Just ordered the Palmer. I didn’t notice the model name before…you getting a kickback on the MONicon? 
1 Like
Lol no, hopefully it’s what you are looking for 
Looks right. I’ll let you know
1 Like
Raising this discussion from the dead. Any recommendations for high(ish) end tube preamps? Balanced is a plus but kind of requirement.
Before I committed to an integrated, I had these guys in my short list.
What’s your price range out of curiosity?
1 Like
I’m thinking this might be used before a CFA3 and later potentially with the Zahl HM1.
Let’s say up to $5K if worth it?
There’s also @Rohdey WA33 (if still available) that could act as an amp of its own that works well with my chain so kind of added bonus I guess
Headphones only? 2ch only? Mix of both?
Primary headphones with intent to use later down the road with 2ch.
Main reason I started thinking of a pre is the fact I’ll likely be parting with my Enleum when the HM1 arrives next year (might not and still use the 23r for speakers if money isn’t a concern at the time). I believe the HM1 is more neutral leaning and I’d still want some color once in a while. Also wanted to try the CFA3 for a long time and that might be possible soon and that could also benefit from a tube pre.
1 Like
Maybe check out a LTA microZOTL preamp? I hear people talk very highly of the LTA preamps and plus you get a high end headphone amp in the same package, win-win!
3 Likes
Thanks everyone I’ll look into the recommendations here. I think it’s promising to see two people recommend the same preamp with no connection to the other
@orrman FYSA I use the LTA MZ3 as a pre amp. In all honesty it has not made it onto my desktop as HP amp yet and I’ve owned it for almost a year I think.
It’s a great HP amp, I’ve plugged into it but it also works extremely well as a pre-amp in my smaller 2 channel set up and since I find it MORE useful there it spends allot of time in that room doing double duty.
It takes just fine to some tube rolling and as a matter of fact after I received it, used, I needed to swap out tubes because I did not like the sound initially and it has been 100% since and trouble free.
The volume control clicks are loud…. even at the lowest setting the screen is bright BUT can be turned off completely if you so desire. The remote is excellent and works just fine. Not intuitive but not physics level difficulty either, I simply refer to the manual once in a while when I need to modify an operation.
In its price range based on my personal experiences I have no qualms about recommending it as a multi use unit as long as it fits your sound preferences and needs as a HP amp.
It’s not cheap and when spending that kind of money I have no problem recommending separates but for better performance in a pre-amp I think you would need to at least double its MSRP if thinking of 2 channel separates IMO. I’m no expert but that’s my gut opinion based on personal experiences.
5 Likes
Another vote for the LTA MZ3. I’m only using it as a preamp for my powered monitors right now, but I recently noticed that since I bought the MZ3 at CanJam Chicago, I’ve been listening to my speakers at least 90% of the time (compared to probably 30% speakers / 70% headphones before). The MZ3 has some magic going on that’s been causing me to subconsciously choose the monitors where possible, so my next purchase is going to be a desktop speaker upgrade, and possibly a power amp if the speakers need more than the MZ3’s 1W.
FYI, the LTA rep at CanJam told me that the MZ3 and the more expensive LTA Preamplifier have the same innards and should sound identical when used as a preamp. The only differences, as far as I can see, is that the Preamplifier has an extra RCA and an XLR input, and an extra set of outputs (which may be useful if you want one to feed a power amp and another to feed a sub). Also, the power supply looks like it’s built into the Preamplifier case whereas it’s a separate LPS for the MZ3, which I think is an advantage because it allows the MZ3’s case to be smaller.
So I would say that if you don’t need the extra inputs & outputs, the cheaper MZ3 is a relative bargain as a preamp.
6 Likes
Has anyone here tried an AVC preamp? Something like a icOn or emia? I know quite a few people who swear by them but the price tag makes it tough for me to take the chance and try.
1 Like