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Thread: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
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November 7, 2021, 04:10 PM #1
It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Well I recently purchased a new headphone amp so I could upgrade to a balanced headphone experience. The trouble is what I thought would work in the connections, sadly did not work. Now my wife has watched me working on this for a month and yesterday she said, and I love when she says this, "What do you need to make it work". What I needed is a preamp with dual input connections. She says, "What is this going to cost" I tell her, mid 4K range. She gives me the green light.
Right now I'm looking at the Bryston BP-17 or the Pass Labs XP-12 (she might go that high) ($5800).
Anything else I should check out? Thanks, GuysSpeakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 7, 2021, 04:59 PM #2
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Love that! Good luck with your search.
Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.
Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE
NAD C 658 streamer.
First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)
Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.
Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.
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November 7, 2021, 05:02 PM #3
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Jack what do you mean “dual input connections”?
Marty
Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
MSB Premier
Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
PS Audio Powerplant 15
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November 7, 2021, 05:36 PM #4
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 7, 2021, 05:51 PM #5
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Marty
Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
MSB Premier
Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
PS Audio Powerplant 15
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November 7, 2021, 06:31 PM #6
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)
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November 7, 2021, 06:35 PM #7
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Marty
Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
MSB Premier
Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
PS Audio Powerplant 15
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November 7, 2021, 07:12 PM #8
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 8, 2021, 10:56 AM #9
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November 8, 2021, 11:42 AM #10
- Join Date
- May 2017
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- Ohio, USA
- Posts
- 181
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
As far as I know, the Pass Labs XP-12 has only ONE set of XLR outputs and ONE set of RCA outputs.
Electronics: Pass Labs XP-22, Pass Labs X250.8
Digital: T+A DAC 200, Auralic Aries G1, Sony UBP-X800M
Analog: Pro-Ject X2 w/ Ortofon 2M Black, iFi Phono3 Phonostage
Speakers: Janszen Audio Valentina P8, SVS SB13-Ultra
Other: David Laboga Custom Audio/Shunyata/Audioquest cabling, PS Audio PowerPlant 15
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November 8, 2021, 12:10 PM #11
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Two that come to mind immediately that are both in your price range and have the hookups you desire.
The Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2 has great hookup flexibility and is a fine pre-amp.
The second I would recommend because I love mine is the Hattor. Hattor is a passive pre-amp extraordinary performance and add the Tube Active Stage and you are in your budget. A true three box pre-amp with amazing flexibility and a fantastic performer. The top resistor choice (AMRG Trans) version is $1900, the tube active stage is $1900. Arek includes 5 inputs and 4 outputs in any combination of XLR and RCA. I got mine with 3x XLR inputs, 2x RCA inputs, and 2x of each outputs. Also, a really nice full function compact metal remote... both units shipped in flight cases.
Hattor Audio
Hattor AudioMcIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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November 8, 2021, 12:36 PM #12
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- Nov 2013
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Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
I vote for the Pass to get that same brand synergy. I have not heard the XP12 but I loved my XP10.
You might also look at Coda, I believe their entry is around $3k give or take, not sure the in/out array. The 07x is $6k but discounts can sometimes be had, a smaller than normal chassis but the sound quality is far beyond its price. My friend has one that replaced a very capable preamp, the 07x was better by a long shot.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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November 8, 2021, 01:20 PM #13
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Unfortunately the Pass does not offer the multiple XLR outputs that Jack was hoping to get. I totally understand his desires because finding a pre-amp that offers the connections needed with the quality level you are looking for is not always easy. I simply do not understand why many/most pre-amps do not offer a good array of hookups.
I went through the exact same thing. I really wanted at least 2x XLR and 2x RCA outputs. I currently use 2x XLR and 1x RCA in my setup. Not may, especially in the more economical range have enough inputs... I would think 5 should be a minimal... and for my use 3x XLR and 2x RCA was a must.McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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November 8, 2021, 01:27 PM #14
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Tino is correct, the Pass XP-12 has only one set of balanced outputs, so we can remove that from the board.
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 8, 2021, 01:32 PM #15
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
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- Minnesota
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- 1,369
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Also take a look at the Atma-sphere MP-3, although it is fully balanced. A friend of mine and a member here has one with a pair of XA-100.5 Pass mono's and it sounds great. I like the pairing of my BAT preamp with my Pass.
My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.
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November 8, 2021, 01:48 PM #16
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Antipodes EX…Schiit Yggdrasil...Coda 07x…Peachtree GaN400...Vivid V1.5
Intona Premium USB…Cerious Graphene Extreme XLR...Double Helix Cables Chaperone XLR...Acoustic Revive SPC-PA
Torus RM15...Shunyata Alpha HC…Mad Scientist First...HF Reveal...XLO Ref 3
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November 8, 2021, 02:01 PM #17
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Jack, if I understand correctly you are looking for a preamp that has two pairs of balanced XLR outputs that can simultaneously feed your speaker stereo amplifier and your headphone amplifier. The Bryston BR-20 will do that and is an upgrade in terms of sound quality over the BR-17. The downside is the BR-20 does not have single-ended RCA analog inputs, in case you need that from your source, and you may be paying for other features you don't need.
However, you could also try a XLR female to split XLR male connection, from your Cary SLP-03 to your Pass Labs X150.5 and Burson Soloist 3X. The X150.5 balanced input impedance is 20 kOhms, and the Soloist input impedance is 35 kOhms. So your input impedance in parallel will be ~12.7 kOms. The SLP-03 output impedance is 500 ohms. So your impedance ratio when split will still be approximately 25:1, which should be good enough assuming the manufacturer's specified impedances do not vary widely by frequency.
A splitter adapter or cable will be much less expensive than a new preamp, plus both the Bryston BP-17^3 and BR-20 are going to sound significantly different than your SLP-03 which you may not like. Even if the splitter doesn't work well, it won't have cost much to try.Neko Audio
Authorized Dealer: AC Infinity, APC, Audeze, Bryston, Devialet, Elite HTS, Fortress Seating, JMF Audio, JVC, Kaleidescape, LG, LUMIN, Magico, Ortofon, RME, Samsung, Soulution, STAX, Trinnov, Vivid Audio, Weiss & more.
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November 8, 2021, 02:12 PM #18
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 8, 2021, 08:27 PM #19
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
I'll be bringing the Bryston BP-17 home for an inhouse trial tomorrow. My local dealer feels this is the best way to audition a piece of gear.
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 9, 2021, 04:58 PM #20
- Join Date
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- Location
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Posts
- 3,067
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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November 9, 2021, 05:03 PM #21
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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November 9, 2021, 07:03 PM #22
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Took a couple hours to connect. Some of the after market plugs are really tough to work with. Had a Brahms violin concerto up on the CD player so I decided to play it and get a class of wine to celebrate. First impressions are difficult, but I had just played this piece with the Cary in the starting lineup. It may not have had the warmth of the Cary but it low volume, I still felt I was in grossed in the music. At other times I've felt my mind wander at low volumes. Still lots to listen to.
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 10, 2021, 02:12 PM #23
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Synology 1019D+ - SGC Sonictransporter I9 w Roon/HQ Player- UltraRendu- PBD Stream IF to Playback Designs MPS5 via fiber optic - ARC 40th Anniversary Pre - ARC 610 T's - Martin Logan CLX's - 4 Martin Logan Depth i Subs - Shunyata Hydra, DIY PCOCC interconnects, speaker cables and power cords with Furutech terminations. Blue Jeans CAT 6's. Acoustically treated room with one permanent chair.
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November 10, 2021, 10:33 PM #24
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 11, 2021, 09:42 AM #25
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Jack, I think you've misunderstood the question, it's about pre-amp / phono-pre connectivity.
Cheers ! …. Dave
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November 11, 2021, 11:20 AM #26
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Speakers- Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II, Amp - Pass Labs X150.5, Preamp - McIntosh C2600, Turntable - Music Hall MMF-9.3, Cartridge - Goldring Eroica LX, Phono PreAmp - Sutherland Insight, Digital Playback - Rotel RCD-1072, DAC - Bryston BDA-3, Headphones - Sennheiser HD-660S, and Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX. Headphone Amp - Bryston BHA-1
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November 11, 2021, 12:05 PM #27
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
all good Jack......
Cheers ! …. Dave
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November 16, 2021, 12:57 PM #28
- Join Date
- Jan 2018
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Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
Bump
sonus faber guarneri evolution and raidho c1.2, berkeley alpha dac 2, micro Zotl m2z preamplifier, classe cam 400 mono amps, audio note lexus speaker cables, audioquest water interconnects
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November 23, 2021, 03:07 PM #29
Re: It's Time For A New Preamplifier
< deleted: irrelevant content>
Last edited by Feanor; November 23, 2021 at 03:09 PM. Reason: irrelevant
~ Bill
Win10/Foobar2000 => Topping D90 DAC => Sonic Frontiers Line 1 SE+ preamp => VTV Purifi 1ET400A stereo amp with Sparkos SS3602 op amps => Zaph Audio ZRT speakers (DIY) + PSB Subsonic 5 subwoofer
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
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