Buy the H390 and be done, would not look at any Onkyo crap...
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.
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- 71 posts total
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. |
@vette5451 don't get tube for the 20I.
This review touches on it - https://youtu.be/HcAwjBpzNbE?si=MWS_PoMHF6mdbxtH |
- 71 posts total