Sincere big thanks to everyone who took the time out to enlighten me on this one!
Need preamp suggestion
My Krell home theatre pre developed static noise and the repair bill is expensive, so I want to get a new one that sounds at least as good. I am listening to the system with an inexpensive Adcom pre, and the Krell sounds considerably better in many ways - open, dynamic, bigger and more realistic.
Are there pre amps that are a good match for Krell Power amp, that sound as good or better, for a good affordable price?
I also have McIntosh separates and enjoy the sound, but the Krell combo sounds more modern, liquid, and transparent.
I am looking for those qualities.
Big thanks for your words of experience in advance...
Are there pre amps that are a good match for Krell Power amp, that sound as good or better, for a good affordable price?
I also have McIntosh separates and enjoy the sound, but the Krell combo sounds more modern, liquid, and transparent.
I am looking for those qualities.
Big thanks for your words of experience in advance...
35 responses Add your response
I have tried many of the pre's listed above, as well as Aesthetics Calypso. I settled on a used Modwright LS100 tube pre. Two 6SN7's and tube rectifed as well. Way under the radar and a top performer. Blew away most everything else. Under $2K used a little more if the have the tune phono stage. Great piece of gear. |
PS Audio BHK Pre......however, I purchased mine at a huge discount before PSA went direct. The BHK is a Stereophile Class A unit. If I were actually going to pay $6K for a preamp (with no discount on the BHK), I may have looked elsewhere since I would compare it to other $6k pres. At the time I was looking to keep my Pre amp purchase under $4k and the BHK was much better than the Rogue RP-5 I had earlier. |
Put the Doge 8 on your radar. It’s an exceptional performer that comes in under your budget. FWIW, Arthur Salvatore rates them quite highly (Class B). Be forewarned that it is very sensitive to your choice of tubes. When I had mine, I ran Siemens ECC801S for the linestage and Mazda 12AX7 for the phonostage. I replaced it with a Don Sachs linestage which is double your budget. |
Hello, My closest Hifi store in the Chicagoland area has an older equivalent to the current Electrocompaniet ec4.8. I do not know the model. I think it is under $1400. I would take it for myself but it does not have HT pass through. It’s full balanced. With the box, remote, and the manual. It is beautiful to look at. Here is the link to my local store. https://holmaudio.com/ They are also a Nordost and Straightwire dealer in case you want to upgrade your power cord or interconnects. |
I have the Benchmark HPA4 (same as LA4) preamp and it is my favorite component in my all Benchmark stack. I think it is the reason that more expensive gear that I bought to beat it came up short and was sold or relegated to secondary use. It does have an Achilles heel with my RAAL SR1a phones so that is why the warmer CODA 07x is joining the party. Both pre’s are staying. |
Why don’t you mention your budget ,very important. Best Buy for sure is the Schiit audio Freya vacuum tube preampunder $1k. Just upgrade the tubes and a good power cord great sound . if you have $5500retail $6500 the Coda 07x is a Great preamp ,from the many I have heard nothing under $10:k can Touch it ,the best sonics of both solid state and tubes . |
