which balanced preamp to recomend?

Which balanced preamp(active or passive, valve or solid state) can you recommend to replace First Sound Presence Deluxe mkII?---up to $3000 new or used please. Am looking to retain as much of the detail, dynamics, neutrality and liquidity of the FSP pre(which is active, valve and linestage only). Reason being to run a full balanced system from cdp to amps.

Thanks for any ideas you may have.

aer09-21-2005 1:50pm

10 responses Add your response

cytocycle Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,043 posts 09-22-2005 at 01:00pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Rowland Synergy IIi (Fully balanced and liquid smooth) or the newer Rowland Preamp (older one has the external power supply) * I have one for sale as I'm upgrading to a DAC with Volumn control **
jmcgrogan2 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,346 posts 09-22-2005 at 10:35am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Aer, in your price range I would recommend either the BAT VK-31SE or the Sonic Frontiers Line 3 (SE). The SF being slightly more neutral, the BAT being slightly more dynamic. John
mikesinger Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 572 posts 09-22-2005 at 04:56am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete bat...take your pick... vk30, vk30se, vk50, vk31se... the question is which tube do you want to run... nice build quality, xcellent sonics, great service, and upgradeable...
artg Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 362 posts 09-22-2005 at 03:33am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete i sit corrected, the Herron is only SE. Anyway, it's still a great preamp. Back to your question. OK, how about the Ayre K-1x, which used is close to your target price, and it has a nifty remote!
drrdiamond Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 671 posts 09-22-2005 at 12:07am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Used Krell KRC-HR.
cmo Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 471 posts 09-21-2005 at 10:14pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete ARC LS25II
asonicyouth Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 120 posts 09-21-2005 at 09:50pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete the sonic frontiers line 3 is what gets my highest recomendation. and under your budget to boot!
jond Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,775 posts 09-21-2005 at 08:52pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Artg, I have a Herron VTSP1a and it's completely single ended. Perhaps his new preamps have XLR connectors but not the original model.
bpwalsh Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,201 posts 09-21-2005 at 08:26pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Herron preamps are single ended only. A used Atma-Sphere MP-3 probably could be found within your price range and is fully balanced. Brian
artg Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 362 posts 09-21-2005 at 03:57pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete people love the Herron preamps, which i think are balanced and in your price range.

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