High end preamp wanted...

[Tim F]

Following the sale of my ARC Ref 3. Budget around £5k... what have you got?

[Lurch]

I would suggest contacting Jonathan Billington at MFA, and getting an audition of Baby Ref, they are stunning things.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

[hifinutt]

agreed , i compared one to my arc ref 5 and it was extremely good . not too much in it .

[gerlando]

https://www.abcaudio.biz/product-page/m-50-p-classic-pre-amplifier

[Tim F]

Thanks all, I would prefer balanced and active, but appreciate the suggestions.

[Andy831]

Not sure I would look any further than Tron. Graham Trickers pre amps are quite special.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Thanks all, I would prefer balanced and active, but appreciate the suggestions.

Hi Tim
Why ? Balanced is sadly very precarious involving precise summing with ensuring hot and cold arrive intact at your power amp. if its not summed precisely or amplified precisely you end up with phase errors, as either cold or hot, lead or lag.
Active systems similarly contain many ( endless ) level amplifier/ speaker matching issues.

The advantages of balanced are touted as reducing unbalanced noise. using instead opto coupling in your passive attenuation exampled by the NSL32SR3 http://test.lunainc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NSL-32SR3.pdf
IMO has, when powered properly exemplary silencing of noise floor ie a black silent background, making balanced systems, left wanting what they can achieve.

Lots to think about, let me know if I can help further.

[Tim F]

My V140 monoblocks are fully balanced and only have balanced inputs. Thanks for the advice. I'm not buying new so will see what is about rather than targeting a specific make.

Bump....

[Barry]

My V140 monoblocks are fully balanced and only have balanced inputs. Thanks for the advice. I'm not buying new so will see what is about rather than targeting a specific make.

Bump....

You can use a preamp having unbalanced outputs with a power amp having balanced inputs. Just as you can feed a preamp having only balanced inputs from a source having unbalanced outputs. The reverse situation is more tricky.

[hifinutt]

Not sure I would look any further than Tron. Graham Trickers pre amps are quite special.

good choice

[hifinutt]

https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/146570-audio-note-m5-preamplifier/?tab=comments#comment-2643027

not sure about the outputs

[spook]

I may be selling my Ayre K-1xe soon as I'm moving in the new year and want to simplify/downsize my hifi.

[Tim F]

Thanks, I’m looking for an upgrade on my ref 3, some of these look like a move sideways.

[spook]

At this level, my guess is that an 'upgrade' is likely to be more about individual sound preference and synergy with the rest of your system. I hope you find something you like. It should be fun searching.....

[Edward]

A mate runs an Audiopax Model 5 (https://www.audiopax.com/e/Model5.html). Possibly the last word in preamp design and high end.

[Ubi]

Thanks, I’m looking for an upgrade on my ref 3, some of these look like a move sideways.

What is your system?

I don't see it in the signature. Maybe this will give clues to what might work well?

[Tim F]

Lampizator Golden Gate 2, ARC V140 monos, Focal Scala Utopia 111

Just to be clear I’m not looking for advice on buying something new at full price.

Thanks Tim

[User211]

A mate runs an Audiopax Model 5 (https://www.audiopax.com/e/Model5.html). Possibly the last word in preamp design and high end.It is very good gear. I visited Audiopax in Rio De Janeiro and was very impressed.

[anubisgrau]

I have Premium Raleigh Audio Extreme Preamplifier, a fully differential/balanced active line stage based on Lundahl input and output transformers. 3 XLR and 1 RCA inputs, 2 XLR outputs, ebony knobs. Produced by K&K Audio.

http://www.kandkaudio.com/line-stage/

If you can live with low to moderate gain (switchable 6-12db), it's really a good one. Output impedance is only 350 ohm so it can drive virtually anything.

It will cost you way bellow your budget of 5k. I can imagine a top brand charging in the range of 10k for something like this with flashy front.

[Mike Reed]

What about E.A.R.? The 912, which is exemplary and RCA or balanced to boot, is rare on the used market but would be around 5 to 6K (also contains good ph/stages). The pre. below that should be looked at too, and I think is also RCA or balanced. Exc. aftercare at St. Neots too. You might be surprised at the difference in presentation from your ARCs, assuming the input/output spec's stack up.

[hifinutt]

can you stretch that budget tim?
very very rare
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Research-Reference-6-Pre-Amplifier/284071785497?hash=item4223ff7419:g:2VgAAOSwLq1fpsM e

[Tim F]

I’m on that one but it’s £££!

[hifinutt]

yes , worth it though .might be worth a bid near the end although with the current wave of enthusiasm since todays vaccine announcement things might pick up with hi fi demand !!

[hifinutt]

to think i sold my 6 month old one owner ref 5se back in 2011 for around 6.5k , and that took a LOT of work to sell . now they sell in hours !!!

[pidge22]

Hi I suggested this on PFM https://gtaudio.com/for-sale/tron-seven-preamplifier-full-function-ultimate-spec/
I have a Tron Ultimate Phonostgae & it is superb....if the rest of my system wasn't Linn Klimax I would have had this in a shot...Graham Tricker of GT Audio is a top guy & has been so helpfull in helping me get the best out of my system...

[Tim F]

Got a Ref 6 for £££ over budget :D

Thanks all for you advice...

[hifinutt]

Fab , well done

[Lawrence001]

Budget schmudget.