looking for a good pre-amp

[reaperx40]

hello all, im looking for a good pre-amp that has dual balanced out,xlr preferred. i am just starting on buying my components for a killer system so far just got the dac which is a denafrips pontus 2...want the dual balanced so i can hook up a head amp as well..as i do have decent hadphones...thanks

 

[Verdinut]

1. What are you looking for? A stereo or a multi-channel preamp, if so how many channels?
2. Why would you need balanced interconnects? Balanced connections are not necessary for most people unless long cable lengths are involved.

 

[reaperx40]

ah sorry yes 2 channel,but for one the amp i am planning on has balanced in only,and the just to keep continuity want to use balanced on head amp also,also i already have the cables,which were a bit expensive lol

 

[Mikado463]

here you go ..............

BAT VK-3ix Stereo Tube Preamplifier; Remote; Black; VK3IX (SOLD2) | Reverb

Product: BAT VK-3ix Stereo Tube Preamplifier; Remote; Black; VK3IXProduct SKU: 45584Serial Number: 030600870Voltage: 120VCosmetic Description: 9/10 Excellent condition with no notable blemishes. What is Included: Preamplifier, Remote, Two JJ 6V6 S tubes, Two Sov...

reverb.com

 

[Mikado463]

opps, appears to have only single balanced out.

 

[Mikado463]

Here's what I'm using, couldn't be happier..............

LS28SE Line-Stage – Audio Research

audioresearch.com

 

[mono-bloc]

Really it comes down to your budget in the end. You can spend a couple of thousand, for something like Rotel, or NAD, or sky high prices for something special /

 

[Verdinut]

ah sorry yes 2 channel,but for one the amp i am planning on has balanced in only,and the just to keep continuity want to use balanced on head amp also,also i already have the cables,which were a bit expensive lol

What is the input sensitivity of your power amplifier? There are a few good two-channel preamps and some which sell for ridiculous prices as well.

You have to make sure that the output capacity of the preamp is high enough to drive the power amps input sensitivity to reach rated output.

The Parasound P6 and the Rotel RC 1572 Mk II might be good contenders at reasonable prices. I repeat that both preamp and power amp have to match output-input wise for acceptable results.

 

[TLS Guy]

hello all, im looking for a good pre-amp that has dual balanced out,xlr preferred. i am just starting on buying my components for a killer system so far just got the dac which is a denafrips pontus 2...want the dual balanced so i can hook up a head amp as well..as i do have decent hadphones...thanks

The Quad Artera has balanced outputs, and would be a good choice. It also has an xlr line input, so you can stay balanced all the way if you want. The Quad unit seems in line with the quality of the rest of your rig.

 

[lovinthehd]

More info about what gear you want to connect to the pre-amp would be helpful. You want overkill like the dac?

 

[TLS Guy]

More info about what gear you want to connect to the pre-amp would be helpful. You want overkill like the dac?

Yes, it seems he is looking for top line, like that DAC.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, it seems he is looking for top line, like that DAC.

Top line in terms of functionality? Spec? Or just cost?

 

[mono-bloc]

Yes, it seems he is looking for top line, like that DAC.

Denafrips pontus 2.is a nice sounding DAC but it's hardly top shelf, They retail here in OZ for close to 3 grand. Which is an average cost.Lets not talk dCS or CS Precision. I had a lend / borrowed Mytek Brooklyn here for a while, then it had to be returned. Retails for $2295 in the USA But well over three grand in OZ. Importing anything at the moment with the exchange rates as low as they are is horrendous, The UK and Europe are a far better bet. And there's not problem with low US voltages

 

[lovinthehd]

Denafrips pontus 2.is a nice sounding DAC but it's hardly top shelf, They retail here in OZ for close to 3 grand. Which is an average cost.Lets not talk dCS or CS Precision. I had a lend / borrowed Mytek Brooklyn here for a while, then it had to be returned. Retails for $2295 in the USA But well over three grand in OZ. Importing anything at the moment with the exchange rates as low as they are is horrendous, The UK and Europe are a far better bet. And there's not problem with low US voltages

Still a silly cost for a dac these days.

 

[Verdinut]

We still don't know the sensitivity of the loudspeakers which will eventually be used in the system.

Usually, it's preferable to have an idea about the speakers to be connected. Otherwise, the chosen power amplifier may not be powerful enough to adequately drive low sensitivity or hard to drive low impedance speakers.

An excellent amplifying system at reasonable cost is the Benchmark HPA4 preamp with the AHB2 power amp. It requires medium to higher sensitivity speakers.

Benchmark HPA4 Headphone / Line Amplifier

Low Stock - The HPA4 is currently shipping from stock, but due to very high demand, inventory levels are low. We ship all orders in the sequence received. We recommend placing an order before these are sold out. We have been working hard to increase our production, but demand has been growing...

benchmarkmedia.com

Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier

Benchmark's new AHB2 Power Amplifier - "The Quietest, Cleanest Audio Amplifier on the Planet"

benchmarkmedia.com

 

[lovinthehd]

OP has provided information "lite" for sure.

 

[TLS Guy]

Top line in terms of functionality? Spec? Or just cost?

Take your pic! The Quad though has balanced in and out. Also Quad carries a three year warranty. I can not see where it is made. I suspect China, but on the back it says Huntingdon England. It is possible they are assembling those units in Huntingdon again. Nowhere does it say it is made in China. Quad has been owned by the International Audio Group out of China for some years. There have been rumors of return to at least some manufacture to Huntingdon, but I can't confirm that. I do know the design team is still in Huntingdon. I would think that unit would check all the boxes, and the specs follow AES standards exactly. It has a full professional specification, and for a unit with those specs, the price is commensurate.

 

[TLS Guy]

We still don't know the sensitivity of the loudspeakers which will eventually be used in the system.

Usually, it's preferable to have an idea about the speakers to be connected. Otherwise, the chosen power amplifier may not be powerful enough to adequately drive low sensitivity or hard to drive low impedance speakers.

An excellent amplifying system at reasonable cost is the Benchmark HPA4 preamp with the AHB2 power amp. It requires medium to higher sensitivity speakers.

Benchmark HPA4 Headphone / Line Amplifier

Low Stock - The HPA4 is currently shipping from stock, but due to very high demand, inventory levels are low. We ship all orders in the sequence received. We recommend placing an order before these are sold out. We have been working hard to increase our production, but demand has been growing...

benchmarkmedia.com

Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier

Benchmark's new AHB2 Power Amplifier - "The Quietest, Cleanest Audio Amplifier on the Planet"

benchmarkmedia.com

He is looking for a preamp, and so the speakers are irrelevant.

 

[lovinthehd]

He is looking for a preamp, and so the speakers are irrelevant.

Eh? Codgeritis setting in yet again?

 

[TLS Guy]

Eh? Codgeritis setting in yet again?

May be for you not me! His post says looking for a good preamp, and he mentions a head amp in his post. He says nothing about speakers, and a preamp would only drive active speakers. In any case the question of speakers has no relevance to the OP's post. No codgeritis here this time, next I can't say.