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Preamp Upgrade Advice

I'm pretty new to higher end preamps, but looking for one to take over my current system. I had been using the preamp built into my Sonnet Morpheus DAC (which i'll be keeping for now until I upgrade to a Pasithea or something else, the preamp portion on these is functional but very basic). I have a benchmark LA4 right now, which works and is very clean, but its an almost overly dry and neutral sound. I'm looking for something with a warmer and fuller sound. Not sure if I want tubes or not, i've traditionally stuck to solid state but i've only ever tried budget tube amps before which were always too muddy and veiled for me

 

Only real criteria is it needs to have low output impedance to fit with my amps (ideally 50-100 ohms), balanced is a plus but not absolutely necessary. Doesn't need phono or a dac. If anyone has experience comparing the below i'd greatly appreciate it. Budget is $5-10k

 

Pass Labs XP-12 (current top choice, I've heard it before but not at home)

Audio Research LS-3 or LS-2

Conrad Johnson ET6/ET6SE

Rogue Audio RP-7 or RP-9

Bricasti M20 (over budget, but I could stretch for it)

Bryston BR-20 or BP-19

Naim NAC 322

 

baldassinia
yyzsantabarbara
5,565 posts
 

If you want a preamp as detailed as the LA4 (I owned it for a decade) and also a tube design with a holographic presentation, then look at Allnic preamps.

I had the most expensive Allnic preamp side by side with the Benchmark HPA4 preamp (same as the LA4) and both had the same level of detail but the Allnic adding a holographic sound. I have not heard all the Allnic preamps but the top end model I heard was the OTL/OCL variant. 

I have the Allnic HPA 15000 OTL/OCL headphone amp at my home for a 2-week demo, and it is similar to their OTL/OCL preamp.

I dislike gear that is warm with a rolled off top. For me musicality is found in detail. The Allnic gives that detail but with a warm embrace. A very unusual combo.

BTW - I sold my HPA4 last month after owning a LA4 or HPA4 for a decade. The reason being the imersiv D-1 DAC I bought was restricted by the HPA4. The imersiv D-1 needs to be DAC direct. This is the most detailed thing I ever heard, and I think the most musical.

incorrigable
203 posts
 

Yamaha C-5000 gives you a transformer for each channel. No dac. 

yyzsantabarbara
5,565 posts
 

Speaking of transformers. My friend made a passive pre with transformers and it was great. I am hoping to snag one for my DAC in the future. Here is a more production version that is doing the same thing.

ALLEGRI REFERENCE - Townshendaudio

 

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,926 posts
 

c-j -- all day long...  

i have not tried the allnic, it seems to have a strong following as a newer make

but i have owned various c-j’s over the last 3 decades, they do what you seek, with excellence (still have an et-7 mk2)

bthrb4u
55 posts
 

Literally all of those preamps will bring your system up three notches and make you mad you didn’t do it before. No tube pre is like walking around in undies. Adding tube pre is like having five walk in closets and choosing the best thing you own, getting a manicure, haircut, and winning the lottery in one 

although if going audio research I suggest an ls-28se

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