Pre and Amp Suggestions


Given the way these things go, I’m almost afraid to ask this question but here goes: I’m finally at a place where my front-end and speakers are at “destination” level-at least for me....for now.  My question is where and what to upgrade between these two extremes. The speakers in question are Revel Studio 2s which I love, and the front-end dac/streamer is the Lumin T1 ruining Roon. The Lumin feeds into an analogue bypass section (no digital conversion) of an Anthem AVM60 going in turn to two 200 watt mono channels of a Sherbourn 7300. In trying to answer my question, I would appreciate keeping to the following parameters:

-no suggestions of other speakers or front end gear, I’m in a good place where I am right now.
-no suggestions of power conditioners, cables etc. Let’s just stick to the gear.

Just looking for pre and amp recommendations (or really good SS integrated amps). The sound right now is quite neutral, but perhaps a little lean but very revealing. I’m not looking to drastically alter the sound or play louder, just looking for more of the “good stuff”, resolution, staging etc. Might consider a tube pre or hybrid but really have no interest in an all tube power amp or massive class A space heater anymore. Ok let the games begin!
spinaker01

Showing 3 responses by soix

Given what you're looking for I'd get the Allnic L3000 mkII tubed preamp and one of the PBN amps available here now (mini Olympia or EBSA1), take my ball and go home.  PBN amps are the clearest and cleanest sounding amps I've ever heard, and they throw a huge, layered 3D soundstage that betters any SS amp I've heard by a good margin.  Pair that with arguably one of the best tube preamps on the market that could sweeten the amps with a little of that tube magic and it's hard to see not being thrilled with the result (assuming the output impedance of the Allnic plays well with the PBN amps, which I didn't check).  Best of luck in your search. 

Ralph, I was pretty shocked a while back when I read one of your posts that asserted that if components were properly designed to the balanced standard there would be no difference between interconnects.  Since then I've wanted to ask the obvious question -- why don't all manufacturers who produce preamps with fully balanced designs adhere to the standard?  Is there a downside or trade offs to doing so?  I've been scratching my head over this one for a while since it doesn't seem like it costs much more to adhere to the standard, especially if you're going to the trouble and expense of building a fully balanced unit from input to output.  What gives???
Wow. Just wow. That was very interesting and informative Ralph. Thank you! I don’t mean to pump your stock here, but given what you said and my limited knowledge of electronics, there seems to be little or no downside to employing a Circlotron-type design -- except that other manufacturers would have to pay you to use it. Um, am I missing something here? (Obviously there are a lot of other circuit design and parts quality stuff that will have a huge impact on ultimate performance as well). Seems like kind of the advantages of your OTL amp designs but maybe without the heat and tube expense given the small amount of gain needed in a preamp? Or is that just a gross oversimplification or misrepresentation? Thanks again for your super helpful explanation!