2. amps-preamps
  3. 1438629848

stereo preamp $2-5K suggestions

I have been a long time lurker of Audiogon forums but I don’t think I have posted anything yet. I am in the market for a stereo preamplifier. I am currently using my Arcam AVR380 as my preamp. The AVR is connected to a 250WPC Emotiva XPA-2 amplifier (input impedance 23.5komhs). I was interested in putting together a tube preamp to solid state amplifier system. I am interested in a tube preamp since I have always preferred to use guitar amps with tubes and I thought that some of that tube magic may apply to hi-fi as well. I have a budget of 5K yet would really like to spend 2-3K instead. (Who wouldn’t?) I am interested in new or used. I have liked my Emotiva amp and looked at the Emotiva’s XSP-1 preamp but I have not tried it at home. I may A-B the Emotiva preamp with whatever tube preamp I end up getting to see how good the XSP-1 is. I tend to use my Music Hall MMF 5.1 turntable / Grado Platinum 1 Cart. / Phonomena II phono preamp to listen to most music. I also tend to play a lot of music with female vocalists. I really like the voices of Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, Shelby Lynne and Olivia Newton John. However, I also play a lot of Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Willie Nelson and Steely Dan too. The most important aspect of music to me is the vocals and acoustic instruments. I like solid bass but not at the expense of good sonic texture in the bass. My current audio system (Vandersteen 3Asig speakers/Arcam AVR380/Emotiva XPA-2 amp) sounds good but not great. The sonic texture, dynamics and soundstage width are pretty good in my system but I do not get the 3D presentation I have heard in other systems where the instruments and vocals seem to be floating in space. I can hear the instruments/vocals in my current system placed side to side (2D) but I do not get much depth. I would like suggestions on tube stereo preamps that may get me closer to a 3D presentation of the music. I have been doing online research and saw the PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium Preamp that is new for about 3K. Is this preamp as good as many reviews say it is? Can it really compete with 10K preamplifiers? If there are any great solid state preamps that you think would also give me a great “virtually-there 3D presentation” (in the 2-5K range), I would like to hear about those too. Thanks all!
g_rogers
dbong
7 posts
 
I have and highly recommend the primaluna dialogue premium pre. It just gets out of the way and really smooths out digital. Good imaging and usefully low gain to so you dont have to live in the low range of the volume pot. Works great with solid state amps because output impedance is very low, under 250 ohms I believe. Most tube pres have much higher output impedance and are unable to get under the recommended 10:1 ratio of amp input to pre output.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"08-04-15: Milpai
3' from back and side walls is not good. Back and side distances should not be equal. Might be that is causing the issue?"

Highly unlikely. Right now the OP is using the preamp section of a HT receiver. If he wants good quality 2 channel music, he'll have to get that processor out of the signal path. Those things are terrible for music, even the expensive ones.
g_rogers OP
12 posts
 
Thank you all for the great suggestions. I will look into the Jim Smith book. (Thanks Sgunther) Earlier I gave a guess as to my speakers placement. (During a pleasant work distraction.) My speakers are 37.5" from the sidewalls and 34" from the backwall measured from the center-top of my speakers. However, in five minutes I will be tweaking the speaker placement and tilt to get more from my speakers.
g_rogers OP
12 posts
 
Dbong - Thanks for the primaluna dialogue premium preamp review!
The electrical components used in the primaluna are impressive.

Dbong - Did you get a chance to compare the primaluna preamp against any other preamps?
soix
2,133 posts
 
My experience with Vandys is they are among the best in soundstage, imaging, depth, etc. I also think the Arcam is probably greatly limiting what you're getting out of your speakers. That said, when the wife's not around I'd suggest pulling the speakers 4, 5, and even 6 feet into the room and see what happens to your depth of stage (and of course use recordings that contain that type of material), just for your own reference if nothing else. I bet you will hear much more of what you're looking for specifically in terms of depth despite the Arcam handicap. Others with more experience with Vandys may have more informed opinions on this, but 3 feet from the back wall would seem to at least somewhat limit the depth of stage you're currently perceiving. And getting a good stereo pre should greatly improve imaging, depth, etc. even further. Best of luck.
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