Good preamp for Levinson 23 w/Gershman X1/SW1

See if you can find a ML 26 preamp used. It should cost around $1500 +/_ including the power supply. (The 26S is better, but will cost almost twice as much) An ARC line stage is OK but not as good a match to the 23. BTW, although I totally agree with using balanced ICs between the preamp and the amp, the 23 will accept RCA's using the appropriate RCA/camac adapters at the amp inputs -- about $50/pair.

I used the LS-2 with my No. 23 (and the No. 27 before that). It worked fine. However, to be honest, my Ayre K-1XE is much better. More refined, better frequency extension, imaging and NO tube rushing. (However, the Ayre SHOULD be much better given the difference in price.)

I agree with Nsgarch that you should save up a bit and give the ML 26 a shot.

Or perhaps the Ayre K5X preamp, although I have not personally heard that model. (This is based purely on my experience with the K-1XE, so take that with however many grains of salt you like!) There is a K-5X for sale via an Audiogon Auction right now. It is currentely @ $550, and should go for around $1000-1,500, my guess being $1,200. You could buy it and give it a shot, and if it does not work out, sell it and be out very little money. And no, I have no affiliation with the seller of said K-5X.)

Good Luck in your search!

The 26 is a nice preamp, and you might also consider the
ML-1. It's an older Levinson preamp but very smooth,
tight tuneful bass, clean highend. It occasionally
is available for ~$1000. I've owned both and they are
excellent.

Who: I ran across an ML-28 on Ebay. It's sort of a stripped down 26 (no phonostage or tape loop) but similar vintage w/ balanced and SE outputs. Worth up to $1200 I'd say.

a FS Presence MKI will do the job nicely, that is if you can find one...they run between 1k-1500. It bigger brother the MKII goes for $2500+. I own the X-1s and the SW-1s as well and have been driving them with the FS preamps since a couple of years back. My latest FS preamp is the Paramount Deluxe MKII Hot Rod with just one input and separate power supplies.

PS: What sort of amp do you run the Gershmans with?