2. amps-preamps
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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 slaw3

slaw3
139 posts
 
Hi!
I went through many of the same trials and tribs in my search for great sound, and I agree heartily with Bojack above. The AA M3A is a fantastic preamp, it's what I ended up with after lots of auditions for the same reasons you want it - to mate with a SS Amp (in my case the Nuforce Ref 9 monos) to go with my Audio Physic Virgos and Velodyne Sub. IMHO, there's no better pre for the $$ than the Audible Illusions!
I also believe you will find that you do NOT want to run your Benchmark direct to your amp - the sound is far too bare and sterile. You'll WANT to go through the M3A. If you use the tape monitior inputs, you have a reasonably direct path. You can always try it and compare - I did - and I bet you go back to running through the M3A. It's that good, you won't WANT to bypass it!
Last thing, you do NOT have to mess with tubes or tube roll with the M3A to get great sound, although you can of course. I get my replacement tubes direct from Audible Illusions, and they sound wonderful. One day some day I'll tube roll, but I really don't feel the need with this piece, which, again, fits my needs and audio lifestyle.
The 3A is dead quiet, very musical, and fits my system to a "T".
Good luck!
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