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.
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.
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As @ghdprentice mentioned your choices vary significantly from more neutral to warmer, so it’s really impossible to know what you’re looking for. You should share what specific improvements and/or sound characteristics you’re looking for so you get more effective and useful recommendations here. |
@soix - yes thank you, I should have mentioned that my room is acoustically treated and I favor a lively, detailed, holographic sound. I’ve noticed since upgrading to the Contours my system sounds dry and lifeless. This could be that I haven’t allowed enough time to let the speakers burn-in, or the Vincent preamp is degrading worse than realized with the new speakers. Either way I enjoy a lively, detailed, holographic sound. |
