Preamp recommendations

[tsv_1]

Hi Folks,

Let's say, hypothetically, that a fella was considering a pre-amp for his dedicated two channel system... and let's imagine he's not immediately interested in vinyl (he could always add a phono pre later)... and let's say too that it must have a remote volume control... and could be either tube or SS... and let's say as well that he's a real SNRophobe and needs vanishing low output noise into his amps... and speaking of amps, let's say he's got a set of high power SS amps with an input impedance of 50K Ohms, or there abouts (i.e. easy load). Let's say too that, while he gravitates toward balanced interconnection, he's not anti-RCA either... oh, and let's say he's somehow managed to scrape together $5Kish that could potentially be used for said preamp... and let's say while he'd really prefer black color in order to gracefully coexist with his existing components, other colors are not completely off the table.

So, with those general preferences established - what pre-amp brand/model hypothesis might you offer?

Cheers

[cmalak]

Todd...are you open to used as well?

[Mikado463]

Todd.............with a 'million and one' choices, my vote .....ARC or CJ...but you probably already knew that !

[audiot servant]

Originally Posted by tsv_1

Hi Folks,

and let's say while he'd really prefer black color in order to gracefully coexist with his existing components, other colors are not completely off the table.

So, with those general preferences established - what pre-amp brand/model hypothesis might you offer?

Cheers

Is lustrous emerald green out of the question? I think you know what am suggesting...

(umm, could have a listen to a Soulshine preamp or CJ or just go up and get a REF5SE and be done with it)

Graham

[tsv_1]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Todd...are you open to used as well?

Sure... used (9/10 condition) would be fine... and likely get me into a higher performance model as well.

[tsv_1]

Originally Posted by audiot servant

Is lustrous emerald green out of the question? I think you know what am suggesting...

(umm, could have a listen to a Soulshine preamp or CJ or just go up and get a REF5SE and be done with it)

Graham

Hi Graham,

I was in fact giving the Valvet a few thought cycles. They don't specify output noise figures for the Soulshine which I'm a bit curious about. The REF5SE would be a shoe-in if I could find one somewhere in the same budgetary solar system I'm gravitationally bound to at the moment.

I've also been reading up on the VAC renaissance Mk 3. I'd have to find one closer to my price-point though.

There's also the Audio Valve Eklipse with some very interesting features. And yes, Cary, CJ, and lower ARC models are all interesting... but given the utterly unforgiving nature of the CLXes, whatever I get needs to be exceedingly high caliber (and if at all possible, free )

[dhizzle]

C2300?

[tsv_1]

Originally Posted by dhizzle

C2300?

possibly

[bzr]

Hey Todd, I highly recommend the MOON P7 pre, mine will be for sale but alas it's 230v, I've decided to go digital & be done with it. Sanders amps are a good thing too, haven't heard the Sanders pre except once in a system that I wasn't familiar with but it was bi-amped into Maggie 3.7's & man was that a killer set-up.

[tsv_1]

Originally Posted by bzr

Hey Todd, I highly recommend the MOON P7 pre, mine will be for sale but alas it's 230v, I've decided to go digital & be done with it. Sanders amps are a good thing too, haven't heard the Sanders pre except once in a system that I wasn't familiar with but it was bi-amped into Maggie 3.7's & man was that a killer set-up.

Hey Kev,

I hadn't thought of the P7 - thanks for the pointer on that. And yes, the no-nonsense Sanders Pre is high on the evaluation list as well - especially given the free 30-day in-home trial.

So when you say "go digital and be done with it" I take it to mean you'll use your MSB as a pre-amp, yes?

Cheers