get a preamp with DSP capability. This should do - Onkyo Icon P-80 (Silver) or Onkyo Icon P-80 (Black)
New Preamp or go Integrated
My Vincent SA-32 preamp is starting to hum or make a sizzle sound periodically in the background. The unit is 6 yrs old and the tubes are soldered (factory) and not easily replaced. Since upgrading my speakers to the Dynaudio Countour 20i from Evoke 20, the noise has become more noticeable. I believe it’s due to the revealing nature of the Contours.
My plan is to upgrade with a $5000 budget, to either a new preamp or potentially consider an integrated setup.
Considerations for a preamp would be Mark Levinson No. 26 or PS Audio Stellar Gold for SS. For tube is was considering McIntosh C8, CJ ET7, or Rogue Audio RP-9.
Considerations for integrated would be Hegel H390 or McIntosh MA252.
Current equipment is the Parasound A23+,Lumin D3, Elac PPA phono pre, VPI Prime and the Contour 20i.
If I go the integrated route, I could potentially move up the price point from selling the separate units.
I always appreciate your thoughts based on past experiences, along with other options in the preamplifier/integrated brands.
- ...
- 71 posts total
@ghdprentice +1 I would also add the Atma-Sphere line of preamps to the above list. |
Hi Vette - If I were going tubes, I would most likely stay with the Prima Luna line. https://upscaleaudio.com/products/primaluna-evo-300-tube-integrated-amp I have had the PL Prologue 5 power amp for the last 20 years. Literally, no issues, which is the major consideration for me. Not so strange talk from the son of a stereo/ appliance store owner and repairman. I have had the PL paired to a Musical Fidelity CD 24, preamp CD player - also for the last 20 plus years. I purchased a lot of stuff when I was hospitalized for 6 months back in 2005. 20 years ago, this was a $4K set-up, which would be $6.6K in today's dollars. A Decware phono preamp rounds out the system. Enough memory lane stuff, but suffice it to say, I am very satisfied with the Prima Luna line and sound. If I were going solid state, the TOTL Denon looks very desirable to me. https://www.denon.com/en-us/product/amplifiers/pma-3000ne/300995.html?dwvar_300995_color=Silver I would go integrateds, as opposed to separates, primarily for space and simplicity reasons. Given my age, I would also want something that whoever is still around would have to deal with. Your current speakers look extremely nice. Rich |
I would go with an integrated. Nothing against separates but I went back to an integrated and have been happy. I have never heard anything as musical as the Quad Vena but that may not have enough juice for the hungry Contours. Hegel (pairs well with the Dyna), Musical Fidelity, Parasound, AVA, Qualiton would be on my list.
|
- 71 posts total