anewmission Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Just bought a pair of sonus faber cremona auditors and am planning on running them with my yamaha p2200 from 1977 Wondering if anyone can suggest a nice pre pairing for my p2200 and these speakers. Analogs only but a bit bypass is most welcome and so is l+r sub outs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 Someone offered me a wyred4sound about a year ago. I wish I took that offer. Also there is an emotiva that looks good and apparently the phono stage is amazing but it hasn't won all the awards that the wyred4sound one does Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyW Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) Easily the best I've used is the DACGEAR LDR Pre Mk2, it bettered all my prior pre's. Of those other I tried I've listed them from best to worst: Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL 3 Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL 2-S with LTA Linear Power Supply Upgrade Schiit Saga+ Really though the Saga+ and MZ2-S each bettered the other in some aspects while the MZ3 combined what I liked about each and then some. That said, the DACGEAR is significantly better in every way allowing more nuance and detail through and texture to the sound, better sound staging, improved dynamics all while being fuller and more fleshed out. I've never experienced another like it. I used both outputs on mine to bi-amp so I'm actually splitting the original signal though to be fair my Abbas sources have quite a strong output signal. A mate brought a Stereo Coffee 2020 LDR over and it was much the same though I thought maybe slightly more forward? There wasn't much in it. Based on that if aesthetics, build quality and featureset are a consideration spend a bit extra for the DACGEAR, though if sound quality is the only consideration for the lowest possible price I'd certainly recommend the Stereo Coffee. If looking for another pre that's of a similar level to the MZ 2-S and Saga+ then the iFi iTube2 is probably worth a look too though I've never heard it first hand. Merely read about it. Edited January 7, 2021 by MattyW 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al.M Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 I also have the same power amp. I second the Stereo Coffee pre at $320 kit or over $500 built is best bang for buck, ultra detailed. See reviews here and elsewhere. You havnt mentioned budget, so Supratek tube pre for around $3k thereabouts would be my pick. Used ones can be found for around $2k. Other general preamps that have sounded good on the amp where Audiolab 8000C, budget Alegro Line 1 tube preamp and Audio Research Ls7. Would also keep an eye out for Conrad Johnson, other AR, Electrocompaniet, Cary etc. List of some new options here https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/325588-sna-amplifiers-and-preamps-audition-shortlist/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 Hoping for something with atleast balanced outputs as I want my power amp about 5 metres from the pre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 (edited) 27 minutes ago, anewmission said: Hoping for something with at least balanced outputs as I want my power amp about 5 metres from the pre You are misinformed. Provided you are using a 'real ' preamp which has a good output buffer - ie. not a passive pre - RCA interconnects (aka 'unbalanced') won't give you any problems at 6m length. (I used to run 11m RCA interconnects at my last house - with no issues. Mind you ... it was low-C cable. ) Andy Edited January 11, 2021 by andyr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 Well the wyred4sound one got snapped up before I could reply to the owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 Budget is $1500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 20, 2021 Author Share Posted January 20, 2021 Still looking. What I need is, 3 or 4 inputs. Balanced and unbalanced and balanced and unbalanced outputs. No digital or phono needed. A ht bypass or line level input? I think it's called Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willmax Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 For your consideration: https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/327311-fs-kenwood-balanced-preamp-mmmc-phono-xlr-rca-remote/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetherock Posted January 20, 2021 Share Posted January 20, 2021 On 11/01/2021 at 11:23 AM, anewmission said: Hoping for something with atleast balanced outputs as I want my power amp about 5 metres from the pre I've had a great time with my Cambridge Audio NQ: https://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2021/01/cambridge-audio-edge-nq-and-w-review.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejt Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 How about a good tube one? lacks balanced though. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davm Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 You might find it a bit of a struggle to find a preamp with balanced input and outputs within your budget. One I found is the Vincent SA-32 Stereo Preamplifier. It's a hybrid device, combining solid state and tube stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surprisetech Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 22 hours ago, anewmission said: Still looking. What I need is, 3 or 4 inputs. Balanced and unbalanced and balanced and unbalanced outputs. No digital or phono needed. A ht bypass or line level input? I think it's called This might be worth a look given those criteria. https://www.spacehifi.com.au/audio/amplifiers/rotel-rc-1572-stereo-preamplifier?option=1859&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2YP-z6Os7gIVrJ1LBR1d8gTMEAYYBSABEgJ_CPD_BwE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereo coffee Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 On 11/01/2021 at 4:44 PM, andyr said: You are misinformed. Provided you are using a 'real ' preamp which has a good output buffer - ie. not a passive pre - RCA interconnects (aka 'unbalanced') won't give you any problems at 6m length. (I used to run 11m RCA interconnects at my last house - with no issues. Mind you ... it was low-C cable. ) Andy I run a 6 metre interconnect with my passive pre - which is very real ( and really good too ) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 45 minutes ago, stereo coffee said: I run a 6 metre interconnect with my passive pre - which is very real ( and really good too ) Good to know, Chris. I was under the (mis)understanding that a good - obviously active - buffer was needed, for the capability to drive long interconnects. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 I'm open to used gear and I can increase my budget Abit as of next week. There's a nice krell on hifishark and a few other nice lexicon ect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jehuty Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Get a valve preamp. Note: I am bias Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 On 20/01/2021 at 6:07 PM, anewmission said: Still looking. What I need is, 3 or 4 inputs. Balanced and unbalanced and balanced and unbalanced outputs. No digital or phono needed. A ht bypass or line level input? I think it's called Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 This I'm open to used gear and I can increase my budget Abit as of next week. There's a nice krell on hifishark and a few othe 14 hours ago, Irek said: This is an integrated tube amplifier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 34 minutes ago, anewmission said: This is an integrated tube amplifier? It's just an example of external design, preamplifier from Weston Acoustics is smaller and has less tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 On 21/01/2021 at 3:16 PM, andyr said: Good to know, Chris. I was under the (mis)understanding that a good - obviously active - buffer was needed, for the capability to drive long interconnects. I believe it would then depend on the output impedance of the source components as they'd be the drive and the input impedance of the power amp. If that relationship is borderline to begin with, a passive pre will be more detrimental, and cable length more critical (especially after the pre). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 On 1/23/2021 at 11:22 AM, Ittaku said: I believe it would then depend on the output impedance of the source components as they'd be the drive and the input impedance of the power amp. If that relationship is borderline to begin with, a passive pre will be more detrimental, and cable length more critical (especially after the pre). I agree with this, I have plugged my dac and dc player directly to the power amp via a stepped attenuator and the dac seems to have enough oomph and really good clarity mind you, when plugged directly to the power amp. The phono pre, not so much. The cd player was ok.. Then again I was just using an nad pre that I have laying around and it's hitting 350watt on the vu metres at less than 12pm on the pre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereo coffee Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 On 23/01/2021 at 1:22 PM, Ittaku said: I believe it would then depend on the output impedance of the source components as they'd be the drive and the input impedance of the power amp. If that relationship is borderline to begin with, a passive pre will be more detrimental, and cable length more critical (especially after the pre). Assuming a normal CD player tuner DAC and phono stage, all have sufficient impedance. What you are missing is that a good passive pre does not have to follow equal resistance in the series and shunt elements. Rather each can be tailored to suit the source component. It truly is a travesty that the majority of passives go no further than providing a switch and linear or log potentiometer confounded by having audio signal with contacts. I have been doing the opposite providing a passive suiting the majority of audio systems where the passive pre, is contact-less and no longer has such limitations. you can see comparison to normal potentiometers in this early review from 2016: To use a passive Its a simple recipe have your power amp with sensitivity matching the RMS level of the source and with fixed resistance greater than 20k Here we see the RMS level of a flac file in light blue showing RMS voltage to be +/- 350mv which matches then to the majority of good power amps where sensitivity sensibly for full output is 1v or less , 500mv being ideal. It bears repeating that Quad the famous amplifier manufacturer have been providing power amplifiers for over 54 years the same. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 (edited) At some point it must get hard as a commercial entity to toe the fine line between posting facts and making it sound like an indirect advertisement. I feel for you. (Full disclosure: I've recommended your products on a few occasions.) Edited January 24, 2021 by Ittaku 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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