Who makes great active preamps ? Tube or solid state or hybrid.

It appears, it is not Pass, Rowland, even Lamm etc. Who then ?
I heard about Ypsilon, though some say it is a little bright and forward sounding.

inna03-04-2019 7:56am

clyde1f Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6 posts 03-05-2019 at 12:27am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete What about McIntosh?...no Mac fans out there?
bigkidz Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,381 posts 03-05-2019 at 01:04am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Depends on the sound you are looking for. Many mentioned above are very good preamps. I prefer point-to-point wiring and custom parts that most of the above do not offer. Then there is tube types such as 12AX7, 6DJ8, 6SN7 and direct heated triode designs. Each do something completely different. What price range are you thinking about? Happy Listening.
bagadonutz Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3 posts 03-05-2019 at 01:30am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Below $1500 you can't do better than a tube pre-amp from Frank Van Alstine. Still designing and building great stuff in Minnesota USA.
rodge827 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 619 posts 03-05-2019 at 01:31am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Audio Note and Radu Tarta!
gelfdaddy Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 20 posts 03-05-2019 at 01:59am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I’m very happy with my McIntosh C2600 tube preamp. It offers that well-known McIntosh warmth, built-in DAC and those alluring blue meters. Also, it should maintain it’s value as good if not better than any other brand.