Tube pre w/single inputs vs. SS pre with balanced?


Here's a tough one. Any informed advice would be very very welcome.

I recently acquired a Benchmark DAC which has the option of balanced outs. I also recently got an awesome deal on a Kora Eclipse which is a French tube preamp, but it does not have balanced inputs.

I am considering trading the Kora for a Classe CP-50 which does have balanced inputs but is Solid State not tubed.

Because I have no idea what to expect, I'm not sure if I should stick with the Kora and sacrifice a little on the ouput from my Benchmark or get the Classe and make optimum use of the Benchmark balanced outs?

Both the Kora Eclipse and the Classe CP-50 have excellent reviews and supposedly the Classe has a "warm" presence sort of like tubes...but all I know is that I have owned Denon, Classe (CP-35), McIntosh and Krell preamps and none of them gave me anything like the glorious output from my Kora (my first experience with tubes...)

FYI: my amp is a Sunfire Signature...

Any opinions out there?

AudiogoNers Rule!

Thanks a Mil...
luynes

Showing 1 response by mcfarland

I believe that XLR to RCA adaptors are available. That my solve your problem at least temporarily.