Benchmark LA4 Preamp?

Hello yysantabarbara,

     Funny, I was at Audio Solutions here in Indy last Saturday with a friend listening to and comparing a used pair of blue Magico A3s and a used pair of Sonus Faber Stradivari, both in excellent condition.
     My friend owns an ML585 integrated and he and I both love its sound. But his wife wants him to replace his big Avantgarde Acoustic horns with something more normal looking for their mountain lodge home’s living room in Idaho and I tagged along to help him decide. He’d narrowed his search down to these two speakers and they both are very good.
     For the lengthy auditions, the shop was using their own ML 585 integrated demo amp along with a Lumin S1 DAC and hi-res files. We both agreed the Magico A3s were better performers than the Sonus Faber Stratavari in all categories except bass response and looks. We discussed possible solutions and he opted for the A3s and a pair of 12" REL subs.
     You continue to offer excellent advice, thanks. Extended listening to the ML 585 on both of these speakers convinced me that I really enjoy the excellent sonic character of the ML 585 integrated, too. These listening sessions are the main reason I decided to buy a used ML 326S preamp. I really want to add some of what I consider the general ML sonic characteristics to my system; an overall neutral, detailed and smooth sound with just a touch of bloom along with projecting a solid, stable, 3 dimensional and palpable soundstage that’s realistically and naturally wide and deep. I’m also very impressed with the silky smooth, detailed and extended ML treble response that I never perceived as harsh or bright.
     After hours of auditioning, I’m now completely certain I could happily live with the convenience and very high sound quality of the ML 585 in my system. However, I know I also highly value the added flexibility provided by using separates.
     Ironically, I’ve decided to take advantage of that flexibility while also hopefully obtaining at least a modicum of the excellent ML specific sonic attributes by making the following significant changes to my combo 2-ch music and HT system:system over the next month or so that I’ve already begun:

1. I purchased a 4K Oppo 205, at what I consider a reasonably premium price of $2,100, to replace my 1080p Oppo 105 universal A/V disc player.
2. I purchased a 4K LG 9C 75" OLED hdtv to replace my 1080p 65" Panasonic plasma.
3. I added a Lumin D2 dac/streamer, 20 TB SynologyNAS (currently loaded with 18 TB of music files) controlled by an iPad running a Lumin app.
4. Soon will be purchasing a used ML 326S preamp to replace my Parasound Halo P-6 preamp.
5. Soon will be purchasing a used pair of class D Merrill Veritas mono-blocks to replace my pair of class D D-Sonic mono-blocks.

Fairly significant changes to my combo system that I’m fairly confident will all be worth it by resulting in significant system performance gains.

I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing the results,
Tim

Update:

     My 1st choice remains the ML326S preamp due to the fact that I really enjoy the ML sound characteristics, it has all the functionality I'd like/need and I LOVE the small rather chunky metal remote (the same as the ML585 integrated amp comes with) that fits so perfectly in the palm of my hand.  
     However, I'm a bit concerned that I may not be able to find a pre-owned 326S in very good condition at the $5K price I planned (these new had a msrp of $10K), although I am willing to pay a reasonable premium just for that awesome remote.
     As a result, I've identified the Aesthetix Saturn Calypso preamp as a possible alternative option to the ML 326S.  I'd still likely be purchasing a pre-owned unit in very good condition but it's reassuring to know that the Calypso is still a current Aessthetix product that they continue to manufacture at their facility in California.  
     The Calypso's new msrp price is $4,500 but I've seen pre-owned units offered online for up to $2K less, so either are within my $5K budget.  My only current concern is whether, since the Calypso is a hybrid ss/tube design and uses 2 tubes per channel, it will provide the low noise, low distortion and highly detailed performance I'm desiring in order to create my goal of a soundstage illusion that is wide, deep, dense, solid, stable, 3 dimensional and natural.
      From the numerous reviews I've read on the Calypso, it seems like it's a very high quality performer.  But I was hoping others might chime in with their thoughts on the Calypso as a preamp option, especially if they've had personal experience utilizing a Calypso in their own system.


Thanks,
  Tim

Tim, I have two friends with Calypso's and both (while sounding big and fun) have a pretty high noise floor, a hiss that sounds like white noise when the music is not playing. If you are used to a low noise floor like me, it might be a hard switch for you, I would not be able to get used to it. 

Hello chrissain,

     Yes, I also prefer the detail enhancing qualities of a low noise floor. Thanks for your input since a hiss would drive me crazy, too.
     Fortunately, I found a used Levinson 326S preamp for sale at a local high-end audio shop here in Indy in very good condition and at a reasonable price that’s within my budget.
     I just installed it in my system a few days ago and it’s excellent. Extremely low noise floor, neutral, accurate and very detailed overall without any trace of harshness or brightness. I’m thrilled with it and I’m really digging the sweet remote, too.

Thanks,
Tim

Have to say the ML 326S looks interesting. However, I could never use it, as my DACs all output much higher voltages than the 326S can handle unless I were to use the 0 dB gain setting. To me, at least, that seems a serious design flaw.

Currently waiting for the LA4 ordered from a local dealer, but word is that due to demand, I'll have to wait at least three weeks, maybe up to six as I'm not in the USA.

Whatever preamp one uses, I thought Benchmark's discussion of the benefits of balanced analogue connections was the most comprehensive piece on the subject I've yet seen.