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 second the consideration of PrimaLuna. You can pick up a used EVO400 preamp for $4k, I have one and it’s quite lovely. Build quality is impressive, tube rolling is easy if you like….stunning to look at as well (if that matters). does not have a sub out though, albeit I use the balanced outs to my amp and feed the sub from an unbalanced rca out. |
Yeah that sounds like what a lotta speakers sound like before they break in, and I’d reserve judgement and delay upgrading any equipment until you have at least 200 hours on the speakers to know better what direction you might wanna go from here. That said, given what you’re looking for here are two good tube preamps that’d very likely deliver significant improvements over your Vincent… https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650260457-backert-rhumba-13/ Here are some good integrateds that’d also be very worth exploring… https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650276395-coda-csib-v1/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650261223-unison-research-unico-150-power-amplifier/ https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/hegel-h390-stereo-integrated-amplifier-jbbn/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650216120-hegel-h400-streaming-dac-integrated-amplifier-new/ I’d also strongly second the recommendation that a couple subs would greatly improve/expand your 3D soundstage/imaging if you can manage them at some point. Just some options and thoughts FWIW, and best of luck. |
I would definitely consider the Rogue RP-7 ($5K new) or the RP-9. I have the RP-7 with Odyssey Kismet monobloc solid state amps driving Fyne F-702 speakers and consider them to be exceptionally musical. Great tonal qualities, easy distinction among various instruments, and superb three-dimensional sound stage that extends beyond the speakers in all dimensions with the right recordings. I am contemplating upgrading to the RP-9 but wonder if the improvement will be sufficient to justify the expense. I strongly recommend giving the Rogues a listen if at all possible. |
