2. amps-preamps
  3. 189541-175138

Preamp for Bryston 4b3 & Tannoy Cheviots

I recently upgraded my amplifier from a Parasound A23+ to a Bryston 4B3 and upgraded my speaker cables to my Tannoy Cheviots to good effect. Before this upgrade, the other upgrade I’d been considering was to upgrade my Parasound Holo P6 preamp. Now that I have done the amp upgrade, I am starting to wonder what paired with the Bryston might make an additional increase in sound quality. I listen to a wide variety of rock music, a lot of roots music, Jazz and singer songwriters. I see a lot of music live, and having real instruments sound as real as possible and breadth and three dimensionality of soundstage are the goals I would like to maximize. I primarily stream music and have a separate DAC and digital reclocker so I am primarily looking for a pre where I am not paying for an on board DAC. A phonostage is also of no current value to me.  Though I have 1000 LPs in the garage, I haven’t had a turntable in years, and am reluctant to add an analog element to my system whose quality would be proportional to the other elements of my system. I have a large number of cds, but rarely play them. Similarly, I have no use for a bunch of home theater features and connections as my system is only for music.

I note the relatively new Bryston BP-19 is analog only and I assume would be a good mate to their amp. However, I haven’t found any in-depth reviews of it. I was also pondering the Primaluna Evo 300 or 400, but one of my dealers has been cautioning me against the long term expense and hassle of tubes. I’m thinking I might be able to spend around $6000 if it made a significant improvement in sound quality.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

The details of my system are as follows:

Amp: Bryston 4B3 300 w x 2

Pre:   Parasound Halo P6

Speakers: Tannoy Cheviots, Analysis Plus Black Mesh Oval 9 gauge biwired cables (21’ run)

Digital Streamer/Source: Heavily modified BlueSound NODE 130 (added Fidelity Audio clock board & LPSU)/ Innuos Phoenix USB/ Gustard X26 Pro DAC (connected by Shunyata Alpha USB cables.

All other interconnects: Synergistics Research Foundation or better

Power: Power conditioner: Synergistics Research Powercell 10 SE Mk 3 w SR Atmosphere level 3 cord; All power cords SR Foundation
 

My listening room is also known as my wife’s living room. Please no suggestions as to room

corection as I have no control over the room. The speakers are on the 14 foot wall at the front of the house, and although the living room is 16 foot deep, it flows into a dining room space where the ceiling lowers. There are also a couch and windows on the left side, and interior wall on the right (where the TV and stereo system components are).

 

lloyd1969
yyzsantabarbara
4,810 posts
 

@lloyd1969 The LA4 and HPA4 sound identical. I have owned the HPA4 2x and the LA4 once. I love the lack of sound of each one.

I did not need to get the HPA4 since I had the LA4, but I was able to do a cashless trade for my AHB2 amp.  The reason to get the HPA4 is as a supplementary headphone amp for what maybe the world's best headphone.

RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

I have decided to get the RAAL 1995 Immanis and I think the HPA4 will be a nice match for the slightly warm Immanis. The Immanis is incredible. I heard it in Ventura, CA at the USA partner, RAAL Requisite. Danny McKinney is the guy in Ventura that can demo the phones. Stereophile and TAS are both going to have reviews of the Immanis.

I mention Danny because when I went to demo the 2 phones, I took my Holo Audio Serene preamp. It measures even better than the HPA4/LA4 and it a touch warmer. Danny had a passive preamp that he had put together for a speaker that he was designing. I compared my Serene to his passive and the passive was a lot better, in the sense of hearing more into the music. 

I am thinking that the passive maybe even better than the HPA4. I told him that if he ever builds a passive preamp with multiple source inputs (XLR, RCA) then I would want to get one. 

I actually have 3 preamps and 2 systems,

  • Benchmark HPA4 with CODA #16
  • Holo Audio Serene with Magenpan LRS+
  • Schitt Mjolnir V3 with CODA #16

The Mjolnir v3 costs $1300 and is a pure Class A preamp. It is a headphone amp and a preamp. It is similar to the CODA 07x preamp. The Mjolnir does not have a remote control.

The CODA 07x preamp is another unit that may interest you since it has a tube -ish sound. I have the CODA #16 amp but liked the HPA4 and Serene over the 07x, though a lot of other people may like the 07x. I have seen the 07x on USAM for $3.2k+. I would take that over tubes since it is much easier to take care off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

jimmy2615
436 posts
 

I’ve owned the Bryston BP17 and Primaluna Evo400 preamps with Bryston 2.5B3 monos.  Assuming the BP19 is similar (house sound?) to the older model, the Bryston preamps have more immediacy and punch to the sound than the Primaluna.  If I listened to rock music I’d probably want the Bryston preamp.  The Primaluna is really nice.  It’s not lacking in detail and is a bit smoother than the solid state preamp, while offering a more 3D soundstage.  As for tubes being a burden?  It’s a very reliable preamp.  Change the tubes every 3-5 years depending on how much you use it and it will be fine.  A lot probably depends on your speakers and room, in terms of which would bring more synergy overall.  They do sound very different.  I’ve also owned the Benchmark LA4 and it is the quietest and most neutral of the three.  Some might consider it boring compared to the other two.  If you like the character of your amp and speakers as they are, it could be a great fit.  

lloyd1969 OP
32 posts
 

Thanks @jimmy2615  and @yyzsantabarbara for the very useful information. If I ever get this sorted, I’ll give you both shout outs. And Soix, the LTA was brought to my attention here before, and it sounds like an excellent device, but as my DAC and amp are both internally balanced, I was disappointed the LTA wasn’t. Of course if I end up deciding I need some “tube sound”, most tube amps are not internally balanced , so it would then be something I should try and audition.

soix
9,456 posts
 

Sorry, forgot about the balanced issue.  I’d go with the preamp that sounds best and get a dedicated headphone amp if/when the time comes. 

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