What preamp goes with sim audio w-5?

Preamps I have found are important to the over all sound in a system. So first off I'd recommend taking care in picking what sounds best to you.

The second thing is that different people have different tastes for what they like in sound quality, so be careful with what people recommend, because what they like is not necessarily what you will like. I won't make specific recommendations unless you can tell us what kind of sound you prefer. Is is fleshy, full sound, or warm sound, or neutral sound? Are you willing to give up a little bass response to get the above, or not? No preamp does it all.

I have the W-5 preamp, and auditioned a few preamps in my system. For me a tube preamp was the way to go. I found my system with all SS gear too much on the harsh/analytical side of sound when listening to CD's. As has been mentioned above, this setup only played a few reference CD's well, and was too unforgiving of most music.

So my first recommendation is tube preamps. Although with vinyl use, you may not consider a tube preamp even necessary.

As for the W-5, many people recommend a fully balanced preamp because they say the W-5 sounds best with a fully balanced signal. I went this way myself. So that will knock out a lot of preamps. Remember to look for fully balanced units if you go that way, rather than just preamps with an XLR output.

I have the Cary SLP 2002 (a fully balanced tube preamp) and am happy with it. It isn't tubey sounding like some preamps I've listened to, but it isn't quite as neutral as many of the newer 6H30 tube preamps are either.

Good luck

kw.........

One must remember that a system only reflects what it is fed!If you have a high resolution component that is linked with flawed cabling ( Sim stuff is very sensitve ),then chances are you have bad sound.I feel sorry for manufacters who design tdc and phase coherent gear only to have it hooked up with cabling that not up to the task.Some people feel that you can use brands on different parts of the system,this really opens up all sorts of issues.I have 2 friends who run a sim W-5 LE source direct and use all Virtual Dynamics cabling and are Married to the amps.I think that if you like the sound of the Sim amp then the Sim pre would be the next logical choice.If you like the sound of tubes then the First Sound would be my next choice,since this gives you very good dynamics as well as 3-d images and resolution.E.GO is the owner of First Sound and is a consumate Genlteman to deal with-Take care Dennis

Thanks for your help to all who contributed, just thought I would mention that since starting this thread I had purchased a sim p-5 preamp and have to say I am very much so content. I am hearing alot of detail the bass is full reaches the lower octaves horns come through in life like fashion, when listening to opera at times it sounds close to what it sounds like in the concert hall on vinyl that is of course, and it has a wonderful sound stage. I most highly recommend this 2 chassis preamp and think that for the money used it's a bargain. Also should mention that it is fully balanced.

Just thought I would post here on my own thread that audio experience a2se sounds great with the w-5.