The Audiophiliac (Steve Guttenberg) had a review about the $10,000 Audio Research LS-28SE recently. He liked it better than his
Pass XP 30 reference (he still really, really likes the Pass, however). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2qMw1SahKQ&t=11s |
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Thanks guys for the responses! I'm just getting the itch to add a new preamp to replace my dearly loved Pass X1 that I will be selling after two decades. I have owned that pre amp forever and still really like it but I would like to get something to replace it that is more on par with the XP 30. I absolutely love where my main system is at today. I have been playing with audio gear for 45 years and my current system with the XP30, 33h etc will give me chills and absolutely blow me away with every semi seriously listening session. It will play at rock concert levels with the 33h's in cruise mode and play so beautifully and delicate, warm and full for the 2am ultra quiet listening sessions. The Dynaudio Consequence UE at mid to high listening levels will be a tidal wave of audio bliss and a ridicules wall of sound and late at night at low volume play and disappear like a TAD Me-1 or Dynaudio c1 on a Kondo tube amp. imho Amps: Levinson 33h, & 436, MC 275, pass xp-30, Pass X1, Sony ta-a1 Sony hap z1 hi res streamer Speakers, Dynaudio Consequence UE main speakers, Evidence Temptation,C2, C1 part time Cables Levinson Strings and CZ Gel, Dynaudio ocos speaker cables I listen to everything except rap, Dave Matthews, older Genesis, Disturbed, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Diana Krall, Shelby Lynne, Al Di meola, Pink Floyd etc Part of me is thinking KXR or 2110 I have owned enough audio gear over the last 45 years its shameful, Have never had an Ayre or Boulder product before, Plus Xmas is right around the corner :) Sorry for rambling todd |
Thanks guys for the responses! I'm just getting the itch to add a new preamp to replace my dearly loved Pass X1 that I will be selling after two decades. I have owned that pre amp forever and still really like it but I would like to get something to replace it that is more on par with the XP 30. I absolutely love where my main system is at today. I have been playing with audio gear for 45 years and my current system with the XP30, 33h etc will give me chills and absolutely blow me away with every semi seriously listening session. It will play at rock concert levels with the 33h's in cruise mode and play so beautifully and delicate, warm and full for the 2am ultra quiet listening sessions. The Dynaudio Consequence UE at mid to high listening levels will be a tidal wave of audio bliss and a ridicules wall of sound and late at night at low volume play and disappear like a TAD Me-1 or Dynaudio c1 on a Kondo tube amp. imho Amps: Levinson 33h, & 436, MC 275, pass xp-30, Pass X1, Sony ta-a1 Sony hap z1 hi res streamer Speakers, Dynaudio Consequence UE main speakers, Evidence Temptation,C2, C1 part time Cables Levinson Strings and CZ Gel, Dynaudio ocos speaker cables I listen to everything except rap, Dave Matthews, older Genesis, Disturbed, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Diana Krall, Shelby Lynne, Al Di meola, Pink Floyd etc Part of me is thinking KXR or 2110 I have owned enough audio gear over the last 45 years its shameful, Have never had an Ayre or Boulder product before, Plus Xmas is right around the corner :) Sorry for rambling todd |
Other than Dave Matthews, love your taste in music. I would add two products to your list: I am going to throw out an option because I think it was interesting and was just putting together a quote for a customer on it. Have you looked at the AVM Ovation 8.3. Completely modular design. If you want SS or Tube Output stage, it can be added. They have a variety of inputs including ones with tone controls. You choose what you want. Michael Fremer reviewed the 8.2 for Stereophile at this link: https://www.stereophile.com/content/avm-ovation-pa-82-modular-preamplifier It is obviously a recommended component but I suppose that is worth what you paid for it. The cool part about it is you only need to add what you need. I think fully loaded, it can be $35K. With Normal configuration, it is right in the price range with the rest of these. The other I would add to your list is the Soulution 725. Pretty fabulous unit. A friend has on in his system and admittedly, he is insane in what he spends (he has the Tyco streamer), he believes this was worth every nickel he paid for it. |
I love the XP30 its not going anywhere! I just enjoy swapping gear in and out of my main system. I have been living with the XP30 and X1 for a long time. I have not been paying attention to the latest preamp offerings. I love the Pass XP30, Levinson 33h running this through Dynaudio Consequence UE is stunning in everyway! Just looking for a new linstage, something different other than the Pass. I am defiantly going to take Benchmark up on their offering of an in house trial for 30 days. I absolutely love their business model. Unlike Levinson, great products with zero customer service. That company had a huge dedicated customer base and killed it. Mind blowing to me how they have run some d bags of these big corporations run the company into the ground. Hard working passionate engineers come up with amazing products and d bags killed the company off with zero customer support and vision after you spend almost 100k on their products! kudos Harmon International!! |
