2. amps-preamps
  3. 178304-135060

Seeking Amp / Preamp Upgrades

hifi63nc
1 posts
 
 
 

Hi All, first time poster but long time Audio guy.  After about a 15 year hiatus from being a responsible family guy ... I am making my come back to HiFi and putting together a system in what I would call the moderate price zone.  I am seeking some guidance/suggestions and any general opinions given the current environment on acquiring an AMP / Preamp upgrade.  In the past, I drove Vandersteen 2CIs with Aragon Palladium MKII Mono's and used an ARC LS12 (SS).  Current sources: ClearAudio Performance DC with ClearAudio Tracer Tonearm & Charima MM; Parasound Halo JC3 Jr. Phono stage; Esoteric K-05Xs SACD/CD/DAC; Innuos ZENith MK3 Streamer/Server.  Sonus Faber Sonetto V speakers.

Genre's are Classic Rock, Blues, some unplugged acoustic easy listening and a small dose of Jazz.

Currently using older/borrowed equipment:  Classe Audio CP60 Pre & a Rotel RB981 200wpc amp, sound is well, ok. Hence my upgrade quest.  I prefer a big Sound stage with precision and some warmth, have never been a Tube player, but will consider introducing them in a manageable way.

I am fine buying new or used and beyond suggestions, I also have a line on either an ARC LS17SE MKII (Tube) or a PS Audio BHK Signature (Hybrid) both used.  Any thoughts or views on either of them would be appreciated.  Sorry for the long and winding road here but Finally ... AMP selection- I am struggling in the current landscape of choices, so guidance on pairing with a Preamp & placing one into the system I have reassembled here would be most helpful.   Many thanks, hifi63nc.

hifi63nc

Showing 1 response by tjag

tjag
131 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara thank you very much for sharing your experiences.

I like your approach to preamps, that they should be neutral and transparent. When I had a basic DAC I used a tube preamp to give a holographic warm effect. Then I bought a Musician Aquarius DAC and it sounds wonderful direct through the amp. No need to color the sound or add any effects to it.

I have a question about the Benchmark LA4/HPA4 preamps. Does the preamp enhance anything in the sound stage in your system like 3D, clarity, separation ..etc? Or is it just a wire with a volume knob? In other words if the Benchmark AHB2 had a volume knob would you still use the LA4 preamp?

I read here: "Removing the LA4 from the signal path produced a noticeable difference in the sound, and not for the better."

You wrote here : "I am talking with someone who is auditioning a LA4 with a $10K mostly neutral DAC. He said that the LA4 and the DAC were a great combo but the DAC direct to amp was slightly better."

A question about the Peachtree Nova please :)

You wrote here: "I tried an all-Benchmark system with the LS50, a LA4 preamp, DAC3B, and AHB2 amp ($6500 total and small form factor). This was so much better than the Nova 150."

I have an older Nova and as a power amplifier (ditch the DAC) it wiped the floor with my Atoll IN200. The bass was so much better that it was like listening to a different song. Does the AHB2 do a similarly good job with Bass as the Nova in your experience?

 

 

 

 

 

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