Preamp advice

Definitely ARC has done better since the LS2B.

What do you guys think about a valve based McIntosh preamp ?

kunalraiker,

Since you are in Australia, I'd recommend you look at used Supratek preamps. I've heard the 6SN7 Cabernet, Cabernet DHT, and Grange preamps...and they've all been exceptional.

Mick Maloney (owner, builder, designer) has been sick for quite a while and I don't think he is building any new preamps....but if you can find them used, they are great preamps.

Others have mentioned the Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp, and the Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp (sold by Spatial Audio); and I can verify both are amazing.....the best 2 preamps I've ever heard. For disclosure I own Aric's Motherlode XL preamp as well as his Transcend "Push Pull" EL34 amplifier.

Ancient 'phile here. Owned a lot of kit over the decades. but for the last ~8 years a dac/pre; Audio Alchemy  DDP-1, which died about 4 months ago. Thinking it might cost to much to repair, I contacted AA but got no response, which was a blessing in disguise. Being retired living on SS ans a small monthly insurance stipend, even used hi-end kit is out of h question. I had been watching YTVs (made by several non-hi-end reviewers) about various Asian companies making quality audio, but as a Amazon not only do they carry most of the brands I was curious about, but free returns AND 6 no interest payments: first I bought a SMSL PL200T top loading transport, and partly because it decodes MQA (I know not many many of  them available, but still)... Amazing for $500. Next I bought a Topping D90iii Dac/Pre; a one bit, discrete, fully balanced @ $999 (MSRP of AA  when new was $2600), and as good as. Reading more, several reviewers urged getting a preamp. I bought the Topping D90 @$900) . IMHO, all outstanding value for < a quality used transport, dac or pre. High end prices are dinosaurs. The Ladder Bach II is very highly regarded as are several others all < $1500 HTH

@tweak1  I agree the topping pre gets awesome reviews.

I need to try it.