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Another tube preamp "What should I buy" question.

I’m looking for a preamp to last me for the next 20 years - a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend big. Have a Holo Spring DAC, and will never have a turntable so linestage only. It’s to feed a Michi S5 power amp, into a pair of Cornwalls.

I’m close to pushing the button on a McIntosh MC2700. But why not the Prima Luna Evo 400 Pre? Or (and this is a wildcard) a Leben preamp? Love the idea of a Manley Neo Classic 300B but am concerned of reports of hum that the Cornwalls would only accentuate.

I know this kind of question has been asked many times before on this forum, but what’s the current view? Does anyone have an informed opinion one way or the other?

rowester
lanx0003
1,959 posts
 

OTL with little or zero feedback design is main stream for tube preamp.  Give boutique company like LTA a chance.  Its MicroZOTL level 3 is well reviewed.

tattooedtrackman's avatar
tattooedtrackman
892 posts
 

ARC REF 

5se 
6 

6se 

parkergetdean
1,087 posts
 

Give boutique companies a chance

yes!

zarf's avatar
zarf
108 posts
 

Five hundred watts into a CW4 is a hell of a thing.

Picking a supremely quiet preamp would be my best suggestion. Something with adjustable gain would be my second suggestion. Aric and LTA can do that, and possibly ARC.

I'm not sure that CJ offers adjustable gain.

lanx0003
1,959 posts
 

But I’m against price gouging. The MicroZOTL Level 3 was selling for around $4.5k at the end of last year, but now it’s close to $6k.  I apoligize if my memory does not serve me well.

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