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What qualities stand out in really good solid state preamps?

Recently I posted on the Herron HL-1, asking people what they thought, how it compared, etc. It's been sold and that's ok. The search continues. 

But it raises a question I'd like to ask folks:

What attributes do you look for in a good solid state preamp?

Some qualities — quietness, durability, seem pretty obvious.

But what other criteria do you use to differentiate between solid state preamps?

How can they differ and what matters to you?

Please let me know!

P.S. As I've looked around, I've begun to learn more about some of the legendary preamps — made by companies such as Threshold, Ayre, Bryston, Pass, Apt-Holman, and others. It's good to have these names as references, but it would be even more useful if I knew what these brands conveyed, sonically. I've played with the idea of getting a newer Schiit preamp and then I wonder -- what if there's a "classic" preamp out there, used? What would it deliver that was worth searching for?

128x128hilde45
bigkidz
3,318 posts
 

@sns - I had mentioned Pass Labs also.  I was wondering since you said your other preamp was upgraded and had some modification by you.  What were they?  As an repair service, I would imagine that we could upgrade the Pass with a few choice parts and make that preamp even better for a SS unit.

Happy Listening.

terry9
2,227 posts
 

RE: non-clicking volume control - the problem is that you waste a lot of what the preamp circuit can do. The only way to get the most from your preamp is to use the volume control to control gain. That means resistors. All the best resistors are discrete, so you need to select different resistors for each volume level. This means clicks.

There is a reason why Kondo does it that way.

sns
3,003 posts
 

@bigkidz 

 

Changed out generic Chinese rotary selectors (tvc) for Amtrans, changed out  generic metal film bias resistors for Takman carbon film, Nichicon FG bias caps for Audio Note Seiryu, Kaisei out of stock, probably would have used them if in stock.

mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 

The best sounding pre amp out there is no pre amp at all, many fine source components can be directly connected to a amplifier, at one time I was only into CD's so I had a CD player that had a volume control on it and balanced outputs! I had 2 pieces of gear and was buying the finest CD's I could get my hands on (XRCD). 

Matt M    

 

     P.S I prefer a hybrid setup using a Manley Labs Jumbo shrimp and Chinook Phono pre front end with a McIntosh MC352 double balanced solid state amp. 

 

 

benanders's avatar
benanders
213 posts
 

If a listener desires influence from a preamp on the source material (the music as it was mastered), it should be proportionate to influence the kit downstream of it offers. I assume this is the “synergy” perpetually discussed - small to moderate influences of different artifacts in the playback chain syncing up to the preference of one or more listeners. Believable even if not particularly demonstrable. 😉
e.g.: If you want clear-of-artifacts like a Benchmark (preamp) but then run your ZZ Top tracks through a power amp with Shuguang tubes*, you probably keep people guessing in all other life matters, too! 😆

*that’s no dig at Shuguang tubes - in the right rig they’re great fun

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