2. amps-preamps
  3. 1134970550

Need help with preamp purchase

What I have so far.
cd ayre c5xe
amp h20 S250

Looking for an active preamp with balanced connections. Has to have a remote. I will also concider a passive pre with the above features. The most important thing is that it has to mate well with the h20. Price wise I'm concidering $5000 - $6000. I can go a little above $6000 but not by much. Oh and no tubes at all!!! Come on guys voice your thoughts!!!
chadaudio816
nhtran
45 posts
 
B/c of the low input impendance of the ICE modules, there may be compatability issues w/ a passive preamp.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
The H20 won't work well with a passive preamp. Why don't you buy the "Fire preamp" from Henry the designer of the H20 amps?

Dave
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Any of the Blue Circle BC3 model preamps can be made fully balanced with remote controls. This includes the BC3 Despina, BC3 Galatea, and BC3000 (all new Mk2 versions).

The BC103 is a solid state preamp is also fully balanced and can be made with remote volume controls.

The BC3's are tube which you've said you don't want. Can I ask why? BC tube preamps are pretty much maintenance free. New tubes once every 3 to 5 years and not harder than changing a light bulb. $60 to $100 each time, assuming you keep it that long.

I am an authorized Blue Circle dealer. Contact me if you like for more information.
audiofankj
373 posts
 
The Rowland Synergy IIi may also be a consideration if you want balanced as well as no tubes. I have heard high praise of the Placette preamps also mentioned above.

I personally use the First Sound Presence Deluxe Mk II with my H20 Sig monos, but the First Sound is single ended only and has tubes.

You will not want a passive preamp to mate with the H20's.
chadaudio816 OP
13 posts
 
kurt_tank
I have looked at the ayre. And have read the latest review from enjoythemusic.com, I think that's it. From the review it sounds like the guy really loved this pre. My only question would be if it would mate well with the h20. I don't have a glue of what the specs mean.

Teajay
The same thing with the Placette dual active line stage, mating with the h20.

Sogood51
I think my top choice would be the fire pre. With the Ayre in second. I'm going to see if I can talk to henry about it. I don't think it's up for sale though since it's not on his site.

As far as tubes, I'm not a big fan ever since I tried a tubed cd player. The cd player dimmed the highs and made the lows sound slow, not in pace with the music, and had no attack at all. The only think that I loved was the mids, tubes are great with voices. I can't remember the name of the player.
Thanks for you responses guys.
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