preamp for vandersteen Quatro

Conrads1-

at this level of performance, you will want to audition the Ayre & ARC pre-amps for sure. Ultimately, if you like the ARC Ref 5, go ahead, and spring for the Ref 5 SE model. Clearly, there is a substantial difference in sound between the Ref 3, Ref 5 and Ref 5 SE.

Most importantly, which brand(s) of cabling do you plan to use in this system? Keep me posted & Happy Listening!

I use Ayre and Vandersteen. Personally, I would prefer an Ayre preamp.

"Most importantly, which brand(s) of cabling do you plan to use in this system? Keep me posted & Happy Listening!"

Why would that be more important than selecting a preamp? Maybe if you messed up and now have to fix a mistake, but in this case, it doesn't appear that the OP is making a poor choice either way. If you match your components properly, cable selection is easy.

Just saw this.  Conrad congrats on getting the Vandy's.  Which pre did you go with?  What is your system now?  Personally I use the Ayre AX5/Twenty and have the QX5 on order. Can't wait to hear it next weekend at Audio Connection/Ayre Northeast premier in Verona, NJ.  I'm using the AQ cables.  Loving the Castle Rock cable with the system.  

Would love to hear what you ended up with. Thanks  Pete

Thanks! for sharing- Pete.

will you be at Johnny's for the QX5 demo with Alex Brinkmann from Ayre?  I"m so excited about it as I need to hear this thing, lol.  My Empirical Audio DAC was pretty darn great, lol.