Preamp upgrade

I am wondering if the preamp upgrade for thousands more will provide any real marginal gain.

@jelliott78 The short and long answers both involve 'yes'.

Since your amps support balanced line, I would consider a balanced line preamp so as to get the most out of the cables and the amps. The balanced line system has standards in place that have been there for decades. Not all balanced preamps in high end audio support the standards. The standards are useful as they prevent coloration from interconnect cables and also prevent ground loops.

The main standard is known as AES48. You can ask the manufacturer of a potential preamp if its supported. The second aspect is the ability to drive a lower impedance such as 600 Ohms. This is harder for a tube preamp but they do exist. If you get a preamp that supports both aspects of balanced line operation you won't have to worry about what cable sounds the best ever again; to my thinking that's a real benefit!

Good Luck on the quest!

“

The exponential increase in price of let's say a Ref 6SE over your LS7 will not give an exponential increase of quality reproduction. 

Most of us in this hobby spend a LOT more money than one could justify chasing nuance and the thrill of a high quality new component. ” 

thanks for this yesiam. I suspect that while it will

sound good none of the equipment will sound marginally better for the cost. 

Maybe I need to just take the is-7 to a shop and AB compare. That is likely the most definitive test. But love all the input and passion  this is an awesome hobby and but we all know the dollars that go into it. I’ve always done my best to find the the line of diminishing returns. 

@chenry good advise for sure 

@vthokie83 

Great advice and I completely agree with you.  I have the Supratek Grange Signature preamp with Phono stage that includes the LCR circuit and Lundahl inductors and it is by far the best full function preamp I’ve owned.  I’ve had all tubed preamps with SS amps over the years from ARC, BAT, and Coincident but the Grange Signature is superior.  I’d have to spend at least 2X to better it.  The phono section is worth the price alone!