best remote preamp for McCormack amp

If you can find a Golden Tube SEP-2 or SEP-3 linestage they make a very nice matchup with McCormack amps & have remote control. Gigantic sounstage!

Frontiers preamps. Even the least expensive line 1 has the same build quality and features as the cost-no-object (almost) line 3.This is a feat in itself. Full featured yet musical. Not your typical tube sound, but very exact and neutral, the way it should be ! I own a Line 1 with the McCormack DNA-225, I have looked hard to get the perfect match. After auditionning the line 1 and 2, I got a line 1, springing instead for the valvo tube upgrade. It captures the qualities of the McCormack amp nicely. Good luck! Hope this helps. Very nice built-in tube headphone amp by the way.

Hi, I agree with Garfish. I just purchased a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 to replace my McCormack TLC-1 deluxe w/remote and my McCormack RLD-1 which is also a great solid state pre for the money. I'm still keeping the McCormack pres for my second system. I'm very pleased with the line 3 and changed only because I wanted to try a tube pre with my McCormack DNA-2 standard (I hope to have Steve upgrade to Rev. A soon). The SF works excellent except runs hot (12 tubes no doubt put of some heat) and make sure your rack can give the SF's room to dissipate the heat if you go tube pre route. Hope this helps and feel free to contact me for further input. Don.

You may also want to try BAT VK3i; mine sounds very nice with DNA-1 Rev. B and uses 4 6922s and 2 6V6s. The pre runs cooler than the SS amp!

If you're not looking to go tubes you might want to check out the Placette active preamp, which is very highly regarded and extremely neutral. I think you can try it risk free for 30 days as it's only available factory direct. Best of luck.

Tim