Benchmark LA4 vs Linear Audio Tube microZOTL Preamplifier (Level 2)

@thriftyaudio For all of my 2-channel listening I use the HPA4 (same as the LA4) and the Holo Audio Serene. The Serene is almost a copy of the HPA4, just a tad warmer. The Serene also sounds nice with Class A amps, such as my CODA #16. Though I keep thinking of trading it for a LA4.

Another preamp that I owned and is always regarded as sounding like a tube preamp is the solid-state CODA 07x (the most recent model). As with many tube setups I found it too noisy in relation to my LA4 (owned before the HPA4).

Have you considered using a tube DAC with the LA4? That way you can have the best of both worlds, except for your turntable.

I also have SACD's and use the GEERFab D.BOB to play the DSD stream on my DACs which are better decoders than the OPPO player. Your Briscati DAC should be great with your SACDs. I feel the disk playback seems a bit better than streaming. A shorter path in many ways.

GeerFab Audio D.BOB Digital BreakOut Box (OPEN) – Upscale Audio

"Maybe I will keep the LA4 and switch back and forth."

Great choice. Get another preamp for variety. If your power amp has a front facing switch to toggle between RCA and XLR inputs, then you can even have 2 preamps hooked up at the same time. You need to see if your Bricasti is good with having the RCA and XLR outputs connected at the same time to 2 different preamps. In my office, I have my Yggi+ OG DAC connected to 2 preamps and a tube headphone amp at the same time.

BTW - My Schitt Yggi+ OG was compared this weekend to the Dave and the Tambaqui at a pretty cool headphone event. I was not there but I got feedback that both DACs were slightly favored over the OG.

"The LA4 does a better job with the M1S2 than the DAC does by itself."

I found that all DACs I had in my system were better served by the volume on the LA4. The only one that came close was the Lumin X1 that has a special Leedh volume control. Even that had a slight gremlin at the lowest volume levels.

@thriftyaudio Congrats on the new preamp. I am curious if you occasionally miss the LA4? Are you getting the same clarity from the LTA preamp as the LA4?

I am debating whether to go with the sure thing, the LA4 or take a chance on the 2x more expensive Raven Revelation tube preamp. I love the clarity of the LA4 but having some variation in the preamps in-house is not bad if they meet my base requirement of clarity. I have a Benchmark HPA4 preamp which is not going anywhere.

I sold my Holo Serene preamp a few days ago and I am looking for a preamp to replace it. I have a Schitt Mjolnir v3 desktop headphone amp / preamp to tie me over.

@thriftyaudio Thanks for the feedback on the LA4 vs LTA. I think I will get a tube preamp near the end of this year. One where a home trial is provided. I wanted to ask you my prior question so as not to waste anyone’s time.

With regards to the network switches. I am a bit of a heretic on this site when it comes to digital streaming. I am of the opinion that whatever is upstream of my fibre optic MOAT does not matter.

I wrote a post on the DACs section of this site regarding the 3 network switches I use to include fibre just before my 3 DACs. You should read a few of the discussion points before my comment to get some context.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2591024 (this link does not bring the correct post to focus)

The posts in question are on page 8 with a start date of 02-23-2025 at 09:20am