Atma-Sphere MP-3 Mk. 3.3 vs. VAC CPA-1 MK II or Avatar Super - Recommendations

@hitsofmisses Agreed. However, the reason I suggested the Schiit passive (it has an active JFET option) was because you only have two high-level sources which could be fed into power amp(s). You do not necessarily need a massive preamp or an integrated as you have the Halo. While the Schiit doesn’t look much, it is a lot better than its price suggests.

What about Linear Tube Audio, Backert, Audio Research, or Don Sachs?  Why so limited?

Isn’t the sound directly proportional to the weight of the transformer & tube used?

No- that simply has nothing to do with it. Things to look for: a simple signal path, available tubes (some preamps use tubes that are no longer made), whether or not the unit has regulated power supplies, construction quality.
If you have a simple signal path its likely that the circuit will be more transparent with wider bandwidth. The power transformers simply have to provide the needed voltage and current such that they can do the job. Any excess capacity that the transformer might have doesn't affect the sound- it simply means that the product is heavier without other benefit.

Now damping **can** affect the sound as it reduces microphonics and a good damping system does add weight.

It’s not clear to me why you are asking for comparisons between an integrated amp and two preamps. Would I be correct in assuming that if you were to go with the Avatar Super it would replace the Halo A51, as well as adding preamp functionality? And if so wouldn’t the most significant comparison involving the Avatar Super be between its sonics and those of the Halo?

Regards,
-- Al