Here is what my system is curently composed: YBA 1 preamp YBA 2HCDT amp Meridian 508.24 cd player JMLAB mini-utopia speaker REL strata III sub With Acoustic zen hologram and Silver ref cable.
My question is the folowing: As the upgrade bug is biting me I want to change my amp and preamp combo but without add money ( or only a little) Right now my preamp/amp can be sold for about 2000$ each so it make a total of 4000$. I am looking for your sujestion of a amp and preamp combo that will take the most out of my mini-utopia. I tought of a Mark levinson amp preamp combo but the weight of the amp (between 100and 125 lbs) disapoint me because I don't have alot of space. I look foward to any or your advice for preamp amp combo with a price tag for the combo not more than 4000$. It can be a tube preamp or solid state preamp, but only Solid state ampifier.
I agree that YBA gear matches beautifully with JM Lab Mini-Utopias. Both are ultra-clean and natural. It's the combo I've come to. But one of the biggest improvements I've ever made was to go from the YBA 2HCDT amp to the YBA 1 high current amp and to get the large seperate power supply for the YBA 1 preamp. The difference makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Buy used and the upgrade won't cost too much.
I agree with the upgrade to the yba-1 high current amp. You will get a big improvement in enjoyment as it only possible to get with a higher current more refined amplifier. If you would like to sell the yba pre amp I would most likely be interested. Let me know.
The Mini Utopias also really sing with the Rogue 120 monoblocks. By nature, I find the minies very articulate, but a bit too analytical. With the 120's you don't lose the resolution and you do get very good bass, but they take the "mechanical" edge off the minies. It's a solid state lover's tube amp.
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