Balanced preamp : W4s, Hegel or parasound ?

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Ros3bud

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Aug 29, 2018
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Hi all,

I'm looking to change my audio Gd nfb1amp preamp for one with a real HT bypass (plus xlr input, 2 RCA inputs, RCA and XLR outputs...).

I've found 3 candidates under 1500$ (used ones) :

- wyred4sound Mpre : great reviews a few years ago but very ugly :weird:
- hegel P20 : very few reviews, looks solid
- Parasound P7 : swiss army knife. Musical enough?

What are your views on these devices ? Is there other good choices for the same price ?
I prefer neutral/ warm sound than bright one.
I made some researches on the forum, I live in Europe so many brands are unavailable in my country (or too much custom taxes).
I saw the Schiit Freya, it hasn't real HT bypass, it's too bad.

:D
 
Ros3bud said:
Hi all,

I'm looking to change my audio Gd nfb1amp preamp for one with a real HT bypass (plus xlr input, 2 RCA inputs, RCA and XLR outputs...).

I've found 3 candidates under 1500$ (used ones) :

- wyred4sound Mpre : great reviews a few years ago but very ugly :weird:
- hegel P20 : very few reviews, looks solid
- Parasound P7 : swiss army knife. Musical enough?

What are your views on these devices ? Is there other good choices for the same price ?
I prefer neutral/ warm sound than bright one.
I made some researches on the forum, I live in Europe so many brands are unavailable in my country (or too much custom taxes).
I saw the Schiit Freya, it hasn't real HT bypass, it's too bad.

:D
Click to expand...

Joe was telling me the W4S is a great preamp. Hopefully he will chime in here.
 
The W4S stage 2 preamp is stunning. I don’t know enough about the Mpre.

Friends and I were a little disappointed by the matching preamp for the H30. I forgot the model number but at the time, it really held back the amp.

I have no experience with the Parasound but they get lots of love around the forums.
 
IMO, the W4S STP-SE-2 in balanced mode, is a stunning preamplifier, punching w-a-a-a-y above it's price point. Of course, I am biased, as I eventually chose to buy mine as it was so good.
 
Jim Smith said:
IMO, the W4S STP-SE-2 in balanced mode, is a stunning preamplifier, punching w-a-a-a-y above it's price point. Of course, I am biased, as I eventually chose to buy mine as it was so good.
Click to expand...

The stp se , simple version is still a good preamp ?
Very pricey in my country.

And I had a look to the audio gd master 1, nice reviews.. could it be better than Mpre w4s, primare pre32, parasound p7, hegel p20, hattor mini with opa...?
 
Ros3bud said:
The stp se , simple version is still a good preamp ?
Very pricey in my country.

And I had a look to the audio gd master 1, nice reviews.. could it be better than Mpre w4s, primare pre32, parasound p7, hegel p20, hattor mini with opa...?
Click to expand...

I only have direct experience with the STP-SE-2.

I have NOT compared it directly to the Hegel or Parasound, each of which should be very good.
 
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