2. amps-preamps
  3. 1254429799

Preamp w/ xlrs in the ht-bypass loop

Hello, I'm looking for a two channel preamplifier with a pair of balanced inputs that are included in the home theater bypass loop. I've done a little bit of research and there isn't that many that do this or they're a little over my budget. Mark Levinson has a few but I'd be looking at about $4000 used which is a little more than I was looking to spend and I'd rather buy new anyway. The one that would fit the bill perfectly is the Ayre K-5xe. However, I read the manual and I would need to pull the plug every time to engage the bypass. And the way my rack is set up, that's apples to apples as it would be the same, if I went back there to switch the cables myself. Anyway, if some of you guys could lists some models to check out, I'd appreciate it. The features that I need are simple, with the first three being mandatory, and I'll list them below.

1) Two balanced inputs included in the ht bypass loop- as mentioned above.

2) Has to be fully balanced- I'm not looking to sacrifice anything for the convenience of home theater bypass.

3) Has to be SS- I'm not running tube gear and I do not want to mix and match. I realize this limits the field.

4) I'd like to spend $3000, hopefully less- I'd like to buy new but I'm open to used

5) Less is more- I'm only running a CD player and the amplifiers for my fronts. So that's one pair of balanced outputs and two pairs of balanced inputs. I'll take another set of balanced inputs for a computer DAC, down the road, but it's not a priority. Staying with "less is more," I'd really prefer it to be completely analog. I'm trying to avoid anything that may introduce noise; even those big florescent displays are a concern.

6) Remote- a remote would be nice but not a must

I'm willing to audition anything that includes the first three features on this list; the rest is a bonus. I appreciate the help.
bostongeorge34
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
HT bypass is not something I actively been searching, but if my memory is not playing tricks on me, then the Rowland Capri meets your criteria. Actually I think it meets all of your criteria, including the less is more.

Haven't heard it, though, but have seen very good comments around here.

My two cents. I hope it helps.
larryski2
37 posts
 
George

Lewinskih01 is correct about the Capri, and it is one that I also considered, along with a couple of ARC pre-amps. I chose the Ayre because:

1. I wanted sold state, as I didn't want to be bothered by the following that I associated with tubes:
a. Warm up time.
b. Tube replacements over extended times.
c. Heat - it gets hot enough in Dallas.
2. An excellent support group from both Ayre and my local Ayre dealer.
3. I believe that Ayre offers an excellent full spectrum line of quality equiipment, and that will allow me to ultimatey fill my rack with an entire Ayre lineup. The exception being a video processor.
4. Most importantly, I just liked the Ayre better with my speakers than any of the others that I looked at.

No disclosure necessary, I'm not associated with Ayre in any way.

Good luck
bostongeorge34 OP
7 posts
 
Larry, you pretty much echo my reasons for preferring a solid state preamp. Well, that and I'm hoping for good synergy from the front end on down. I'm glad to hear that the Ayre worked best with your speakers than the rest.

Hello Lewinskih01, I fully admit that I had ruled out the Capri, at first, because I thought the design would be based off their Class D ICEpowered amplifiers. Then I read a lot of reviews, which are all glowing, and saw that was not the case. Unfortunately, I would need to run it unbalanced for HT Bypass so I am looking elsewhere, for now.
dave_newman
20 posts
 
I have the Pass X0.2 and it fits the bill. Reno HiFi sells used units with warranty for around $3,000. Both fully balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs for each channel. I used balanced out to my Gallo Ref 3.1 and the unbalanced out to a second amp driving the Gallos second sub voice coil. This was an Absolute Sound top choice.
bostongeorge34 OP
7 posts
 
Hello Dave, wow...I could own that mountain for only 3K? The power supply is separated and two chassis for left and right outputs/inputs. Yeah, I'm interested. And that would be a perfect match for my amps. I'm surprised I had not seen the X0.2 because I did look at the X1 and the X2.5. I was also interested in the new XP-10 but it's a little out of my price range. I need read up on what changes or upgrades, if any, they made on the XP-10 and XP-20, coming from the previous models. If you could tell me about your experience with the X0.2, I'd appreciate it. Thanks
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