tried that awhile back and although dynamic, I felt it lost some body. Perhaps it was cables/power cord. 
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,290 posts
 
George, are you still making the Lightspeed Attenuators?  It was the best pre amp I ever had and I’ll want another one someday when I go to separates again
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Still doing them with my little Indonesian helper Taka, over 900 now world wide one going to New Caledonia today, Friday one went to Guam!! of all places.
You'll have to get a discount, being a return customer, make sure you remind me when it's time.

Cheers George 
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,944 posts
 
Your right -no tubes in the VK-23SE. I can’t figure out why the "SE" designation. I think BAT used to make a VK-23 version (now not on their website). In the BAT solid state amps, the "SE" usually means extra capacitors for more grunt.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
adiorio OP
 In terms of going direct George. I have a Cary CDP 1 CD player that can drive an amp directly. I tried that awhile back and although dynamic, I felt it lost some body. Perhaps it was cables/power cord.

Yes, going direct will be the most dynamic you can get with the Cary having 3.0 V RMS (at 220 output impedance) a perfect match.

It’s possible that your source needed the bit of colouration that a active preamp will give, or you could use warmer sounding cables to do the same, then you’ll also get the better dynamics as well that going direct gives.
As no active preamp can increase dynamics (compared to going direct as you have done), unless the active pre has a DBX dynamic range expander inside it, but they sound rubbish.

Cheers George
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