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In Reply to: RE: Help me scratch this preamp itch.... posted by ABliss on October 28, 2024 at 10:11:38
The only one I've heard on your list is the Benchmark. At first it seemed very dynamic and transparent. After extended listening the sound became forward and fatiguing. It was not a "natural" sound at all.
Any reason why there are no tube preamps on your list?
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
Follow Ups:
I have had tube preamps, and the tube rolling just wears me out, although I was thinking about the Rogue RP1.
If your tube preamp does not allow tube rolling :)
Yeah, Korg Nutube is irreplaceable and seems to combine the strengths of solid state and tubes.
Yeah, that's like the Vincent preamp, a tube that last forever. But what if it doesn't.
The Benchmark is remarkably neutral and infinitely transparent. Some might call it boring but it has no color of its own. Perhaps this is why so many reviewers have them in their systems. That and the fact that you can 'level match' each input to within 0.5dB so it makes for easy A/B comparison of source components going into the preamp. I think the Benchmark has one of the best user interfaces in the bizz. Very flexible but once setup you don't have to 'see' all those details and what you interact with on a daily basis is simple and straight forward. If you prefer a little 'personality' to the sound the Benchmark might not be for you. I had one. It was great.I am now running one of two preamps. The Schiit Kara at $699 is more 'robust' and 'full-bodied' vs the Benchmark with nice midrange and low-end punch. However, the user interface is very basic with a small metal remote control. The Volume knob position is hard to see from across the room but not a big deal for some. At only $699 you can paint a DOT on the Volume knob and not worry about it. And given your budget, $699 is a drop in the bucket and a low-risk audition for your system.
I also run the Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer/DAC/Preamp. The balanced preamp section with discrete relay switched resistors is excellent with user selectable 0.5db or 1.0dB steps. I like 1.0dB. The user interface is very good and the unit creates a nice sound stage. Not as robust sounding in the lower mids as the Schiit Kara but not quite as 'neutral' as the Benchmark.
I had the Pass Labs XP-10 many years ago. It was outstanding and I hear the XP-12 is even better. But are you willing to shell out $3500+ for a used one?
I have nothing against the PS Audio Stellar Gold but it seems a bit over priced to me at $4000. PS Audio will often put their gear on sale on certain holidays so you'll see price drops now and then throughout the year.... which instantly accelerates depreciation on units purchased at full MSRP. As someone already mentioned they have the higher-end BHK Preamp on close-out for $3500 which is 50% off.
Good luck!
Edits: 10/29/24 10/29/24 10/29/24 10/29/24 10/30/24 10/30/24
Thanks for your response Abe, I knew you liked the Benchmark, and I came close to grabbing one of the many used ones I see, but I was a bit scared it would be too sterile like the Topping pre90 I tried.
The Schitt is a bit too basic looking and no trigger output, a feature I have come to really like. I also had a hard time once trying to return one of thier dacs. Just couldn't get through to anyone, I ended up just selling it.
Anyway, I just spoke to PS Audio and they are giving me a $1000 trade in value on two items I was trying to sell for less. So I am getting the StellarGold refurbished preamp for $2000, with warranty.
So I think it's a deal I couldn't refuse. They never even asked the condition the equipment was in.
That's a great deal on your PS Audio Stellar Gold! Good buy at that price. PS does offer a nice trade-in allowance even on very old gear. Here's a funny story. They offered a big trade-in allowance on "any working DAC" but I didn't have one. I bought the cheapest $15 DAC I could find on Amazon and traded it in. This was many years ago. They honored my trade-in 'trick' but they have since 'fixed' their trade-in program so the trade allowance is based on the MSRP of the item you trade in.
The Schiit Kara does lack 12v trigger which is something I would normally use. In my case, the amp has audio sense so it will turn ON after detecting a couple seconds of audio on its inputs. The Schiit Kara sounds nice but it is VERY basic.
Enjoy your Stellar Gold preamp. Let us know how you like it.
I am surprised they give the original value, most dealers that take trade ins won't even give fifty percent of what you paid.
It will be my first PS Audio major component, I have only had thier power cables and outlets , so I am hoping it a real keeper.
I was turned off by the big clustered multi purpose remote at first, but the sales guy is replacing it with a much nicer simpler one from the Strata Intergrated amp,after I told him the big one was a deal breaker.
Hmm, I wonder if the Remote from the Strata will have all the necessary functions for the Stellar Gold.
I will often use a cheap programmable learning remote and program just the buttons I will need on a daily basis. This also keeps the original remote in pristine condition as I store it away with the batteries removed.
Don't laugh. I have a few these around the listening room. You program buttons on it by pointing your original remote at it. It 'learns' those button presses.
Chunghop Learning Remote $9 Amazon :
You can disregard the button labels and program each to whatever you want it to be.
That's a good idea with the cheap remote. The sales guy said the Strata remote does all the functions except one, selecting one of the xlr inputs, which I probably will never use anyway. So we'll see, can't wait.
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