Trade the power amp in against a K3 integrated maybe?
Trade the power amp in against a K3 integrated maybe?
novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player
Preamp | Amplifier: Pass Labs XP-20 | Odyssey Stratos Monoblocks
Analogue Sources: Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2
DAC | Digital Sources: Auralic Altair G1 | JVC XL-Z411
Speakers | Subwoofers: Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2
Power Conditioning: Blue Circle Audio | Monster HTS 5000
Cables: Wireworld | Pangea Audio | AudioQuest
great suggestion . there are quite a few good pre amps at the moment under 1k . puresound L10 valve on pfm at 850 a cambridge audio azur on pfm too
ou might slip, you might slide, you might
Stumble and fall by the road side
But don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around
… Walk with the rich, walk with the poor
Learn from everyone, that's what life is for
And don't you let nobody drag your spirit down
Eric Bibb
I am using a Schiit Freya with a K3 power amp and its pretty good. I am using it in balanced mode.
All this talk of pre-amps reminds me that I have a VTL Deluxe that's been in storage for about twenty years and I might consider parting with it. It's a great sounding bit of kit, with a lovely MM phono stage.
It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!
Location: Essex, UK
Posts: 45
I'm BaskingInTheTriumphOfRealityOverHope.
If an analogue pre is an option (i.e. no digital inputs), there is the Quad Artera Pre:
https://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/artera-pre/
I have one and it's the right fit for my setup.
Budget = £1,100ish (less with trade-in)
Remote = Y
EQ controls = Y (by way of "tilt" rather than conventional treb/bass options)
Headphone out = Y (6.35mm jack; will drive 300/600ohm sets - Fanthorpes checked with Quad before I purchased)
XLR options (in & out) = Y
Phono stage = Y
Audio character: To me, the right balance between clarity and depth. Detailed but not brittle / overly bright; well reproduced bottom end but not muddy; mids neither too recessed or too forward - much will depend on the recording itself and other components in the chain &, I hesitate to say, cable choices.
Of course, YMMV.
Hope you find something that works for you.
Kevin
Main system:
Sources: EverSolo DMP-A6; Sony UHP-H1 (disc player)
DAC: Denafrips Pontus II
Pre amp: Quad Artera Pre (is also the main headphone amp)
Power amp: Willsenton R8 amp (running JJ E34Ls) / Aiyima A07 (with Sparkos SS3602 Op Amps)
Speakers: Dynaudio Special 40s with Van Damme UP-LCOFC (4mm) cables
InterConns: Tellurium Q Black XLR; Morrow Audio MA4 - pre 2018 (analogue RCA); Mark Grant (coax x1); Atlas (coax x1)
I'm on the other side of the pond and have the same Quad Artera Pre. Love this thing! I agree 100% with what you said about the sound. However, I didn't recommend it because the OP wants to stay around £1000, preferably less if possible.
Just a side question, would you happen to have a thread about your system? I'd like to see another system out there with the Artera Pre. I haven't found a single one yet other than you.
Preamp | Amplifier: Pass Labs XP-20 | Odyssey Stratos Monoblocks
Analogue Sources: Nakamichi DR-1 | Technics SL-1700MK2
DAC | Digital Sources: Auralic Altair G1 | JVC XL-Z411
Speakers | Subwoofers: Magnepan 1.7i | SVS PB-1000 Pro x 2
Power Conditioning: Blue Circle Audio | Monster HTS 5000
Cables: Wireworld | Pangea Audio | AudioQuest
The Schiit Saga is another option. I use the original tube version in my second system. If I was buying one new, I'd probably get the cheaper "solid state" version. It's better than using an integrated as a pre-amp (I was using an AudioLab 8000S in this role before hand for example). It did everything I wanted it to do, and was as good sounding as the PS Audio Gain Cell that replaced it in my main system for a year or two. Saying that, the Townsend Allegri+ that now has pride of place is better again, but a lot more expensive and no remote (I'm surprised how little I miss it).
Rob.
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