2. amps-preamps
  3. 1149468656

YBA 2 Alpha preamp and general preamp questions

I live in the middle of nowhere and have very limited options to actually listen to hi-end audio equipment, especially used.

1. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and I'm torn between going with a pre-owned high quality solid state preamp with a great phono section, and an Audible Illusions M3A (means messing with tube replacement, tube rolling, etc.) or similar highly regarded tube preamp with a phono section. But I've read using a tube preamp with a solid state amp is the way to achieve the best sound from both technologies.

Is anyone familiar with the YBA solid state preamps? A Stereophile review speaks highly of their phono section (which is what I'm primarily interested in).

Is there a significant difference between the YBA Alpha 2 and the Alpha 1 models (other than price;-)?

Are there any other reasonably priced (< $2000) solid state amps that would significantly better my PSE Studio SL? Or should I just stick with it?

2. For digital I'll be using the preamp I eventually keep/purchase with a Benchmark DAC 1. Is there a way to easily bypass a preamp's line stage other than disconnecting the preamplifier and cabling directly from the DAC 1 to the PSE Studio IV power amplifier(s) (a bit of a hassle).

Since I'm actually biamping a pair of AudioPhysic Virgos with a subwoofer, I don't know how I could use the Benchmark directly with two amps, unless a custom set of biamping cables could be used...

Any other thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Bob
raygun

Showing 1 response by kw6

kw6
692 posts
 
Hi Demetris,

I still remember to this day, circa 1995, how a salesman did a demo for me on a system consisting of YBA cd 3, YBA pre 2, YBA amp 2, Apogee Slant 6, monster cables using the Chesky Ultimate demo disk. The other amp cycled in was Simaudio, I forget the model but it was one model up from 4070. When he put in the YBA amp 2 playing the Sara K. track the finesse and emotion just poured through glueing me to the chair. To this day have not heard a demo of its equal.

I agree, YBA is very musical and gives you great insight about a recording. I picked up an Audio Refinement Multi-2 as a summer back up and I am very impressed. Now I am thinking of upgrading to the YBA amps. YBA amps do benefit from having a tube pre, I am using a c-j 17LS2 which is also very musical, and full sounding cables like Cardas GC.
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