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Pre-amp recommendation

Hi
My 2 channel reference setup is almost complete.
I'm looking for a suitable pre-amp to complete the setup.
A few that I'm considering :
Cary SLP 05 (used)
Cary 98
Pass Labs X02 (used)
Budget is limited to $5K.
Any other brands are also acceptable

My setup
Source : Esoteric K01
Pre-am : Densen B200 (for now)
Amps : Threshold SA/1 mono blocks ( Mids & Highs)
Sub Amp : Gallo Ref SA
Speakers : Gallo 5LS

It's almost impossible for me to audition so any help will be highly appreciated.
Thanks

128x128shahzada123
shahzada123's avatar
shahzada123 OP
10 posts
 
Good point there George.
Missed out the dual load.
Will keep in mind when deciding.
Thanks
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
That K01 would absolutely sing going into a Jeff Rowland preamp. He does MAGIC to music (the /magic' button is the battery suply. when you hear music off the grid, you never go back). If there were ANY way to do it, you should. A nice ayre is a strong 2nd (and easilly within your budget but easy aint always best); I would keep things quiet(er) by staying with solid state. The emotive (not emotiva) is sweet. Believe battery as well (or is hat veloce)?
thankful
222 posts
 
I have owned the Coincident Statement, First Sound MKIII, Sanders, Parasound JC-2 all of which are great line-stages. My favorite and most musical is the Exemplar Exception from Exemplar Audio. Call John Tucker he can provide some guidance. I believe they are around $4500.
shahzada123's avatar
shahzada123 OP
10 posts
 
I'm using 2 PS1200 A/C Regenerators to feed the system so... almost off grid. Battery power is not an absolute necessity here.
BTW, the Regenerators made a significant difference in the overall sound clarity.
Also the room has been treated acoustically, which was the biggest improvement.

Now for some pre amp researchÂ….
unsound
7,315 posts
 
Many claim that Threshold amps work very well with Audio Research's pre-amps.
I'm not familiar with the Gallo Ref SA. I believe it has RCA inputs. Will you need two pairs of RCA outputs from the pre-amp to connect to both the Threshold and Gallo amps?
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