Pre-amp recommendations

[The Assassin Blevins]

Hello! I'm seeking opinons on the best pre-amps between $5k - $15k. Which one's do you like? I currently have a Trinnov Altitude and am considering switching to a dedicated 2 channel set up in hopes of an unmistakable imporvement in sound quality. Can that be achieved in this price range? I will also be seeking an appropriate DAC of course (and would love your recommendations). Based on my preferences for warm, smooth sound it's possible a tube pre-amp and/or DAC would be to my liking but I'm unsure of that. Oh!... And I won't have any need for headphones or a turntable... I will likely only be streaming music via Tidal and the like. Thank you for your thoughts, opinions and recommendations.

 

[Kofi Baffour]

Hello! I'm seeking opinons on the best pre-amps between $5k - $15k. Which one's do you like?

Marantz AV20

 

[Lee]

Hello! I'm seeking opinons on the best pre-amps between $5k - $15k. Which one's do you like?

Look for a used Audio Research Ref 6SE or Ref 6.

 

[58spdstr]

Hello! I'm seeking opinons on the best pre-amps between $5k - $15k. Which one's do you like?

A lot obviously depends on how you'll use it, what you listen to and your upstream and downstream equipment. I am a pure digital guy sourcing from a streamer and CD transport so really just need a line stage preamp. I have had great performance with my current preamp, an Aesthetix Calypso Eclipse. Having tubes in the signal chain works well in my system to contribute to a very analog like sound and feel. If your source equipment includes vinyl, expect to pay more for the added phono stage

 

[chuck]

Boulder 812.

 

[gestalt]

You might find the SW1X Audio Design PRE III interesting: https://sw1xad.co.uk/products/sw1x-pre-iii-power-line-pre-amplifier/

 

[The Assassin Blevins]

Marantz AV20

Thank you. That appears to be an AV processor (correct me if I'm wrong). I already have a Trinnov which is a fantastic processor but I'm seeking better quality sound if possible. (I just edited my post to reflect that actually).

 

[The Assassin Blevins]

Look for a used Audio Research Ref 6SE or Ref 6.

Thank you! What are your thoughts on the LS28SE? (I just edited my post a little to reflect the possibility of wanting tubes).

 

[The Assassin Blevins]

A lot obviously depends on how you'll use it, what you listen to and your upstream and downstream equipment. I am a pure digital guy sourcing from a streamer and CD transport so really just need a line stage preamp. I have had great performance with my current preamp, an Aesthetix Calypso Eclipse. Having tubes in the signal chain works well in my system to contribute to a very analog like sound and feel. If your source equipment includes vinyl, expect to pay more for the added phono stage

Thank you for that. I just updated my post to reflect my preference for a softer, smoother, warmer sound possibly leading towards tubes. Also, no need for a phono stage in my case but thank you for pointing that out as I will edit that into my post as well. Thank you so much.

 

[The Assassin Blevins]

Boulder 812.

Thank you for that. I will take a look at their products!

 

[The Assassin Blevins]

You might find the SW1X Audio Design PRE III interesting: https://sw1xad.co.uk/products/sw1x-pre-iii-power-line-pre-amplifier/

View attachment 162474

I'm unfamiliar with this brand but I will research it, thank you. I've just updated my post to reflect a few things I likely should have mentioned... Mainly that I'm seeking noticeable improvement over the Trinnov Altitude I currently have (if possible in my price range) and the possibility tubes are more in liine with my musical preferences though that is as of yet unconfirmed. Might that bit of information change your recommendation?

 

[Kofi Baffour]

Thank you. That appears to be an AV processor (correct me if I'm wrong). I already have a Trinnov which is a fantastic processor but I'm seeking better quality sound if possible. (I just edited my post to reflect that actually).

if you already have the Trinnov then what more do you need? what do you meanby quality of sound? and how is the Trinnov not achieving that?

 

[gestalt]

I'm unfamiliar with this brand but I will research it, thank you. I've just updated my post to reflect a few things I likely should have mentioned... Mainly that I'm seeking noticeable improvement over the Trinnov Altitude I currently have (if possible in my price range) and the possibility tubes are more in liine with my musical preferences though that is as of yet unconfirmed. Might that bit of information change your recommendation?

SW1X sounds pretty ideal for those goals, in my opinion. I'm 615-838-7178 if you get curious and would like to discuss.

Cheers,
Colin

 

[Lee]

Thank you! What are your thoughts on the LS28SE? (I just edited my post a little to reflect the possibility of wanting tubes).

It’s very good!

 

[The Assassin Blevins]

if you already have the Trinnov then what more do you need? what do you meanby quality of sound? and how is the Trinnov not achieving that?

The basis of my post is that someone put it in my ear that a 2 channel pre-amp and separate DAC will for sure sound better than simply using 2 channels from the Trinnov. This is not because I dislike the Trinnov... This is only because I initially intended to grow the number of channels I used over time... But I've found I just love 2 channel so much I don't need/want more channels. So I'm trying to learn/discover if a pre-amp and DAC would in fact sound better and if so, is it financially possible for me. Again, it's not that I don't like the sound of the Trinnov... It's just that I wonder if it "could" sound better within my price range.

 

[allvinyl]

Viola Audio Labs Crescendo

 

[Kofi Baffour]

The basis of my post is that someone put it in my ear that a 2 channel pre-amp and separate DAC will for sure sound better than simply using 2 channels from the Trinnov. This is not because I dislike the Trinnov... This is only because I initially intended to grow the number of channels I used over time... But I've found I just love 2 channel so much I don't need/want more channels. So I'm trying to learn/discover if a pre-amp and DAC would in fact sound better and if so, is it financially possible for me. Again, it's not that I don't like the sound of the Trinnov... It's just that I wonder if it "could" sound better within my price range.

whoever said that maybe they have a certain experience but imo that is just chasing your tail imo. If you're truly implementing the Trinnov with the right speaker and you have decent iterative room treatment and placement, there will be no need to buy separates imo but that is just me. Hope you get to demo some stuff though

 

[Devil Horns]

As someone who had high-quality separate A/V processors in the past (Marantz) they simply can't compete with a dedicated 2-channel preamp of commensurate price or cheaper. Not even close.

Anyway, here's a couple of preamp suggestions based on what I have owned:

Within your budget: Manley Neo-Classic 300B - A seriously good all-valve preamp for the money with a holographic soundstage and liquid midrange. Not too "toobey" or overly warm, solid build and is also a reference headphone amp (which is how I'm using it these days). Served me well for 15 years.

Over your budget: Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo - Clarity, detail, confidence and addictive musicality. Fully balanced all the way with build quality to die for. Pricey but if you can get it ex-demo or second-hand (like I did) it should get close to your budget. An incredible pre.