Pre amp suggestions

[Penthouse-D]

Hi everyone. I'd like some help with picking out a preamp. I'm really happy with my Pass Labs amps. I've been considering ARC and B.A.T., but I'm open to suggestions. I"ve looked at VAC, but not enough XLR inputs. I think I'd like to go with tubes, but I'm stuggling with this choice. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Wasatch]

Yeah, matching up a tube pre with a SS amp is a great combo.

[darkstar]

I can certainly recommend the ARC REF-5SE. An absolute great pre-amp. Low noise, transparent, excellent resolution of detail, big soundstage. Very well balanced with the slightest touch sounding on the warm side of neutral, which could be a great fit with the Magico's.

Rich

[Penthouse-D]

I'm leaning that way. I do hear a lot about the synergy between Pass and B.A.T. though.... Plus, it's tough to get good pricing on ARC.

[doggiehowser]

I have used the ARC Reference 5SE and Bel Canto REF1000M monoblocks as well as Electrocompaniet Nemos.

It's a great combination with the SS amps providing the juice to drive my Thiel CS3.7s (Jim Thiel says watts are cheap ) while the ARC provides a beautiful soundstage depth and dimensionality with a certain lushness to the midrange with virtually no loss to dynamics and detail.

[rnrmf1971]

Purity Audio Design pre amps have intrigued me for awhile.

Purity Audio Design Product Page

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Penthouse-D

I'm really happy with my Pass Labs amps.

then I'd suggest an audition of Nelson's pre as well

I think I'd like to go with tubes, but I'm stuggling with this choice.

why ??

[cmalak]

Jim...the only thing I would watch out for is the impedance match between ARC pres and Pass amps. ARC requires a minimum 20Kohm load to drive, and I believe the input impedance of the Pass amps is 20Kohms via SE and 30Kohms via XLR inputs. So this meets the minimum threshhold recommended by ARC. But because it is right on the cusp, I would recommend auditioning the Ref 5SE (or any other ARC pre) with your Pass amps before pulling the trigger. You want a preamp that has a very low output impedance to match up with your SS Pass amps. I would give a Pass pre a try. The synergy should be there from the get go. My 2c.

[o0OBillO0o]

Originally Posted by Penthouse-D

Hi everyone. I'd like some help with picking out a preamp. I'm really happy with my Pass Labs amps. I've been considering ARC and B.A.T., but I'm open to suggestions. I"ve looked at VAC, but not enough XLR inputs. I think I'd like to go with tubes, but I'm stuggling with this choice. Thanks in advance for your help.

I would get more Pass Labs gear- They are designed to work together. But I'm big fan of matching components (and working to get that way)

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[joeinid]

I know Jim is not crazy about the XP-20, maybe he'd like a really nice, wonderful, musical XP-30?