[pav13]

I am upgrading my gear from an entry level HT NAD receiver.  I have just purchased a Parasound A21 amp, and have realized that I need a preamp to do it justice.

While I search (and save) for a preamp, am I better off

1) using the NAD receiver as a preamp
2) Use my headphone dac/amp as a preamp - I have the ifi Micro Black (https://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-idsd-bl/)
3) None of the above - and should scrambling to find another preamp to use in the interm?

Thanks!

[JohnR]

If you have the iFi then it seems to me you should at least try it, but you may want to ask here - https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=161.0 ?

[Cacophonix]

Try it and you may be perfectly happy with it.
I’ve the micro BL and used it to drive my active speakers without any issues. It sounds very good.
I replaced it with full  sized preamp just because I’ve multiple sources and want a remote.

[JLM]

Was on the iTube2 ($300 small form tube preamp) tour, wrote up a review and posted to the iFi circle as instructed but now can't find it (?).  Anyway in my over matched rather purist system an audiophile friend and I didn't like it:

1.) SET/push-pull option was it's most valuable feature, but not interested in coloring the sound and don't need a buffer;

2.) 3D feature just smeared the soundstage (note I listen midfield to professional monitors);

3.) Bass boost was way overkill in my setup and I'd deem in most any half-way serious setups.

Might be of some use if you have a low-fi system that you can't afford to dump and start over or have a preamp/power amp impedance mismatch. 

[OzarkTom]

In my system, the Itube 2 was great, no complaints here. It is nice to have a money back offer to try it in your system. Components can be system dependent. Music Direct offers 60 day money back return.

It even worked great with my $25, 000 Zellaton speakers.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Save your money and pair it with a used (and excellent sounding stereophile class A preamp) Parasound JC2 preamp for synergy or pair it with a good tube  preamp.  I own an A21.  If on a budget, look at the AVA Transcendence 10RB tube preamp.   Frank Van Alstine can adjust the output impedance to match the input impedance of the A21.