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Looking for Tube Pre Amp Advice

Without getting too deep into every bit of my equipment I’ll ask for thoughts and advice regarding tube pre-amps

I currently have Parasound Halo A51 Amp. I’m using 4 channels(bi-wired) to power my PBN M1!5 speakers. I currently have a Parasound JC2 BP pre amp. 
Denafrips Terminator DAC>Sonore Signature Rendue-SE>Morrow Series 6 cables (XLRs and speakers)

Id like to try a tube preamp and keep my current amp. I’m looking for a little more holographic sound stage. Everything currently sounds great just would like alittle more depth. 
was looking at a PrimaLuna EVO 400 (dedicated pre version). It has a theater bi-pass

Im aware this is a tough question and matching solid state to tubes makes it even more complex… I did see great reviews on the Prima Luna and that’s about my price point for this 

bobbyloans
yyzsantabarbara
5,583 posts
 

@bobbyloans Does your Parasound amp have a toggle switch for selecting RCA/XLR input? If so, and you like both a super detailed AND holographic sound, I will suggest what I am using. The $500 Schiit Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL preamp. It has no remote, but I use the remote volume on my DAC or the Valhalla 3 volume.

The best preamp I ever heard is the Allnic OTL/OCL preamp at $33k. I figured out what makes this tube preamp different from other tubes preamps, the uber detail, is because of the OTL/OCL design.

I came across the $500 Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL and it is also very detailed and holographic. Not the syrupy and/or rolled off sound of most tube gear. It is not as good as the Allnic but I like it over ALL other tube preamps I have heard (not many).

I use the Valhalla 3 with my CODA #16 amp via RCA. I use another DAC/preamp (imersiv D-1) via XLR into the CODA’s XLR. This is what I am suggesting to you for the $500 Valhalla 3. There is also 15-day home trial period, and the unit does not need burn-in unlike almost all other gear I owned.

You may like it as much as I do and save a ton of cash.

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bobbyloans OP
101 posts
 

My best friend has an Allnic and it’s the best sounding preamp I’ve ever experienced by a LONG shot …. 
My amp does have a toggle switch for balanced and unbalanced 

yyzsantabarbara
5,583 posts
 

@bobbyloans Today I have the Allnic HPA 15000 OTL/OCL headphone amp in the house and compared it to my Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL. It killed the Valhalla 3. The Valhalla 3 is really good and cheap but that $15k buys you some incredible sound.

imersiv D-1 DAC (HDR-A) | Page 4 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

 

laaudionut
321 posts
 

Another jubilant nod for Aric Audio, and the Motherlode in particular! Great tube gear and customer service matched by no one else in the business. At the very least, you should give him a call.

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