Thinking about upgrading my preamp...

[Randy Myers]

The Wyred 4 Sound is definitely a better pre-amp and more flexible, however it does not have a built in DAC. You could use your OPPO as your DAC.

[chops]

The Wyred 4 Sound is definitely a better pre-amp and more flexible, however it does not have a built in DAC. You could use your OPPO as your DAC.

Well, without there being a direct comparison between the two, no one will know if one is "definitely" better than the other as a simple preamp as far as sound quality is concerned.

But, with that being said, the hunt is over. I made the "mistake" of contacting Walter at Underwood Hifi last night. I couldn't refuse his great offer on the Stellar Gain Cell DAC and ordered it. It will be here before this coming weekend.


I DO want to thank everyone who gave me their input, opinions and options in this thread though. You've all been a great help.

[Randy Myers]

Gratz my friend. It is always great getting everyone's inputs and thoughts. To me that helps a lot. Sometimes something that is said gets me thinking about something I had not previously considered... sometimes not...

In the end you pick what is fitting your needs the most. The PS Audio is a good piece of gear and I am sure you will be happy with it!

[chops]

Thank you sir! You are correct. Getting info and thoughts from others does in fact trigger your own thoughts about things that you didn't really consider beforehand. And to be honest, I was extremely close to pulling the trigger on a maxed out Hattor "BIG" preamp. That little thing is just sexy and a great deal even at full price. For some reason, I decided to halt on ordering it right away because I wanted to do just a little more research and a few more options to look at.

Trust me, if money were no object, I would either have a Pass XP-12, McIntosh C47 or... OR... the Dan D'Agostino Momentum.

[Randy Myers]

If money was no object I could be very dangerous ...

Maybe an ARC Reference 10... top end Mc... but I would probably lean towards ultra sound quality, which in my view would eliminate my home town company (Sorry Mc owners ). After having these SET amps I am not sure I could go back .

A guy in our audio club has a Reference 10 phono pre-amp. He is using a MBL pre-amp and MBL mono blocks with his new MBL speakers. He also has a dCS digital (mainly as a spinner since he has not gotten into music server yet).

[chops]

I think all of us would be very dangerous if that were the case. LOL

I've had a few all tube systems with SET amps before, and there's definitely something magical about them. But that was back in my large high efficiency loudspeaker days when I had the room for them and the fact that I used to turn off my equipment every day.

[Randy Myers]

I don't believe I would be happy with a standard SET amp because I have never been happy with horn/super efficient speakers. Granted, I have not heard the new high end of this type speaker.

The Audio Mirror has enough power to drive my KEFs, so one of the high end more powerful SETs ...

[nc42acc]

Charles glad to see you are considering the Hattor. You are more than welcome to borrow my all passive Hattor if you like. It is all XLR in and out but I think I have a pair of RCA converters.

Thank you sir! You are correct. Getting info and thoughts from others does in fact trigger your own thoughts about things that you didn't really consider beforehand. And to be honest, I was extremely close to pulling the trigger on a maxed out Hattor "BIG" preamp. That little thing is just sexy and a great deal even at full price. For some reason, I decided to halt on ordering it right away because I wanted to do just a little more research and a few more options to look at.

Trust me, if money were no object, I would either have a Pass XP-12, McIntosh C47 or... OR... the Dan D'Agostino Momentum.

[chops]

I don't believe I would be happy with a standard SET amp because I have never been happy with horn/super efficient speakers. Granted, I have not heard the new high end of this type speaker.

The Audio Mirror has enough power to drive my KEFs, so one of the high end more powerful SETs ...

I don't know... Maybe something in the Tannoy Prestige line would do nicely with a pair of small SET amps.

[chops]

Charles glad to see you are considering the Hattor. You are more than welcome to borrow my all passive Hattor if you like. It is all XLR in and out but I think I have a pair of RCA converters.

Marty, thank you for the very kind offer. I too have some of those XLR/RCA converters as well back when I was running the dbx Driverack and active multi-amp setup. I honestly don't know how a purely passive preamp would work in my system with dual powered subs and somewhat inefficient monitor speakers. The subs would be no worry, but I don't know if I would have enough gain for the monitors.

[Randy Myers]

When my Audio Mirror finally arrives back I am hoping it is perfect and matches the amps wonderfully. If it is not 100% perfect then I will probably go with a refund and the Hattor might be something to consider.

I was looking at their website and In find it a bit confusing. In several of the photos I see both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs (which is what I want). But I don't understanding the pricing structure. They show several options and I cannot determine exactly how much the configuration that I want would run?

Also, do they come with a remote? I see pictures of remote but it is confusing if this is optional????

[chops]

When my Audio Mirror finally arrives back I am hoping it is perfect and matches the amps wonderfully. If it is not 100% perfect then I will probably go with a refund and the Hattor might be something to consider.

I was looking at their website and In find it a bit confusing. In several of the photos I see both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs (which is what I want). But I don't understanding the pricing structure. They show several options and I cannot determine exactly how much the configuration that I want would run?

Also, do they come with a remote? I see pictures of remote but it is confusing if this is optional????

Randy,

I had no idea you were having issues with your Audio Mirror preamp. Hopefully it comes back safely and works the way it should. It's never fun having issues with stereo equipment and the fears of shipping back and forth.

Hattor's site is the clearest out there, but essentially you get to choose what grade resistors you want to use, whatever combination of XLR and and single ended inputs and outputs you want, whether you want a fully passive unit or an active section with two different types of opamps, and/or a tube buffer stage, not to mention what kind of chassis finish you want. I believe the remote comes with any and all options.

Yeah... Clear as mud, right?

[Randy Myers]

Yes, very muddy indeed ...

Yes the Audio Mirror had an issue right out of the box ... Vlad offered to refund it but also said if I shipped it back he would give it top priority. He said he ran it for a full day prior to shipping, which I believe he did. He seems like a straight shooter.... It just has taken FedEx two weeks to get it back to him in Minnesota ....

[chops]

Sorry to hear that Randy. These days, it doesn't matter if you ship USPS, FedEx or UPS. They all stink and don't care one bit about the packages they handle. I've seen it first hand right in front of me. They simply don't care.

Hopefully your preamp will get back to you soon.

[Randy Myers]

Yea, especially since I really have not been able to even listen to it yet (other than troubleshooting).

[chops]

[Randy Myers]

Awesome Charles. How does it sound?

[dubkarma]

IMO the best sounding preamp under $2K is the Wyred4Sound STP-SE

Have to say that I was not impressed with the STP-SE. Went back to a Bryston BP-25 with MPS-1 power supply. Perhaps it was a question of system synergy (Universal Audio 2192 ADC/DAC, Technics SP-10MKII table, Ayre P-5x phono stage, McCormack DNA-500, Bryston BDP-3 music streamer, Tannoy System 215 DMT II speakers, Mogami wire, Torus RM20 power isolation unit).