2. amps-preamps
  3. 1410104202

Which preamp? Opinions? Suggestions?

Hello Everyone,
I'm just getting back into audio after many years away. I managed to buy a mint set of Infinity IRS Betas. I will be driving the mid/high towers with a pair of VTL 450 monoblocks and the woofer columns with a Phase Linear 400. I have not chosen a preamplifier yet. I have been looking at CJ, Audio Research and McIntosh. I would probably buy something pre ownded on this site. Any thoughts or suggestions out there? I know everone has their own taste in what sounds best but I'd like to hear what everyone has to say.
Thanks.
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czarivey
5,946 posts
 
agree with Don_c55 100%.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
I don't think the Infinity system allows a single amp to run full range. Isn't there a servo feedback system between the woofer cabinet and the amp driving it through the crossover?

That system may have been eliminated by that time, but at any rate I'm pretty sure this system needs a separate woofer amp.

c421c's avatar
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c421c OP
5 posts
 
Yes, the system needs to be bi-amped.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
C421C, from what I've Googled the Phase Linear 400 has good performance to be used as a bass amp. Wattage, current, and damping factor.
Sure there are better today, but what you've got is ok for bass, mids and highs are most probably rubbish.
Just use it as I've outlined above and all your up for is the $49 for the Schiit passive preamp, I'm sure you'll be happy.
Then later on get a better amp for the bass, maybe a class d, as that's all their good for as well.

Cheers George
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
The traditional favorites driving IRS-Beta's were big Threshold or Krell Class A amps driving the bass columns, with ARC tubes driving the midrange/tweeter panels. In that setup, I would go for an ARC tube preamp. In your situation, for synergy I would go for either a VTL TL7.5 Series 3 (if you can afford it) or TL6.5 Series II. Apparently the TL7.5 sounds more like a pure tube linestage, but with the desirable qualities of a good hybrid linestage such as low noise, linearity etc.
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