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Suggestions for a pre amp with HT passthrough?

Looking to improve the 2 channel performance of my system by adding a 2 channel pre amp into the mix. As my music and movie enjoyment take place in the same room, I need some recommendations on great sounding pre amps that offer a dedicated HT passthrough. Ultimately I would like to try out both a tube pre amp (always been curious about tubes) and a SS pre amp so both suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.
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babydoc
12 posts
 
Pass Labs XO.2 would be a good choice. No compromise 3-box design. Very quiet. Excellent pass-through with unity gain. I have owned tube equipment and got tired of fooling with tube issues (all of them have tube issues). Solid state is more dependable and good designs last forever.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I will agree that the Pass Labs X0.2 would be a good choice for SS. I will also agree that SS is more dependable and good designs last forever. However, after listening to tube preamps, I cannot return to SS.
So you have a good SS reco, my tube reco would be an Audio Research Reference 3 preamp. As quiet as any SS preamp I've heard, but sounds better playing music, IMHO.

Cheers,
John
jaffeassc
166 posts
 
Two of the more recognizable manufactures, Conrad Johnson and Audio Research both offer HT pass through on their tube preamps from their entry model up to the more costly ones. I’ve tried the AR SP16 and currently own the CJ CT6. Both due a nice job (I prefer the CJ sound to AR) and I never had tube issues with either one.
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