Best solid state preamps around $15k used with remotes

[djsina2]

Leaving out a volume control remote because it would be detrimental to sound is pseudo science and a pain in the ass

Mentally detrimental for sure.

 

[yuhengdu]

Soulution preamp. Superb, especially if you have a valve power amp

Cool, I see a soulution 520 preamp for sale at audiogon. I don't need the phono that comes with it though since my stack is digital. Have you compared soulution preamp to other ss preamps or tube preamps? I am trying to get a bit more impressions of it. Thanks.

 

[bonzo75]

Cool, I see a soulution 520 preamp for sale at audiogon. I don't need the phono that comes with it though since my stack is digital. Have you compared soulution preamp to other ss preamps or tube preamps? I am trying to get a bit more impressions of it. Thanks.

http://zero-distortion.org/soulution-pre-kr-va-200/

 

[pdubya]

Soulution preamp. Superb, especially if you have a valve power amp

+1
All 520s have phono, and it gets high marks for what it is. I never used mine, but never say never ...

 

[hogen]

What is the best solid state preamps you ever heard under $20k used price? A remote volume control is required. I am interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Burmester

 

[Elliot G.]

you might be able to find a CH L-1 preamp for that or a little more which is fantastic and has a nice small remote.

By the way the NEW Esoteric Preamps are quite good and you can buy new.

 

[analyzer]

Another option is the Emmlabs PRE flagship.
A friend of mine with a long experience had recently purchased it after a few days of trial; we discussed about the lack of grain, the superbly low distortion and wonderful tonal palette; at this time we both had the same linestage.
It's interesting to point that many superb High class linestage have in common similar specifications, especially the low gain of amplification; the Emmlabs does not make an exception with its 6 db gain only.
I never seen one in the used market, never Say never... With a 25000 usd official price you must find a unit at approximately half this price or towards the upper limit of your budget.
Just my two cents
Marco

 

[montesquieu]

See if you can have a listen to an Audiopax ... I've been extremel happy with my Model 5 but if you really must spend more mone then the L50 is superb, I had that on loan while my Model 5 was being built.

Mine is in an otherwise all-tube system but fits in beautifully.

 

[pdubya]

Speaking of remotes, the Soulution’s is a nice palm-sized one that won’t break anything if dropped. There’s a useful -20dB button for when the phone rings.

Also, the 520 is inherently a single-ended, not fully balanced design, which might be preferable with the Wells.

 

[pdubya]

Another option is the Emmlabs PRE flagship.
A friend of mine with a long experience had recently purchased it after a few days of trial; we discussed about the lack of grain, the superbly low distortion and wonderful tonal palette; at this time we both had the same linestage.
It's interesting to point that many superb High class linestage have in common similar specifications, especially the low gain of amplification; the Emmlabs does not make an exception with its 6 db gain only.
I never seen one in the used market, never Say never... With a 25000 usd official price you must find a unit at approximately half this price or towards the upper limit of your budget.
Just my two cents
Marco

Scott Walker had a dirt cheap dented PRE for sale but looks like it's gone now. Frankly, the Pre2 is not a bad option. I use one with Classe monoblocks to drive Revel Salon2's -- sounds great to me on all types of music.

 

[analyzer]

Scott Walker had a dirt cheap dented PRE for sale but looks like it's gone now. Frankly, the Pre2 is not a bad option. I use one with Classe monoblocks to drive Revel Salon2's -- sounds great to me on all types of music.

I agree without reserve! Actually I have in my system the Pre2 by Emmlabs that I find really excellent and well balanced in overall spectrum. My friend here in Italy that also had the Pre2 replaced it with PRE (the flagship of the brand priced almost the double...).

 

[sbo6]

Oh I mean the preamps. Yes I like the innamorata signature, great amp.

Apologies. VTL and VAC make great preamps reasonably priced on the used market that I've heard. Also, CH Precision.

 

[CKKeung]

The Westminster Lab Quest preamp.
Net price will be near usd15k.
Products of 2020 of both monoandstereo.com and HighFidelity.pl .

 

[CKKeung]

I auditioned it at the HK dealer showroom.
It performed at a Bespoke copper passive preamp level.

 

[RaChiK]

I auditioned it at the HK dealer showroom.
It performed at a Bespoke copper passive preamp level.

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Is there a way to buy in US ?

 

[Verdier]

My recommendation is:

Trinity Reference Preamp

Preamp – Reference Line

From my personal experience, I would say: Trinity, Bespoke and CH L1 are really good preamps (and they are also in the price range you mentioned). But you won't be able to avoid trying these preamps in your system. I don't think it's a good idea to buy a preamp in this price range "blind" without first trying it out with the amp it's going to drive.

In my experience, the Trinity sounds with more body than the other two. They have a slightly different character - it's up to you to try them out.

 

[Skanda]

everyone is gonna mention what they have as best but i'm gonna throw in another vote for the soulution. i have the 721 as i don't need phono either...man, this preamp does it all so so so good. dynamics, resolution, tone. if you're looking for a preamp that adds a tonal character then this aint it. the ch l1 is an excellent choice too and between the two it depends on musical taste and amp/speaker choice. if you dig through my post history i wrote a comparison of the two.

for what it's worth, i know audio products depreciate esp the uber swiss stuff. but when i see what these soulution pre's go for on the usual sites i just shake my head because its a really really hard pre to best.

 

[PeterA]

I’m biased, but for SS my Pass XP 32 is pretty nice. It can be found used for your stated budged. It has a wonderful remote.

 

[PeterA]

Double post

 

[heihei]

Another vote for CH L1, or Audionet Stern