2. amps-preamps
  3. 181962-72674

Which Line Level, Balanced Preamplifier?

I am running Monitor Audio Gold 100 5G speakers and am still deciding on what amplifier I am going to use. I came from a low wattage system when I bought these speakers, and they're quite demanding, so I am looking at something powerful. Almost everything is in the running, but I know I want it to do its job and not have too much character, so I'm considering Benchmark, Parasound, Ayre, Denafrips, etc... This is a different discussion though.

I want to shift my focus to preamps because it might help me dial in my amp choice along the way. I am looking for a fun sound. Not warmth, necessarily, but an engaging, deep and wide soundstage. Definitely not clinical or dry. I have been reading and have been sold on all of these:

-Ayre K-5Xe-mp

-Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE

-Denafrips Athena

-Parasound JC2

-Benchmark HPA4 or LA4

-PS Audio *preamp coming this year* (I'd have to wait for this one, but I'm excited about it)

I would love to hear a strong, educated opinion before I spend the money. Open to other models as well. Tried to find an older model PASS, but people don't really universally love them and I've read they can be a little less engaging in the wrong system. 

Thanks in advance!

 

128x128nickrobotron

Showing 1 response by rlovendale

rlovendale
91 posts
 

When you say you want a deep, wide soundstage that immediately makes me think of tubes. I don’t have experience with tube preamp separates, so would defer to others that have written about them.

If you want a fully balanced solid-state preamp that has some characteristics of tubes, you could add the Coda 07x FET preamplifier to your list. It does not have a sterile, clinical sound like many solid state amplifiers. I’ve enjoyed mine for the couple years I’ve used it, but have not directly compared it to other preamps in my system.

More to discover