Hello @yyzsantabarbara I was wondering how liked the Benchmark HPA4 compared to the line-stage-only LA4. In theory they should sound the same, but I note the line-stage-only Bryston BP 19 sounds slightly different than the BP 20, the full featured preamp with DAC, etc. If I don’t go with a tube preamp, it seems like the HP4 might be a good solution for me. Although I hardly ever use headphones at the moment, once my wife and I both retire, and we’re at home a lot more together, headphones may be essential for listening to music as much as I will probably want to.
Preamp for Bryston 4b3 & Tannoy Cheviots
I recently upgraded my amplifier from a Parasound A23+ to a Bryston 4B3 and upgraded my speaker cables to my Tannoy Cheviots to good effect. Before this upgrade, the other upgrade I’d been considering was to upgrade my Parasound Holo P6 preamp. Now that I have done the amp upgrade, I am starting to wonder what paired with the Bryston might make an additional increase in sound quality. I listen to a wide variety of rock music, a lot of roots music, Jazz and singer songwriters. I see a lot of music live, and having real instruments sound as real as possible and breadth and three dimensionality of soundstage are the goals I would like to maximize. I primarily stream music and have a separate DAC and digital reclocker so I am primarily looking for a pre where I am not paying for an on board DAC. A phonostage is also of no current value to me. Though I have 1000 LPs in the garage, I haven’t had a turntable in years, and am reluctant to add an analog element to my system whose quality would be proportional to the other elements of my system. I have a large number of cds, but rarely play them. Similarly, I have no use for a bunch of home theater features and connections as my system is only for music.
I note the relatively new Bryston BP-19 is analog only and I assume would be a good mate to their amp. However, I haven’t found any in-depth reviews of it. I was also pondering the Primaluna Evo 300 or 400, but one of my dealers has been cautioning me against the long term expense and hassle of tubes. I’m thinking I might be able to spend around $6000 if it made a significant improvement in sound quality.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
The details of my system are as follows:
Amp: Bryston 4B3 300 w x 2
Pre: Parasound Halo P6
Speakers: Tannoy Cheviots, Analysis Plus Black Mesh Oval 9 gauge biwired cables (21’ run)
Digital Streamer/Source: Heavily modified BlueSound NODE 130 (added Fidelity Audio clock board & LPSU)/ Innuos Phoenix USB/ Gustard X26 Pro DAC (connected by Shunyata Alpha USB cables.
All other interconnects: Synergistics Research Foundation or better
Power: Power conditioner: Synergistics Research Powercell 10 SE Mk 3 w SR Atmosphere level 3 cord; All power cords SR Foundation
My listening room is also known as my wife’s living room. Please no suggestions as to room
corection as I have no control over the room. The speakers are on the 14 foot wall at the front of the house, and although the living room is 16 foot deep, it flows into a dining room space where the ceiling lowers. There are also a couch and windows on the left side, and interior wall on the right (where the TV and stereo system components are).
- ...
- 25 posts total
Does anyone know an audio dealer in Southern California where one can listen to a demo system set up to switch between a tube preamp and a solid state preamp comparable quality? The dealer I like where I bought my speakers (that has an advantage in that they can set up a demo system with the same speakers that I own) is apparently to demonstrate their tube preamps but not comparable solid-state preamps (for reasons that I’m not sure I understand). Obviously, a system comparable to mine with a $4 to $5000 preamp will sound better than a system comparable to mine where I’m running a $2000 Parasound, so I won’t be able to tell if the difference is due to the tubes I the pre or just because it is a good pre at a much higher price point. |
If headphones are likely part of your future that should put the LTA MicroZOTL high on your list as it’s an outstanding headphone amplifier in addition to preamp. Also, sonically it walks a deft line offering something for people who like aspects of both tubes and solid state, and the tubes have a loooong life and are cheap to replace so very low maintenance as tube equipment goes. This could well be a best of all worlds solution for you all things considered. I believe they offer a 14-day trial that you might really consider taking advantage of. |
@lloyd1969 The LA4 and HPA4 sound identical. I have owned the HPA4 2x and the LA4 once. I love the lack of sound of each one. I did not need to get the HPA4 since I had the LA4, but I was able to do a cashless trade for my AHB2 amp. The reason to get the HPA4 is as a supplementary headphone amp for what maybe the world's best headphone. RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org I have decided to get the RAAL 1995 Immanis and I think the HPA4 will be a nice match for the slightly warm Immanis. The Immanis is incredible. I heard it in Ventura, CA at the USA partner, RAAL Requisite. Danny McKinney is the guy in Ventura that can demo the phones. Stereophile and TAS are both going to have reviews of the Immanis. I mention Danny because when I went to demo the 2 phones, I took my Holo Audio Serene preamp. It measures even better than the HPA4/LA4 and it a touch warmer. Danny had a passive preamp that he had put together for a speaker that he was designing. I compared my Serene to his passive and the passive was a lot better, in the sense of hearing more into the music. I am thinking that the passive maybe even better than the HPA4. I told him that if he ever builds a passive preamp with multiple source inputs (XLR, RCA) then I would want to get one. I actually have 3 preamps and 2 systems,
The Mjolnir v3 costs $1300 and is a pure Class A preamp. It is a headphone amp and a preamp. It is similar to the CODA 07x preamp. The Mjolnir does not have a remote control. The CODA 07x preamp is another unit that may interest you since it has a tube -ish sound. I have the CODA #16 amp but liked the HPA4 and Serene over the 07x, though a lot of other people may like the 07x. I have seen the 07x on USAM for $3.2k+. I would take that over tubes since it is much easier to take care off.
|
I’ve owned the Bryston BP17 and Primaluna Evo400 preamps with Bryston 2.5B3 monos. Assuming the BP19 is similar (house sound?) to the older model, the Bryston preamps have more immediacy and punch to the sound than the Primaluna. If I listened to rock music I’d probably want the Bryston preamp. The Primaluna is really nice. It’s not lacking in detail and is a bit smoother than the solid state preamp, while offering a more 3D soundstage. As for tubes being a burden? It’s a very reliable preamp. Change the tubes every 3-5 years depending on how much you use it and it will be fine. A lot probably depends on your speakers and room, in terms of which would bring more synergy overall. They do sound very different. I’ve also owned the Benchmark LA4 and it is the quietest and most neutral of the three. Some might consider it boring compared to the other two. If you like the character of your amp and speakers as they are, it could be a great fit. |
- 25 posts total