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I've had a WA22 for over 3 years now and think it is fantastic, as both a headphone amp and a preamp. I used it briefly with Pass Labs Alephs, UFOs that I've since sold, my current 300B amp and plan on using it with UFO25s that I hope to receive in the next couple of months. And if you're into tube rolling it is quite a playground. In fact I would say tube rolling is essential because the stock tubes, while perfectly usable, don't do it justice. And you can adjust the sound pretty much any way you want, from almost solid state clarity to old fashion tube warmth to anywhere in between.

And while I haven't heard the XP-12 specifically I'm a big fan of Pass Labs in general. It is not a budget option by any means, but would be an excellent option for SS that would go very nicely with a Decware amp IMO.

The thing about both of those is they are balanced, which I (strongly) prefer but you will need a plan to deal with if you are using them with a UFO. One option would be a ZBit, or my choice is to get two amps and configure them as balanced mono blocs. You also wouldn't be getting your moneys worth if you weren't using them with a balanced source IMO.

I'm also a big of Denafrips DACs. I don't know very much about their pre-amps but if you are considering Holo, you ought to give them a look as well.

Might want to consider:

*Backert Labs
*ModWright

preamps as well.

Seems these are on clearance sale currently direct from mfg to make way for the new version.

"Rhumba 1.3 linestage tube preamplifier: now on clearance for $3,600 "

https://backertlabs.com/rhumba-1-3-tube-preamplifier/

Do yourself a favor and give the EMIA or ICON a go. Autoformer volume controls are mind blowing good!

Once I heard the EMIA copper remote autoformer in my system it was a no brainer. Everything across the board was better and it added a bit of X factor magic.

If Steve offered Dave Slagle's autoformers as an option for built in volume control peoples heads would melt. Friends and families will call for wellness checks because it's so good you don't want to leave the room.

I had my Torii made with no volume control with the EMIA autoformer, it's the best synergy I've ever experienced in 20+ years of putting together hifi systems.

Yes this reeks of hyperbole however, there are 4 things I will not mess with. Room treatment, Torii MKV, Snake River Audio Cables and of course the EMIA autoformer.

GroovySauce and Kamran, have either of you compared the EMIA and icOn?

I have not compared the Icon and EMIA. They both use Dave Slagles nickle autoformers. My guess is the difference in internal parts, wire, relays and layout are the sonic differences.

If you are handy with a soldering iron and the idea of DIY is an option. Dave sells just the autoformers. He even has options that have a switch soldered in already. If you're comfortable with the DIY You could have a world class preamp, that will go up against 6 figure preamps all day long.

If you do go the DIY route I would suggest spending the extra money and getting a pre wired one.
https://intactaudio.com/atten.html

Dave is a great guy!

I use the Speaker Level Autoformer Modules for the attenuation on my speakers. I replaced the L-pad with them and it was a massive improvement.

For what it's worth, this is a killer deal. https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1693103206

Thanks info Kamran.  I'm definitely going to look into the icOn.  Been on the site already.

Thanks for the link pursuit now.  

Why not try a Schiit Freya+..... It will let you audition passive, active/SS, and full tube modes? Its dirt cheap, and scratched my itch as of late. I had several much more expensive preamps the most costly approaching $7,500 I sold them all out of necessity and purchased the Schiit as a temporary pre. I have found in the last 6 months or more that I am in no hurry to replace it. There's a ztpre here FS now and if I had the money I would get it as I owned one years ago.

Only your ears can and should determine what possibly is a lateral, backward, or forward progressive move. I do understand.

Good luck with the hunt.

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The answers are "it depends."

47 positions is probably fine IMO, but it really depends on how they are distributed across the gain range, and how picky you are about volume. My Decware amps had 20 step attenuators, and that would have been almost enough for me if I didn't have a preamp. For many years I had an AR preamp with 100 steps (and remote control, more on that below) and that was overkill. But YMMV.

As for remote control, I gave it up a few years ago when I ditched the AR for a Woo Audio WA22. I'm old enough to remember life without remote controls (not counting my little brother), and while it took a little while to adjust I'm fine without it now. But again that is me, and my preamp is 1 1/2 steps from my listening seat and I often get up to change CDs anyway.  

I have the EMIA Remote Autoformer 61 position is -54 dB to +7 dB in 1db steps. I've never wanted smaller steps. The 47 position is -51.25 to +5 dB in 1.25 dB steps. I don't see the 1.25db steps being an issue.

Here is the shortlist when I was researching Autoformer based passives:

EMIA
Ic0n
Townshend Allegri (they don’t use slagleformers but are very highly rated nonetheless)
Adding Pine Tree Audio to the list

I thought I remember reading somewhere about the voltage of the EMIA adjusting with the rise in volume, which is different that most passive preamps. Does this make sense?

Is it accurate to say the EMIA adds gain?

Ah, got it. Looks like the remote version offers an addtional +2db of gain.

I love my UFO25 but I find I need to have it at about 75% volume (sometimes more) through 95db speakers in order to fill my room with muisc at the volume I prefer.

I like the idea of adding gain without adding a tube preamp. I'm very curious about these autoformers.

No, not a problem per se, I was just surprised that I had to turn the volume up louder on my new UFO25 than I previously did on my UFO amp.

With all the talk about gain riding, I've been curious about adding a little more to my system.

I don't currently have a preamp (other than the ZROCK) so it's just the UFO25 set at about 75% the majority of the time.

My CSP3 is usually between 50% and 75%.

HiFi Bri,

I've got a spare ZStage I'm not using if you decide you'd like to try one out.
PM me if interested.

BTW, has anyone tried the Parasound JC2? It's received some very strong reviews and there are a fair number of them on the used market.

Cheers,

Paul