2. amps-preamps
  3. 1075710953

Which Solid-State Preamp under $7,000.00 New?

On the following list of solid-state active preamps under $7,000 new, or under $4,500.00 used, which is overall the most utterly transparent,least colored, balanced top-to-bottom, neutral, dynamic, open, and 3-dimensional? Which passes the signal with the VERY LEAST degradation to it?
1.ARC LS3
2.AYRE K-1x.
3.HERRON AUDIO HL-1
4.KLYNE MODEL 7LX3.5
5.KRELL KRC-HR
6.PASS LABS X 1
7.PLACETTE ACTIVE
8.SIM AUDIO P-5
Thanks for your responses!
daltonlanny
rayhall
393 posts
 
Drubin,

Did you sell your First Sound Mk II?
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,240 posts
 
No, still have the First Sound, which I continue to think is amazing. Just wanted to try out a Klyne. Part of the ongoing audio education. I wish they both had remote.
cdimi
20 posts
 
not familiar with us$ prices , my vote is yba 1 or if you can find used passion pre, even better..but from your list ayre or sim p5 ..drop pass labs have not heard the others.
it, all depends on the rest of system,and room,room treatment etc...ultimatly your ears
joejr
39 posts
 
Having own all the pre-amps mentioned on the list,with the exception of the klyne(auditioned as a loaner)
The Placette Active in my opinion as heard in my sound room is more musical and transparent then the others.
I used the Placette Active with both solid and tube amplifiers,and has always been a pleasure to use.
It's a keeper and for that reason you rarely see them up for sale.
600ohms
3 posts
 

A message like this surprises me when, as of the date of this post, we have not shipped any HL-1 Preamplifiers.

Keith Herron
Herron Audio
More to discover