Preamp for McCormack DNA-125 Gold? Budget $2k

Nolitan: can you elaborate on what you liked about each of the pre's you tried with the McCormack? I see you have been through several.....

Chiho

I've owned and enjoyed both the Audio Horizons and the Capri.In my system it wasn't even close,sold the Capri and kept the AH.

Funny this is the same quandary I am facing I've got a DNA-1 rev a with the balanced option and a pair of Alon 1s. I had considered the CAT SL-1, Audio Research SP 10, Modwright 9se and then I went through the passive thought process and considered the placette, bent tap or prometheus units.

I run a vinyl rig and a computer based rig and tonight I plugged my dacs (transdac and apogee duet) direct into the McCormack and used itunes volume control. I was blown away by the sound quality. It is clear to me that just about every preamp I have used has mucked up the sound. I have never heard my rig sound so dynamic and several layers of veil have been removed.
The unfortunate thing is this is a sure fire way to fry the Alons as one day I will forget to lower the itunes volume. Any ideas on a preamp that has the transparency that I am getting going direct?

Jp,

I am using the balanced Promethius Ref 4 TVC into a pair of older DNA-1 monoblocks with very satisfying results. My monoblocks are an older pair with 100 kOhm input impedance. If I recall, most of the later revisions by SMc audio use a much lower 10 kOhm input impedance. If that is the case with your rev a, you might want to stay away from the resistor based passives like the placette. TVC's like the Promethius might be a better way to go. I can't comment on comparisons with active pre's because I've been using passives for the last 15 years. In the case of the Promethius, its an inexpensive experiment to give one a try.

JP11801 - Brownsfan is correct - your DNA-1 Rev A Balanced has an input impedance of 10KOhm. This limits your passive choices somewhat - transformer-based designs (TVC) units are your best bet, and resistor-based designs (with conventional volume pots or stepped-attenuators) will not match well. TVC passive designs have made quite a few audiophiles happy and are worth looking into. It takes an extraordinary active preamp design to deliver the kind of transparency you are getting from your direct connection, but you may also find it difficult to get the same level of dynamic impact from a passive design.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio