I had a PrimaLuna Evo400 Integrated Amp, it was built like a tank. What it wasn’t in my system was overly warm. I would put it in the category of being Tube gear that leaned toward sounding more SS. If you are chasing warmth, then I’d go with Mac gear, Cary Audio, a newer CJ Pre or have yours updated. Maybe their stand alone Pre’s are different though. Value, dollar for dollar, the Schitt Freya is really hard to top. You could grab one, try it and likely resell it for little to no loss if you bought one used.
McIntoish C8 or PrimaLuna EVO 300
Both of the McIntoish C8 and PrimaLuna EVO 300 preamps seem to check the boxes in terms of inputs, outputs and features, and I can lift them. Does anyone have experience of either or both of these preamps?
I think my system is in need of a bit of warmth, I have noticed recently that the very highest violin notes are a bit aggressive - in the recent past I've been listening to mainly choral works and had not noticed this.
I was playing the Hilary Hahn sonatas and partitas, (I have the disks and digital) and noticed the problem. I dug up my 40 year old (!) C-J PV6 and the sound was sweet to the top, but that pre-amp lost the air and space of the choral recordings; everything was warm and cuddly but the sense of the recording space was lost.
My interconnects are Cardas Clear Reflection and I have the issue on both analog and digital - and with SS or tubed Power amps.
My current preamp is the Benchmark LA4 which is, perhaps, a bit on the analytical side of neutral.
Changing from my Rockport Atria II speakers is NOT an option.
So, I am looking for warmth but not losing the sense of the space, Am I asking too much in the $5k price bracket?
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- 46 posts total
- 46 posts total