2. amps-preamps
  3. 191802-4635

Solid State Preamp to replace tube unit

I currently own a CJ tube preamp. Ive always owned tube preamps and I would like to get my first solid state preamp.I am fed up with buying expensive hard to find tubes that last 3 months or new production tubes with that not so great sound. I pine for consistency. I probably wont sell my CJ I'll just keep it. My power amps are NAD M23 for the summer and CJ Premiere 12's for the winter.

Since I dont dabble in the solid state world I am not sure what to get. I figure since this is my first SS unit 4-5k preowned??. Some brands I have considered CODA< Pass, AYRE, Classe, Bel Canto, Krell etc. Note: I have tried the Parasound and Benchmark but they didnt do it for me. I dont like anayltical sterile sound. If it is a touch warm/colored that is probably good as I am coming from a very warm CJ tube unit.

Must haves are a remote with balance control. Multiple outputs (XLR and RCA). I have an outboard phono pre. Thank you for reading and for your suggestions.

jimbones

Showing 1 response by joshua43214

joshua43214
60 posts
 

I struggled with this for about 3 years.

I needed a preamp with balanced out to go between my Manley Snapper monoblocks and my Holo May KTE DAC.

Tried quite a few.

 

In the end I wound up with a Levinson 523.
Probably outside your budget even used, but it was also outside my budget when I started looking.

It meets your criteria including balance control on the remote, and it is a seriously fantastic piece of gear (better be for the price).

I got mine used at about 1/2 retail.

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