2. amps-preamps
  3. 982036298

Best Balanced and singal ended pre-amp?

Looking for suggestios on my next pre-amp. Needs to be balanced and unbalanced as well as tubed? BAT VK50se would be a consideration if it had rca outputs..as well as the Hovland looks promising but it's only single-ended. I guess that probably leaves an AR unit to check out, although I'm not too fond of AR's styling. The pre-amp must be easily compatible with a variety of amps, both ss and tubed.
Thanks in advance for your opinions. Phono isn't a must but would be a plus. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
jman
bamafan
74 posts
 
Another option that is being overlooked is either the Pass Labs X1 or X0. Both units offer both balanced and single ended connections. I believe the two chassis X1 to be in the $5,000 to $6,000 price range while the three chassis X0 is around $8,000.00. Both are extremely good preamps.
sayas
186 posts
 
sf line 3 is an incredible piece...listening for 2 years and it still seems to be improving its sound quality. i suspect the power supply is still adjusting and therefore the sound is improving. good power ='s great audio. good luck
slingmeister
14 posts
 
The best and I really mean the very best, I have ever heard is the ThorTA-100 single ended pre-amp. After numerous years of trial and errors with other very good and again I really mean very good pre-amps, the Thor made the magical connention for my Lamm M2.1 monobloc amps and Kharma Ceramique 1 speakers ,to further add to the magic the Electrocompanient EMC1 CD playback has brought the system into another Stratosphere!!! I truley believe the Thor is the orchestrator of this wonderful miracle , so true to the natural music that I hear,without a hint of a system playing , rather pure music baby. Yeah , this system rocks!!!!
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