Have tried the following preamp configurations with my Wilson Alexia 2s, Linn Selekt DSM with Katalyst DAC, and Pass Labs X600.8 monos:
1) VTL 6.5 Signature II [tube-SS hybrid] ($18K)
2) McIntosh C2700 [tube] ($8K)
3) Audio Research Reference 6SE [tube] ($17K)
4) NO PREAMP - direct to amp
The Audio Research Ref 6SE for this particular set up was the winner, with all options having unique characteristics that were quite good unto themselves.
But we aim for a natural, warmer sound that encourages long listening sessions and deals well with a broad and eclectic spectrum of musical genres. This translates into us favoring a tube preamp since our amps are solid state.
The direct connect from the Linn Selekt DSM to the amps sounded lethargic just enough that after a few songs we were done listening. Sure, the highs were crystal clear and the bass had punch. But there was inferior cohesiveness between the highs-mids-lows, and the highs were a bit tinny and borderline fatiguing while the bass was not as tight in relation to the rest of the musical frequencies—compared to the tube-based Ref 6SE.
Throwing the Ref 6SE back into the line-up, the musicality returned and we listened for hours, sampling every type of music. We never returned to the direct DSM-to-amp config.
Since we have Pass Labs amps, we are getting in a demo of the XP-32 preamp, which we have heard good and not so good about. But we are checking out the synergy that may arise from both pieces (meaning the preamp and amp, that is, as the XP-32 is a 3 chassis set up and the monos are, well, a 2 piece deal) being from the same manufacturer.
My point: YOU have to listen for yourself. Never let anyone tell you what you will find best. It is YOUR room, YOUR system, YOUR ears and YOUR music. All the electrical theory and bits and bytes mean nothing if you hate it. This is art more than science. You are a living soul, not a robot.
1) VTL 6.5 Signature II [tube-SS hybrid] ($18K)
2) McIntosh C2700 [tube] ($8K)
3) Audio Research Reference 6SE [tube] ($17K)
4) NO PREAMP - direct to amp
The Audio Research Ref 6SE for this particular set up was the winner, with all options having unique characteristics that were quite good unto themselves.
But we aim for a natural, warmer sound that encourages long listening sessions and deals well with a broad and eclectic spectrum of musical genres. This translates into us favoring a tube preamp since our amps are solid state.
The direct connect from the Linn Selekt DSM to the amps sounded lethargic just enough that after a few songs we were done listening. Sure, the highs were crystal clear and the bass had punch. But there was inferior cohesiveness between the highs-mids-lows, and the highs were a bit tinny and borderline fatiguing while the bass was not as tight in relation to the rest of the musical frequencies—compared to the tube-based Ref 6SE.
Throwing the Ref 6SE back into the line-up, the musicality returned and we listened for hours, sampling every type of music. We never returned to the direct DSM-to-amp config.
Since we have Pass Labs amps, we are getting in a demo of the XP-32 preamp, which we have heard good and not so good about. But we are checking out the synergy that may arise from both pieces (meaning the preamp and amp, that is, as the XP-32 is a 3 chassis set up and the monos are, well, a 2 piece deal) being from the same manufacturer.
My point: YOU have to listen for yourself. Never let anyone tell you what you will find best. It is YOUR room, YOUR system, YOUR ears and YOUR music. All the electrical theory and bits and bytes mean nothing if you hate it. This is art more than science. You are a living soul, not a robot.