I have had similar experience as you regarding speakers. Magnepan Tympani 1D, Thiel CS 3.6, Dunlavy SC IV, etc etc For the last couple of years I have been focusing on a Pair of Altec A7 that have similar attributes as your Lucera (which are in my wishlist). I have driven them with high power SS, Class D, flea watt Decware tube amp, 300B and now First Watt SIT4. I just added a Pass Labs XP20 preamp and I am loving it. It looks like the XP22 is in your budget. That is what I would do in your situation.
What next for a Volti Lucera based system
Hi All,
I have about 150 hours on a new pair of Volti Lucera speakers
This is a continuation of my transition to a lower power stereo system. My journey has been Magnepan 1.2, Magnepan 3.6, Thiel CS3.6, Theil CS5i, Tyler Acoustics MM5X, Zu Soul Six, Klipsch Forte iv; along with complementary powered amps for the various speakers
My current Setup is as follows:
PS Audio PWT
Mojo Mystique EVO B4B DAC
Don Sachs DS2 Preamp
Quicksilver Horn Monos, First Watt F6, First Watt F7, Don Sachs Kootenay 120
Volti Luceras
I honestly liked the Klipsch Forte iv's and thought the First Watt F7 tamed most of the treble edge. The Volti Luceras are a big step up in refinement, bass, clarity, and soundstage. Having said that, the Luceras don't have quite the same "you are live presence" of the Fort iv's. I seem to prefer the First Watt F6 and Quicksilver Horn Monos best with the Luceras.
I am thinking that it might be time to upgrade my preamp. I am pursuing better soundstage meaning more depth and width outside of the speakers. I also am looking to maximize musicality and emotion. I am pretty sure that I value accuracy over warmth. My current setup provides sweetness if it is on the recording.
As I dig into reviews and blogs I am convincing myself to to stick with a tube preamp even though a Pass pre with separate power supply seems interesting. I am happy with single ended. No long cable runs.
I have heard Conrad Johnson preamps most notably a 17LS2, and a couple a of lower end Audio Research preamps over the years.
My most current research seems to be leading me to consider the following gear tied to a roughly $7,000 budget:
VAC (used Renaissance mk5)
ARC (used Ref 5, or a stretch to a Ref 6)
LTA (new Micro ZOTL level 3)
Modwright (used LS36.5)
BAT (used ?)
Please let me what you think and please share your share your reasoning as I am trying to learn about more expensive preamps.
thanks,
Dsper