I get it the EMIA unit is spendy.
Icon makes a AVC the price point is significantly less than the EMIA—still not inexpensive. I've read that they use Dave Slagle's autoformers in them, I have not confirmed that.
https://www.passivepreamp.com/product/icon-4-pro-unbalanced/Doug, yes it does hook up just like a standard preamp... There are some things to be aware of though, see below.
Currently my DAC and ZP3 go into the EMIA. The EMIA has two outputs (in parallel) One output goes to the amp the other to the ZBOX to the sub amps. In a bi amp setup you will connect each amp to the outputs.
I wrote to someone else in a PM about the EMIA Remote Autoformer, this is a copy and paste of part.
I’ve been smitten with the autoformer ever since I first heard it. For practical purposes the autoformer is silent. Technically it does add some noise, the same way an interconnect (RCA or XLR) will add noise. I hear you on being a remote guy, I am too!
The EMIA autoformers and DECWARE are a match made in heaven of the audio gods.
I did have a CSP3 w/25th mods. It is a terrific pre amp I highly recommend it. The EMIA doesn’t have the tube magic it has the transformer magic! Dave’s transformers are considered by many consumers and industry professionals to be the best in the business. The speed of the EMIA is incredible, it's the number one difference between the two. Makes the CSP3 sound like it’s on a Sunday stroll.
There is a distinction about speed I want to make. When the system is fast it is naturally harmonically rich. Separation is about phase. If a component is fast, it will output more accurate phase information—leading to better separation and sound stage.
The way the EMIA can render sound-music-instruments in space awe inspiring.
Granted the EMIA is just one component of a very complex system. If I had all the money in the world, there isn't another preamp I would consider.
I have the copper version, my brother has the silver. We have not compared them yet. We did recently move near each other so in the future we will be comparing them.
The only thing the CSP3 has over the EMIA is the ability to tube roll and change the sound. I’ve never wanted to change what the EMIA brings to the party.
The EMIA is a key component in the enveloping nature of my system.
As a side note, my brother had the PS Audio BHK preamp. When we put the CSP3 up against it we both instantly preferred the CSP3. When he heard the EMIA he ordered one the next day.
If you do go the autoformer route. One thing you must be aware of is you need to have a good match of impedance between the source and the amp. 1,000 ohms from the ZP3 to the 47,000 ohms of a ZROCK works great. 100,000 ohms of a DECWARE amp is fantastic. No real difference in response. If you had 1,000 ohms output into 10,000 ohms input you will get frequency roll off.
My DAC is ~50 ohms output so I’m guessing I could drive a 20,000 ohm input amp no problem. 10,000 ohm might be iffy.
The practical issue for me with this right now is, I’m adding 2 GR-Research Servo Subs. The amps are 10,000 ohms input. That means when I have 100,000 from the amp and 10,000 meaning the source “sees” 9,100 ohms which will make the frequencies roll off a bit in the bass. I solved this by adding a ZBOX (47k ohm) between the EMIA and the Servo amps. I can also try running high level into the Servo amps as well. Then the impedance matching will be moot.