[CompetentAccident]

I'd love to know the consensus on which TOTL solid state amps are also known to be excellent preamps for speakers? My DAC is Ferrum Wandla GSE and I'm running active Buchardt A500s from its XLR preamp outputs and (despite an additional ADC>DAC step internally) it's sounding really great to me – noticeably improved vs the Platin wireless hub.

My intention is to get a great HP amp that can double as a preamp so that I can bypass volume on the Wandla and have one connection to the amp to control volume and switch between headphones and speakers. Currently I have Focal Stellia but am interested in checking out some ZMFs, likely Caldera and possibly Atrium Closed (as an upgrade from Stellia).

Holo Bliss appears to be a top contender – what else should I be considering? I could be wrong but I believe that Ferrum Oor isn't a great solution as, unlike Bliss, both the headphone and preamp outputs are active at all times rather than switchable.

Budget is Holo Bliss-sized +/- $1K or so unless there's a highly compelling reason to spend more. Not looking for tubes at this stage and no need for a built-in DAC

 

[Duncan_McCloud]

RME ADI2DAC is regarded by most as an excellent preamp.

 

[CompetentAccident]

RME ADI2DAC is regarded by most as an excellent preamp.

Thanks but I think the AD12DAC is a DAC with preamp outputs, which I already have (Wandla). It doesn't appear to have analog inputs.

 

[MindBreak]

It is well under your budget, but I would also take a look at the Schiit Audio Mjolnir 3. I use mine to drive my ZMF Atrium Open as well as Arya Stealth. It is also a great preamp as long as you don't need a remote.

 

[dunring]

I have a Topping A70Pro and it's nice with presets. You can assign everything independently with memorized volume levels for preamp and the different headphone jacks. The remote can set the main button to toggle inputs or outputs. It's got 12v support if your other components have it. The spectrum analyzer is really handy for doing equalizing too. I thought it was just a flashy novelty until I started using it to tune profiles by ear and watching the display.

 

[CompetentAccident]

It is well under your budget, but I would also take a look at the Schiit Audio Mjolnir 3. I use mine to drive my ZMF Atrium Open as well as Arya Stealth. It is also a great preamp as long as you don't need a remote.

Thanks, I'll take a look! Good point about a remote: definitely nice to have, bordering on necessary I think.

 

[CompetentAccident]

I have a Topping A70Pro and it's nice with presets. You can assign everything independently with memorized volume levels for preamp and the different headphone jacks. The remote can set the main button to toggle inputs or outputs. It's got 12v support if your other components have it. The spectrum analyzer is really handy for doing equalizing too. I thought it was just a flashy novelty until I started using it to tune profiles by ear and watching the display.

Yes, A70Pro is definitely a contender and at a great price, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Brainiac9000]

Check out the ifi Pro iCAN or the Pro iCAN Signature. I have the original Pro iCAN and it has an excellent pre-amp. You can switch between solid state, solid state/tube, and full-on tube settings. You can also play with the tuning and add more bass as well as holographic space to for a wider sound stage. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on the Pro iESL (electrostat engergizer) and pair it with the Pro iCAN, you can also use that to power your speakers directly. I haven't gotten around to hooking up the Pro iESL to my speakers yet, so I can't really speak to its performance, but it is an option.

 

[CompetentAccident]

Check out the ifi Pro iCAN or the Pro iCAN Signature. I have the original Pro iCAN and it has an excellent pre-amp. You can switch between solid state, solid state/tube, and full-on tube settings. You can also play with the tuning and add more bass as well as holographic space to for a wider sound stage. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on the Pro iESL (electrostat engergizer) and pair it with the Pro iCAN, you can also use that to power your speakers directly. I haven't gotten around to hooking up the Pro iESL to my speakers yet, so I can't really speak to its performance, but it is an option.

Awesome, thanks, this is one I had run across as well. Tube option is intriguing (without the risk of falling into a tube rolling rabbit hole) and great to know the preamp is top class as well.

Have you had the chance to compare yours to any other amps? A local dealer has a special on the Burson Soloist Voyager which is another potential contender but it's not a brand I'm familiar with, despite being relatively local to NZ!

 

[Brainiac9000]

No, sorry I have not. My only other amp with preamp is the Gustard H20 and I never tried the preamp out on it. Now you have me curious though. That model is discontinued, but Gustard amps and dacs are some of the best I've tried in that price range and the newer models may be an option worth exploring.

 

[Tekk59]

personally, i would add a violectric v281 to your list.

 

[CompetentAccident]

No, sorry I have not. My only other amp with preamp is the Gustard H20 and I never tried the preamp out on it. Now you have me curious though. That model is discontinued, but Gustard amps and dacs are some of the best I've tried in that price range and the newer models may be an option worth exploring.

Thanks, will take a look at Gustard's latest too!

 

[CompetentAccident]

personally, i would add a violectric v281 to your list.

Looks like a no-nonsense option, thanks! I should have mentioned it in my original post but I think a remote is a requirement – at the moment my gear is just about in arm's reach but that may not always be the case.

 

[usery]

Thanks, will take a look at Gustard's latest too!

I too am looking at the Gustard H26, which appears to have a preamp that fits your spec. Remote included.

Favorable headfonics.com review here.

 

[Angel III]

If you have the opportunity, try the Lehmann Linear.