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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
mbarrett635
45 posts
 

@hifiman5 — I have the black one, which matches the rest of my gear. 
 

@mwood — I’m using an Ice Age Audio power cord; in fact, I have their power cords, interconnects and speaker cables throughout my system. 

laaudionut
317 posts
 

Pass on Pass preamps. Nelson makes fantastic ss amps, however, his preamps fail to live up to the standards of his amps. I have previously owned the XP20 and XP30 and they are dry and anemic in their presentation. Quickly sold each and went with a tube design...I have the Aric Audio Motherlode and have never thought of replacing it.

sdl4
251 posts
 

Anyone looking for a preamp under $10K should definitely look at the PS Audio PMG Signature preamp. Designed by a brilliant young engineer, Darren Myers, this preamp excels at transparency, naturalness, and openness of soundstage, while never sounding harsh or fatiguing. It is also very engaging, dynamic, and "real."

Check out the links to rave reviews on the PS Audio website. For example, Steve Guttenberg gushes over how the PMG pre "nails" the attack and tone of solo piano,  which is notoriously hard to get right. He also finds the PMG to generate more impactful bass and a wider and deeper soundstage than the LTA tube-based preamp that is his current reference.

But there's no need to take my word for it. PS Audio offers a 30-day trial if you want to listen to the PMG preamp in your own system. (And if output impedance is an important issue for you, the impedance for the PMG is 100 ohms.)

 

davide256's avatar
davide256
433 posts
 

Preamps are only one component in the chain. 
I suspect your “ bad actor” is a different component or possibly the combined intersection of 2. If you want useful advice vs random luck share the system… wouldn’t surprise me if the actual cause of your “dry neutral sound” was the combined result of the Benchmark with another component.

dhite71
451 posts
 

@baldassinia 

There is an Audio Research REF 6 on USAM for $6900.  For PASS, you could upgrade to an XP-20 or XP-22 with your budget.  I had a 20 for a while and it was fantastic.

@ghdprentice 

My brain initially went to the 90s also, but I am sure the OP is talking about ARC's new solid state LS-2 and LS-3.  Kind of odd they chose to use those old model numbers with a hyphen.

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