2. amps-preamps
  3. 1410104202

Which preamp? Opinions? Suggestions?

Hello Everyone,
I'm just getting back into audio after many years away. I managed to buy a mint set of Infinity IRS Betas. I will be driving the mid/high towers with a pair of VTL 450 monoblocks and the woofer columns with a Phase Linear 400. I have not chosen a preamplifier yet. I have been looking at CJ, Audio Research and McIntosh. I would probably buy something pre ownded on this site. Any thoughts or suggestions out there? I know everone has their own taste in what sounds best but I'd like to hear what everyone has to say.
Thanks.
128x128c421c
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
C421C, from what I've Googled the Phase Linear 400 has good performance to be used as a bass amp. Wattage, current, and damping factor.
Sure there are better today, but what you've got is ok for bass, mids and highs are most probably rubbish.
Just use it as I've outlined above and all your up for is the $49 for the Schiit passive preamp, I'm sure you'll be happy.
Then later on get a better amp for the bass, maybe a class d, as that's all their good for as well.

Cheers George
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
The traditional favorites driving IRS-Beta's were big Threshold or Krell Class A amps driving the bass columns, with ARC tubes driving the midrange/tweeter panels. In that setup, I would go for an ARC tube preamp. In your situation, for synergy I would go for either a VTL TL7.5 Series 3 (if you can afford it) or TL6.5 Series II. Apparently the TL7.5 sounds more like a pure tube linestage, but with the desirable qualities of a good hybrid linestage such as low noise, linearity etc.
jnovak's avatar
jnovak
181 posts
 
with the Classe CP800, you have the ability to eliminate the crossover and get a shorter signal path. I own one and it's great! Joe
czarivey
4,494 posts
 
why do you need class A driving bass columns?
class D can do much better job.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
@Czarivey, D=duck.
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