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Allnic L-10000 OTL/OCL Line preamp
I heard this preamp in my house today with the following system:
Yamaha NS5000 speakers | CODA #16 amp | Allnic D-15000 OTL/OCL Signature DAC | Allnic L-10000 OTL/OCL Line preamp
I had the Allnic DAC in the house for the past 4 days and I have decided to buy it (I need to save a lot of pennies first). Reason being it was the most detailed and clean sounding DAC I have ever heard but it was also a tube DAC and had that tube holographic presentation. Wonderful sound and made me a believer for the first time in spending more than $4k on a DAC. I also have heard a few other DACs which give me context as to how good this one was.
Now my question is about the preamp. Anyone heard it before? How does it rank with other preamps you have owned? I do not know much about tube preamps (only owned the Schitt Freya+ before) and this Allnic preamp was better than my Benchmark HPA4 preamp that I currently use (and love). It added some extra texture to the sound that made it sound even more realistic. For example, the congas on the start of Sympathy for the Devil were clearly more realistic with the Allnic tube preamp.
Again, like the DAC, the preamp seemed to have a very detailed and clean sound but also a tube sound. Other than the Benchmark HPA4 I have not heard any preamp being as detailed, but I have not heard that many preamps.
The HPA4 preamp and the Allnic DAC combo was great the past 4 days, the Allnic preamp was even better, but it costs a ton of money.
My CODA amp and Yamaha NS5000 speakers are end game for me. The Allinc DAC will also be end game (given the price it better be). The HPA4 preamp was end game for the past decade though I am waffling on that after today.
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Allnic discontinued the L-10,000 OTL/OCL and underwent an entire redesign from the power supply to the circuit topography. L-10,000 OTL/OCL “signature” is the replacement model. There is no current review publication that I am aware of at this time. The improvement is significant. The above review while positive would be inaccurate representation for today’s model. |
I’m sure the Allnic is a great preamp (at $30k it damn well better be!), but there are some other really good ones under $10k like the Spatial Audio Raven, Backert Rhumba Extreme/Rhythm, and LTA MicroZOTL Level 3. They all offer trial periods, and unless you’re getting a huge deal on the Allnic I’d try at least one of those first as they’re all likely a good step up over your Benchmark. Just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck. |
@jasonbournce71 I sold my great BMW M3 E46 stick shift a few years ago and now bicycle everywhere. Had that car for 20 years. No other car will do now. @soix Thanks for that list. I had forgotten these preamps that I read about on A'gon.
. It was the best sound I have ever heard from my system. So detailed and clean but also full bodied. This weekend I will go to LA CanJam show where the Allnc DAC and the new Schitt Byggi will both be available to hear. Maybe the Byggi will be great, and I then get the Allnic pre but not the Allnic DAC. I know for sure I cannot do both the Allnic pre and DAC on my budget. Getting the Allnic DAC is my current thinking, but time will tell.
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