Which would you choose?


Hello all. I am putting together a second system based upon vintage components. These include a Sony SCD-1 CD/SACD player, a Threshold 3.9/SE power amplifier, and a pair of Alon Phalanx loudspeakers. All cabling is generic, being a combination of Beldin and Canare.

I have narrowed my preamp choices to the following: a Krell KRC-HR or a Pass Labs X-02.

Thus my question, which would you choose?

Many Thanks!
tube_meister

Showing 1 response by zd542

I wouldn't go with a vintage preamp. I had the Krell in my system for a while and I've owned the Pass and neither was all that great when they were current, let alone what you can get for a more modern preamp used. You can make a case for a vintage amp, especially tube, but I was never impressed with vintage preamps.

If you absolutely must go with a vintage SS preamp, I think Rowland and Levinson preamps from that era are much better.