Forums - Preamp for Sarah

Lutry

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Preamp for Sarah
01/03/24 at 01:24:46

Finally I got the Sarah properly set up. I'm using an OpticalRendu > Pontus II > Sarah > Cornwall IV. I'm in day 5 of the breaking-in process, so not much critical listening until now.

I'm now looking for a pre-amp with a remote control. I've seen that the Freya+ appears frequently in the signature of members of this forum, but would like to ask here in this thread for other options that might be a good match with the Sarah.
Thanks

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Pontus II, ZROCK, Sarah, Cornwall IV

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Tony Seasoned Member Online "Life without...music is inconceivable" A.Einsteln Posts: 864 Berkeley, CA	Re: Preamp for Sarah Reply #1 - 01/03/24 at 03:50:26 Lutry, Congrats getting the system to where it sounds good to you. I found a CSP 2+ preamp that I liked. A couple months ago I replaced it with an Icon 4PRO, and have not looked back. I think it's worthy of your consideration with a Sarah.
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Kamran Seasoned Member Offline Sarah Posts: 1283	Re: Preamp for Sarah Reply #2 - 01/03/24 at 14:08:14 What Tony said.
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Lon

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Re: Preamp for Sarah
Reply #3 - 01/03/24 at 16:06:21

That said. . . I recently have discovered that a preamp actually made my system sound a bit worse in comparison to the SEWE300B without a preamp. Steve built I think the perfect preamp stage into the SEWE300B and I won't need a preamp again. A ZBIT, a ZROCK2. . . yes. They both add wonderful characteristics.

If you are truly needing remote control for volume, I would personally recommend the most transparent and neutral (perhaps passive or transformer based?) possible.

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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B,Dynagrid Jr;Rega RP3+all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls;Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori

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Lutry

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Re: Preamp for Sarah
Reply #4 - 01/03/24 at 19:06:53

It's interesting to see that two members recommend the IcOn 4. I believe only those following Srajan from 6moons know about this passive preamp as it's very niche. From what I've read, it's considered one of the most transparent preamps, which aligns with the point Tom was raising. It will be on my shortlist. Unfortunately, the price of the IcOn has increased quite
bit over the last couple of years.

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Pontus II, ZROCK, Sarah, Cornwall IV

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Tony Seasoned Member Online "Life without...music is inconceivable" A.Einsteln Posts: 864 Berkeley, CA	Re: Preamp for Sarah Reply #5 - 01/03/24 at 20:15:48 Lutry, Keep an eye out for a sale as a used preamp. I got mine for about a third less than retail. I took it on faith from reports on the Decware Forum that it would be a good buy. In addition, I was happy with what I had before, so it still seemed like a big jump. If you are not in a rush, you will see one pop up. Good luck!
Back to top	Alan Eaton MonoBlock \|SE84UFO25 \| CSP 2+ \| STR-1002 \| Ic0n4 \| Lumin Mini w Elite BDC MK II\| Carver C-9 \| Denafrips Terminator DAC & Gaia DDC \| Vera-Fi LNBH, SSZ, SDFB & AC Tuning X \| Decware I/Cs \| Decware Pwr Cbls \| ZWIRE Speaker Cbls \| Omega SAHOM & KEF KC6 IP Logged Share: Likes:

JHC Seasoned Member Offline Posts: 146	Re: Preamp for Sarah Reply #6 - 05/12/25 at 14:01:17 I am giving this a little bump to see if there are any other thoughts on adding preamps before a Sarah. I am on the list and considering adding a CSP3 but wondering if it may be redundant.
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naviros

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Re: Preamp for Sarah
Reply #7 - 07/22/25 at 17:46:31

I tried using my Luxman L507z as a pre-amp.

Sometimes it works, some tracks it just falls flat. It's really difficult to describe, but it almost feels like I'm listening to the negative feedback the Luxmans are known for.

It may be the tubes or the Sarah breaking in, but the wife also joined in after I removed the Luxman from the chain.

I'm considering the Spatial Audio Ravens. The customer reviews so far have been brilliant, and rather than just getting a Khozmo volume control, made some sense (in my crazy mind) to get this preamp to complete the Western Electric train. Grin

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Eversolo DMP-A6 > Holo Audio May > Decware Sarah > Mission 770

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JHC Seasoned Member Offline Posts: 146	Re: Preamp for Sarah Reply #8 - 08/07/25 at 22:24:51 The Spatial Audio Raven looks like an amazing pre. They are going to release a new 6SN7 preamp designed with Don Sachs, which should be interesting as well.
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markv

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Re: Preamp for Sarah
Reply #9 - 09/15/25 at 11:11:40

Hi Lutry -

A little late, but I've been researching preamps to go with my Decware UFO3's next year and have found a very transparent preamp that seems to meet your requirements - Benchmark LA4.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/hi-fi-preamplifiers/products/benchmark-la...

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1352-benchmark-media-...

Lots of good info on the company's website and on youtube.

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