I had been using a VAC Renaissance II for many years with my Pass Labs X250.5, it was a very pleasing combination. Recently got the upgrade bug, VAC is one of the few high end manufacturers here in Florida and I really wanted to stick with them but each step up in their lineup is another 10 grand (new). So I'd read about Backert Labs on these forums. When a Backert Rhythm 1.3 came on the used market I jumped on it. I sent it off to Backert to upgrade it with the new circuits from the 1.4. I also installed some Amperex Bugle Boys. It has surpassed my expectations. Bass goes deeper, twangs sound twangier, soundstage is wider, placement of individual instruments is more precise. I had multiple conversations with Andy of Backert labs as I initially had an annoying and very loud hum when trying to use it in cinema bypass mode. Finally with Andy's help it was found that I needed to run the pre and my pre/pro from the same outlet and no hum, who knew? I don't need a phono section so can't advise about that issue. Both VAC and Backert are great sounding and pair with my solid state, Backert is better value IMHO.
Tube preamp match with Solid Stare amp
I'm looking for recommendations for a balanced TUBE pre amplifier..preferably one that also has a phono input.. with a low output impedance. I'm currently using an Coda No.8..which was designed with balanced in mind.. but it has a pretty low balanced input impedance of just 10k ohms. Price.. I wouldn't like to spend more than 6k.
Thank you all :)