Benchmark LA4 Preamp?

Update:

     My 1st choice remains the ML326S preamp due to the fact that I really enjoy the ML sound characteristics, it has all the functionality I'd like/need and I LOVE the small rather chunky metal remote (the same as the ML585 integrated amp comes with) that fits so perfectly in the palm of my hand.  
     However, I'm a bit concerned that I may not be able to find a pre-owned 326S in very good condition at the $5K price I planned (these new had a msrp of $10K), although I am willing to pay a reasonable premium just for that awesome remote.
     As a result, I've identified the Aesthetix Saturn Calypso preamp as a possible alternative option to the ML 326S.  I'd still likely be purchasing a pre-owned unit in very good condition but it's reassuring to know that the Calypso is still a current Aessthetix product that they continue to manufacture at their facility in California.  
     The Calypso's new msrp price is $4,500 but I've seen pre-owned units offered online for up to $2K less, so either are within my $5K budget.  My only current concern is whether, since the Calypso is a hybrid ss/tube design and uses 2 tubes per channel, it will provide the low noise, low distortion and highly detailed performance I'm desiring in order to create my goal of a soundstage illusion that is wide, deep, dense, solid, stable, 3 dimensional and natural.
      From the numerous reviews I've read on the Calypso, it seems like it's a very high quality performer.  But I was hoping others might chime in with their thoughts on the Calypso as a preamp option, especially if they've had personal experience utilizing a Calypso in their own system.


Thanks,
  Tim

Tim, I have two friends with Calypso's and both (while sounding big and fun) have a pretty high noise floor, a hiss that sounds like white noise when the music is not playing. If you are used to a low noise floor like me, it might be a hard switch for you, I would not be able to get used to it. 

Hello chrissain,

     Yes, I also prefer the detail enhancing qualities of a low noise floor. Thanks for your input since a hiss would drive me crazy, too.
     Fortunately, I found a used Levinson 326S preamp for sale at a local high-end audio shop here in Indy in very good condition and at a reasonable price that’s within my budget.
     I just installed it in my system a few days ago and it’s excellent. Extremely low noise floor, neutral, accurate and very detailed overall without any trace of harshness or brightness. I’m thrilled with it and I’m really digging the sweet remote, too.

Thanks,
Tim

Have to say the ML 326S looks interesting. However, I could never use it, as my DACs all output much higher voltages than the 326S can handle unless I were to use the 0 dB gain setting. To me, at least, that seems a serious design flaw.

Currently waiting for the LA4 ordered from a local dealer, but word is that due to demand, I'll have to wait at least three weeks, maybe up to six as I'm not in the USA.

Whatever preamp one uses, I thought Benchmark's discussion of the benefits of balanced analogue connections was the most comprehensive piece on the subject I've yet seen.

Hello dr_joe,

     I was very close to ordering the Benchmark LA4. I think you’ll probably really enjoy it and I still think it’d work well in my system. About 6 months ago, when I was looking at preamps to replace my Parasound Halo P6, my goal was to try a very neutral and accurate preamp to go with my very neutral and accurate D-Sonic M3-600-M class D mono-block amps.
     But I happened to stop by a local audio/video shop here in Indy one Saturday and listened to the ML5805 integrated amp driving a pair of Magico and then a pair of Sonus Faber speakers on a customer demo. I really enjoyed the sonic qualities and extremely solid and stable imaging I heard that I mainly attributed to the Lumin D2 dac and ML integrated amp, which created the best sound stage illusion I’d ever experienced. The overall sound was very neutral, accurate and detailed but also had just a touch of euphonic sweetness that I really liked.
     This caused me to rethink my preferences and system goals. I thought I wanted absolute neutrality with nothing added or subtracted from the music. I reasoned that any euphonic sweetness should be the result of the music and not imparted by any playback equipment. I still believe in this concept in theory but felt that ML equipment was reproducing music in such a beautiful and natural manner, along with creating such an amazingly realistic 3D sound stage imaging, that I became concerned about whether the LA4, being extremely neutral in character, would be able to match the sound qualities I experienced through the ML gear.
     Long story somewhat short, I decided to buy a used ML 326S preamp for about $5K, knowing the ML 5805 integrated was basically a 326S preamp section combined with a ML class AB amp in a single integrated box, hoping to infuse my system with the same sonic qualities.
     Fortunately, this strategy worked like a charm and I’ve been enjoying music played back on my system more than ever. Just to play it safe, I also bought a new Lumin D2 dac/streamer along with the preowned 326S preamp from this dealer.

Best wishes,
   Tim