Preamp Suggestions

jmwest1970
jmwest1970 Posts: 846
edited March 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Yes. I know. Another "What preamp" thread.

Since this is my first step into the separates world I thought I'd ask some opinions. I've got my eye on 4 models and don't know which to go with. They are the Aragon 24k, Acurus RL11, Emotiva USP-1, or Jolida JD50A. Which ever I go with will be paired with a Parasound HCA-1200, and my source is primarily a Cambridge Audio DVD89.

Thanks in advance for you input.
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited March 2011
    I'm also looking (saving) to add a 2 ch. w/HT bypass and the Parasound 2100 has my attention.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAC2100
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2011
    a good used tube pre will go well with that Parasound.Just my .02. Good luck.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited March 2011
    Jerryj12 has a nice Adcom GFP-750 preamp for sale hundreds of dollars under Ebay and Agon value. They're bringing up to $850 on Agon lately.
    Someone better jump on it before he decides to keep it.
    Shameless "buddy bump" btw.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2011
    oh yeah,,forgot about that--has the remore as well--good pre--I've listened to it many times--for a ss pre,it's pretty neutral,,and thats a good thing.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    The 750 is excellent and if he's selling it for a great price, jump on it.

    A nice tube pre would be a good choice.

    Of the 3 solid state options you list the Aragon is the best of the 3, but if Jerry's Adcom GFP-750 is for sale that's the one to get.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited March 2011
    I would definitely like to include the Adcom GFP-750 among the contenders, but I'm not seeing one for sale anywhere at the moment. Also I don't know if it's in my price range. I searched for posts by Jerryj12 and didn't see anything here. If he has one for sale post a link for me please.

    Thanks.
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited March 2011
    george daniel wrote: »
    a good used tube pre will go well with that Parasound.Just my .02. Good luck.

    George,

    That's where I'd really like to go. My ideal would be a Dodd Audio Battery Preamp, but it's way out of my price range of under $500. Unfortunately I don't know enough to make a good decision on other tube preamps.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2011
    shoot him a pm,,I'll call him and let him know that you might be innarested
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    EMO? Seriously?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1304200224&/New-Dared-Sl-2000a-Pure-Tube-p

    This is a great tube pre-amp if you are looking for something w/basic connections. It becomes even better when replacing the stock tubes with nicer ones. I own one and am simply amazed with good tubes how it sounds.

    Just another one for you to consider if you really want to try tubes and it won't break the bank and sounds excellent.

    The audiogon seller Joe Zhou is a great guy to deal with and these are shipped out of Naperville, IL right here in the states. He is the US distributor for Dared so you can feel confident about buying from him and getting support after the sale.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    Not to be an Emo hater, but the choices you have and the other suggestions made I think would be better than the Emo. Haven't heard the Emo, but I have heard the others at different times and the Emo would really be the last option, IMO.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Not to be an Emo hater, but the choices you have and the other suggestions made I think would be better than the Emo. Haven't heard the Emo, but I have heard the others at different times and the Emo would really be the last option, IMO.

    H9

    I haven't heard it either, but I agree. It's in there more for the convenience factor of remote, multiple inputs, and being able to change the input via remote.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2011
    jmwest1970 wrote: »
    George,

    That's where I'd really like to go. My ideal would be a Dodd Audio Battery Preamp, but it's way out of my price range of under $500. Unfortunately I don't know enough to make a good decision on other tube preamps.

    Be patient and wait for something like a Wright WLA 12A,,they show up from time to time on A'gon/E-bay--jerry just sold his,,I have one that I may let go of,,just a suggestion
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1304200224&/New-Dared-Sl-2000a-Pure-Tube-p

    This is a great tube pre-amp if you are looking for something w/basic connections. It becomes even better when replacing the stock tubes with nicer ones. I own one and am simply amazed with good tubes how it sounds.

    Just another one for you to consider if you really want to try tubes and it won't break the bank and sounds excellent.

    The audiogon seller Joe Zhou is a great guy to deal with and these are shipped out of Naperville, IL right here in the states. He is the US distributor for Dared so you can feel confident about buying from him and getting support after the sale.

    H9

    I too am saving up for a nice pre and found your review on the one you mentioned here. Looks very interesting. I have to learn a little more before I take the jump into tubes.

    I would also suggest the GFP-750, I havn't heard any of the others.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    chandler9a wrote: »
    I too am saving up for a nice pre and found your review on the one you mentioned here. Looks very interesting. I have to learn a little more before I take the jump into tubes.

    If it helps to ease your fears, not much to learn. It's plug and play right out of the box. I recommend getting some better tubes, and I can help with that. It's nice because the 12AT7 is a relatively inexpensive tube in the 12A*7 family.

    You could get a nice pair of old stock 12AT7's for less than $50.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited March 2011
    Thanks H9. yes, I realize its plug and play:smile: I just get really confused at times reading about tubes. Maybe you're right, I should just get it, enjoy it, and ask questions later...

    to add, I really hate using an AVR as a pre, thats why I'm saving up for a nice SS pre like the GFP-750 which has the HT bypass. Maybe the Parasound 2100 since it can be found for cheaper but I've never heard it.

    Learning a lot here
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  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited March 2011
    If you can find a Classe CP series, or Forte pre, they are solid choices in your price range as well. There is a Forte Model 2 on AGon right now. Theyre excellent performers. I recently heard one pitted against a threshold model and the Forte was 90% of the it's big brother (forte was the sister company, and the Model 2 was under Nelson Pass as well). Needless to say I've since purchased one for myself. The price on Agon is good, but you may be able to talk him down $25.
    design is where science and art break even.
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited March 2011
    I have a hca 1200 also and had a hell of a time findind a pre I liked! Went thru 6 diff. Ones till a friend gave me a darad sl2000a se (2007 model) to try now its my first tube pre but once up graded to seimans tubes and now telefunlen tubes its incredible with the 1200. Everything I ever wanted!!! Don't know how it compairs to other tube pre's but it blows away every ss pre I've ever heard adcom, crown denon, even parasound ect. Nothing even comes close. Not expencive either. Well worth cking out imho!
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited March 2011
    Oh ya forgot the 2 b&k pre's I tried also-- still no contest to the darad
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
    edited March 2011
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1305828234&/Anthem-Pre2l-Tube-Preamp

    I prefer the silver of this but think it's a winner! You can find one closer to your $500 with patience.
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • CSM41
    CSM41 Posts: 55
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1304200224&/New-Dared-Sl-2000a-Pure-Tube-p

    This is a great tube pre-amp if you are looking for something w/basic connections. It becomes even better when replacing the stock tubes with nicer ones. I own one and am simply amazed with good tubes how it sounds.

    Just another one for you to consider if you really want to try tubes and it won't break the bank and sounds excellent.

    The audiogon seller Joe Zhou is a great guy to deal with and these are shipped out of Naperville, IL right here in the states. He is the US distributor for Dared so you can feel confident about buying from him and getting support after the sale.

    H9

    I have this preamp as well and can agree wholeheartedly with H9. As a matter of fact, at times (summer) I use it with a Parasound HCA 1500A amplifier. A great match. For the best sound roll both the 12AT7's as well as the rectifier for a huge difference. I use Shuguang Psvanes and an old school GE rectifier on mine. Oh, decent cables make a difference also. I use inexpensive Signal Cable silver interconnects that really give bang for the buck.
    #1 Pass F5/Dared Sl2000a/Nola Boxers/Basis Audio 1400/Audio Technica AT33EV Phono Cartridge/Cambridge Audio 640P-Hypno Modded/GF DAC09/CPU
    #2 Cayin A-50T /Hornshoppe Horns/Squeeze Box Touch/Simaudio Moon 100D DAC/Rythmic F12 Servo Sub
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    CSM41 wrote: »
    I have this preamp as well and can agree wholeheartedly with H9. As a matter of fact, at times (summer) I use it with a Parasound HCA 1500A amplifier. A great match. For the best sound roll both the 12AT7's as well as the rectifier for a huge difference. I use Shuguang Psvanes and an old school GE rectifier on mine. Oh, decent cables make a difference also. I use inexpensive Signal Cable silver interconnects that really give bang for the buck.

    I have rolled just about every type of 12AT7 and variant. My favorites are Valvo Hamburg tubes (especially the "D" getter) and Telefunken ECC801S and Raytheon 6414 black plate w/horse shoe getter.

    I've tried a lot of rectifer's as well. Old RCA 5V4G parallel black plate, D getter, GE 5V4GT inline plates, Sylvania 5V4G inline black plate, Valvo GZ32, RCA 5Y3GT black plate square getter, Bendix 6106 (5Y3 equivalent) and my absolute favorite that I have now settled on

    STC/Brimar CV 1863 (5Z4G) British Military issue from 1948. Absolutely superb rectifier in the Dared. I like the sound so much I bought 3 of them from a guy in Sweden. Brand new still in Military brown boxes from a bulk pack.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited March 2011
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I do like the Dared, but I need 3 inputs. I had my eye on a Rogue Metis on the the 'Gon, but someone else got there first. I did finally decide on an Arcam 9C preamp to start with. If it's not my cup of tea it should be pretty easy to flip. I really think a tube pre is where I'll end up, but I'm going to save my pennies so that I can get the one I want when I can afford it.
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  • CSM41
    CSM41 Posts: 55
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I have rolled just about every type of 12AT7 and variant. My favorites are Valvo Hamburg tubes (especially the "D" getter) and Telefunken ECC801S and Raytheon 6414 black plate w/horse shoe getter.

    I've tried a lot of rectifer's as well. Old RCA 5V4G parallel black plate, D getter, GE 5V4GT inline plates, Sylvania 5V4G inline black plate, Valvo GZ32, RCA 5Y3GT black plate square getter, Bendix 6106 (5Y3 equivalent) and my absolute favorite that I have now settled on

    STC/Brimar CV 1863 (5Z4G) British Military issue from 1948. Absolutely superb rectifier in the Dared. I like the sound so much I bought 3 of them from a guy in Sweden. Brand new still in Military brown boxes from a bulk pack.

    H9

    Care to sell me one of those Brimar's :biggrin:
    #1 Pass F5/Dared Sl2000a/Nola Boxers/Basis Audio 1400/Audio Technica AT33EV Phono Cartridge/Cambridge Audio 640P-Hypno Modded/GF DAC09/CPU
    #2 Cayin A-50T /Hornshoppe Horns/Squeeze Box Touch/Simaudio Moon 100D DAC/Rythmic F12 Servo Sub
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    CSM41 wrote: »
    Care to sell me one of those Brimar's :biggrin:

    Sorry, no :smile:

    These are similar only newer, probably from the 60's. I beliveve Keiko another member here has bought from this seller.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/1Pcs-NOS-STC-5Z4G-CV1863-RECTIFIER-TUBE-/300535862218?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item45f95553ca

    These here are the same only newer 60's more than likely. His description in the heading is correct, but the body of his ad is wrong. You can tell these are STC/Brimar from the Footscray plant. The plates are parallel and and curved with 4 large holes in each curved section.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Tube-5Z4GY-CV1863-BRIMAR-Akin-80-5Y3-U50-GZ30-/310305183994?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item483fa158fa

    Great rectifiers

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2011
    This would've fit your budget perfectly, and the price was a steal. It ended a couple days ago, but shows you great deals pop up you just got to be patient.


    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item230f2fbe8f&item=150578642575&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=FXcP7mkpN7weT%252FDr6ZFMFi1KZ8o%253D#ht_842wt_922
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  • CSM41
    CSM41 Posts: 55
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Sorry, no :smile:

    These are similar only newer, probably from the 60's. I beliveve Keiko another member here has bought from this seller.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/1Pcs-NOS-STC-5Z4G-CV1863-RECTIFIER-TUBE-/300535862218?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item45f95553ca

    These here are the same only newer 60's more than likely. His description in the heading is correct, but the body of his ad is wrong. You can tell these are STC/Brimar from the Footscray plant. The plates are parallel and and curved with 4 large holes in each curved section.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Tube-5Z4GY-CV1863-BRIMAR-Akin-80-5Y3-U50-GZ30-/310305183994?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item483fa158fa

    Great rectifiers

    H9

    Thanks!
    #1 Pass F5/Dared Sl2000a/Nola Boxers/Basis Audio 1400/Audio Technica AT33EV Phono Cartridge/Cambridge Audio 640P-Hypno Modded/GF DAC09/CPU
    #2 Cayin A-50T /Hornshoppe Horns/Squeeze Box Touch/Simaudio Moon 100D DAC/Rythmic F12 Servo Sub
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  • slk55amg
    slk55amg Posts: 305
    edited March 2011
    I use a Sony ES5300 as a pre/pro, however a very close friend has an Emotiva USP1, an XPA2 and a pair of LSI9,s ( he only does 2channel) he has had no issues with his gear and its sounds outstanding.
    Emotiva XPA5, Sony ES 5300,: Lsi 15,s LSIC, Monitor 70,s, ( side surrounds) FXI 3,s, (rear surrounds)Micropro4000, Velodyne DEQ 10, Sony 55inchXBR 930D Sony BDP 790 Bedroom rig SonyES 3200 RTIA1,s CSIA4 FXI3,s polk PSW 10 SONY 34inch XBR960:cool:SONY BDP550
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited March 2011
    FYI...here is a link to a list that is supposed updated for 'amps' (including preamps) that have processor inputs for HT bypass:
    http://www.audiophile.no/articles-in-english/articles--tests/item/426-amplifiers-with-processor-input

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited March 2011
    http://www.pacificvalve.us/MingDAMC7R.html
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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