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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
dseltz
225 posts
 

@rocray +1

Also, if this is the preamp you want for 20 years, a 6 month wait is not too much to ask. I run mine with both Atmasphere Class D monos and a custom Radu Tarta 45 SET into 106dB Charney Audio speakers. Both are DEAD SILENT.  I would also recommend getting Ken-Rad VT 231 tubes for the Motherload XL. Musical heaven!

elliottbnewcombjr
7,695 posts
 

I can't count, it's only 62 years young

 

kirkwallace's avatar
kirkwallace
279 posts
 

@dseltz good points.  And Aric mentioned to me that the wait is now more like 5 months and he hopes to be able to cut that down more in the coming months. So, @rowester it’d be good to check in with him as you get closer to a decision to see what the time line is like more accurately. 

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
809 posts
 

Leben gear is beautiful, but their pre has a wonderful phono stage that would just go to waste in your system.  An alternate path, given the efficiency of your Cornwalls, is to buy a Leben integrated, and replace your Michi as well.  I have the 600x.

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,475 posts
 

The Raven Preamplifier I have. A keeper

Manley Neo Classic 300B Preamplifier..Hum? (Also 300B's can be expensive)

Or sell your Michi S5 power amp (more power than the Klipsch ever need) and get a ACCUPHASE E-3000 - INTEGRATED STEREO AMPLIFIER. (also more power that yr. speakers need) but anything Accuphase makes is dah bomb. Less $$$ on cables too.

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