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Need some pre-amp advice...

Hey there guys.

I need some pre-amp advice. I currently use a Lexicon MC-12B as my pre/pro, and frankly want to get it out of the loop for two channel processing. I need a pre-amp that will have the following:

Remote control
At least two balanced ins
Ability to drive Pass Labs X600s effectively
and the biggie *** must have *balanced* processor bypass.

That last one is a biggie -- there are not too many preamps that I have found that offer that. Ones that I am considering are:

Krell KCT
Pass X0/X0.2
Sonic Frontiers Line 3
BAT 31SE/51SE
Levinson 320S

I am not opposed to buying used -- my budget is ~6000. Could go lower, could go a little bit higher.

Speakers are Dynaudio Confidence 2, source is Wadia 861b.

I am not opposed to tubes, but there would have to be a compelling reason for them (no experience at all with them)

Thanks,

Blake
ablakeg
ablakeg OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for the advice -- I am leaning toward the Pass pre (X0 or X0.2) just because I love the way the two components sound together (amp and pre). I was wondering, though, has anyone had a chance to audition the X0 vs the X0.2? I know that the power supply capacitance was increased, and I believe that that is all the difference -- is there a large difference in the sound quality? I could imagine a difference in amps, if the power supply was increased, but pre-amps?

As you can see I am a complete neophyte when it comes to preamps, as I never really had the need to care about them. Now I do, and I find them extremely hard to track down the nuances of...

Blake
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Preamps are hard, probably the most difficult component to get right. SS are either dark-sounding or sibilant. Tubes can be very good, but can also be lacking in dynamics or LF extension/tightness.

My own reference is an old Mark Levinson #38 with extensive mods. This thing is bullet-proof, balanced in and out, remote controlled, .1 dB volume increments and 7 ohms output impedance. Totally programmable and somewhat intelligent. Sounds dark before mods though. Afterwards, it beats every SS pre I have heard, including the Pass.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
BTW - the ML #38 has processor balanced bypass. I use it in a combo HT/2-channel system myself.
aaronm's avatar
aaronm
99 posts
 
The X0.2 also added a 12v amp turn on circuit. I have heard both and bought the X0.2, not because of sound, but availability when I was ready to buy.

I had never cared to use the 12v kicker with the other amps, as I used to leave the other amps on all the time. When the XA160s came into the system I started using it. The XA160s run much warmer, so I put them into stand-by when they are not being listened to. Either unit should be an absolutely outstanding piece of gear in your system.

Unless you find an amazing deal on a X0, I would go for the X0.2, because it should be current for a while and you may sometime need the amp turn on circuit.

Best Regards,
keithr
950 posts
 
Tube preamp may be bad match with X600s due to the amps' low impedance...

I think btw, there might be better choices ampwise for your Dyns...
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