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Preamp suggestions

I am looking for a great 2 channel pre with HT bypass for dedicated stereo listening.

My current system:
Bryston 4BSST
Bryston 9BSST (5 channel)
B&W 804S
Rotel RSP-1068 surround processor

I'm looking for recommendations on a dedicated 2 channel pre with great soundstaging and imaging.

I'm open to tubes, solid whatever for $3-5K, new or used. I recently hears a Plinius 9100 in my system and the soundstage and imaging were a huge improvement over the Rotel.

Thanks,
lovebug
lovebug OP
7 posts
 
On the solid side, any thoughts on the Tap-X vs. the Wyred STP? Very different approaches in a passive vs. an active.
keithr
950 posts
 
If you want to warm up your system, better move would be to go buy McIntosh amps which are natural fit for B&Ws.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
I have veen very very pleased with my Musical Fidelity kW Hybrid preamp. You can find nice reviews of it in Stereophile and elsewhere. A true tank, a great sounding tank. It combined what I liked most about active pres (the drive and oomph) with what I loved in the passive pres that I tried (detail retrieval). They do show up here used from time to time.
lewinskih01
793 posts
 
To reinforce what Keithr mentioned, I own 804S and used to drive them with all SS gear and got a McIntosh MC275 (tubes) and loved it, and later got a Lamm LL2 deluxe preamp, and loved it even more. The ergonomics of the Lamm aren't for everyone, though. I don't mind not having a remote and prefer to spend all the budget on the sound vs bells and whistles, but that's just me.

You should audition the 804S and tubes.

My two cents!
kclone's avatar
kclone
601 posts
 
If you want to wait and maybe save up some more money, the Herron VTSP 3a would be a great choice. I suggest giving Keith a call if there is any interest on your part. No affiliation or anything, just a huge fan boy of his pre.
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