Help choose a preamp

[harri009]

Ok so as you all know I sold my Pass XP20 and Pass X350 to buy a pair of XA100.5's. I now need to figure out a pre that would be suitable enough for 6-7 months until I can get some money back together. Budget right now is only about $1500 and I would be looking at the used market and any great deals out there. I spoke to Mr. Pass before I pulled the trigger on this deal, explained the financials of what I would end up with in the pre dept. Under his advisement he suggested buying the XA's and going to a cheap preamp over having the XP20 and X350. I Had always wondered why the XA series held its value a little better than the X series on the used market. I think I figured it out after speaking to Pass, it's because he is in love with his XA line as well. Anyone who speaks to him about amps will end up buying an XA.5 or .8 series amp. Right now I am running an airport express direct into the amps and controlling volume and music via an iphone, and it still sounds amazing!!! I can't wait to get a good pre in the mix and start playing from from esoteric rather than iphone lol. So we need to decide and we need to decide fast lol. Thanks for the help guys Ps: things I would like to have: Silver face plate Remote volume Balanced in and out

[Jack in Wilmington]

I see an Audio Research LS15 for $1495 on Audiogon that looks like a nice fill in piece and they seem to hold their value so you could sell it and not take too big of a hit. Unless you were looking for SS.

[harri009]

My buddy suggested the same one, I may make an offer. I haven't heard much audio research outside of their ref line.

[cmalak]

Check with Nelson if he thinks they are a good match from an impedance perspective.

[harri009]

I was also contemplating a passive pre like the Axiom 2 or audio note. I do not know anything about impedance matching etc though. Have any if you used passives with success on an XA line amp?

[wawa_chan]

I think you could pickup an Ayre K-5xe used for close to that. Very good pre-amplifier.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Harri009,

I would save your money and eventually go for an XP-30 demo or used unit from Reno Hi Fi. You will be able to get one for a great price. I went for the demo unit and I couldn't be happier with the XP-30 & XA-100.5 combo.

Best,
Ken

[Robert_Anderson]

I have a Levinson 26 you are welcome to borrow while you are shopping around. It's in the big stack near my Avalon system. I plan to use it eventually with my headphone system, but with my travels, it ain't gonna happen any time soon. I owe you the favor for taking the VPI to my pad.

If you can hold out, I strongly recommend the EAR 868 I am using, although it is considerably more that what you want to spend right now.

[harri009]

Originally Posted by Robert_Anderson

I have a Levinson 26 you are welcome to borrow while you are shopping around. It's in the big stack near my Avalon system. I plan to use it eventually with my headphone system, but with my travels, it ain't gonna happen any time soon. I owe you the favor for taking the VPI to my pad. If you can hold out, I strongly recommend the EAR 868 I am using, although it is considerably more that what you want to spend right now.

Wow man that would be great! While you don't owe me anything i would really appreciate it and have never tried a Levinson product so it would be fun. Is the ear on the boat or is it in your main rig? It looks like a beautiful piece.

[Robert_Anderson]

It's at the house, you can go get it anytime. I'm working right now on some coding stuff with MIT that will take awhile, I will PM you my personal email later when I'm done so it's easier for us to communicate. You will have to just be careful taking it out of my "pawnshop" stack behind the Avalons.