I am putting a new 2 channel system together utilizing the Paradigm S8v3 speakers and Anthem Statement P2 amp. While I am open to different brands of solid state electronics, I was hoping to try and match a suitable 2 channel preamp with this Anthem Amp. I tried corresponding with Paradigm/Anthem via telephone and e-mail and came away empty handed. My A/V dealer does not specialize in 2 channel systems and they have been of little help. I want to investigate different brands of preamps prior to getting in my car and traveling to the various dealers. I am not interested in Anthem's AV pre-amp/processors as I do not need their video processing capabilities. I would like to achieve an open, articulate, non-colored sound. If there are any readers of this post that have direct experience with the Anthem P2 amp, I would like to receive your opinions as to which brands of 2 channel pre-amps I should consider.
I'm a fan of Mark Levinson preamps, but not the prices new. I've used both the 380 and the 320s Levinson's that I purchased on Audiogon. Specifically to your question, I've used the 320s to drive two of the channels from an Anthem P5, which given the architecture of the P2 and P5 is really the same a driving a P2. I used Revel Salon2's for speakers. The combination is excellent. I'm into clean, undistorted sound.
The 320s can be set at 0dB gain, a nice feature of Levinson preamps, for lowest noise and easily drive the P2 using the balanced input at the -6dB setting, again for lowest noise. Both components are of course intrinsically very low noise and low distortion. Stereophile has a review, with measurements, of the 326s online. The 326s has a better circuit board material for the main board, otherwise they are the same, including an excellent volume control. I'd go for either unit. 380's and 380s' are of course available used as well. I liked the 380, but I have no experience using it with a P2. The 320X's are newer and I would prefer them.