[shadowlight]

Hey Everyone,

Looking for a preamp with following configuration (should have kept my Response Audio Bella L/P, but wanted to try something new).  Budget under 1500:

Remote Volume (no remote no go, remote input selection would be nice to have)
2 or more inputs
2 or more outputs (need the ability to hook up subwoofer)
HT Bypass (pre needs to be off when in HT bypass mode)

I will be pairing the preamp with either the Response Audio 3205 Extreme or B&O ICE 125asx2 based amp driving either Zu Soul Superfly Mk.1b or Zu Omen Def Mk.1b, down the road I have no clue which one.  Ones that I am looking at

Modwright 9.0SE with Tube Rectification (5687 tube, will have to research the tubes bit more)
Modwright LS100 (6sn7 based, bit over the budget based on Agon listings, has option to add phono or dac)
DeHavilland Ultraverve (most of them used have no remote and if remote controlled way out of budget)
Rogue Audio 99 Magnum (6sn7 based, usually has phono, no HT but can be added by Rogue who are about hr or so away from where I live)
Rogue Persus Magnum (12au7, HT Bypass, Phono standard)
Niteshade Beacon 2 or 3 (hard to come by on the used market, I think remote and HT Bypass option is available if ordered new)
Audio Experience YS-Audio Balanced A2 (recommended by Chris (lonewolfny42) and in the process of researching)
Dodd Preamp, will have to see what Gary has available

Some of the other ones that I have looked at had to remove from the list are:
Purity Audio Basis mk2 (6sn7/12au7 hybrid, rarely come on used market, new out of the price range, HT Bypass optional, would be a good fit )
Melody PB101 (out of price range, but recommended by Sean Casey as a good fit with the Zu Speakers that I have)

The only ones that I have heard are Melody PB101 (as part of the Melody Tour I hosted back in December and enjoyed it listening to it a lot) and Niteshade Beacon 2 when it was on tour couple of years ago and I do not remember the sound at all.

Right now I am running the Response Audio as an integrated and it is good a great job.

TIA

Edit: Forgot to add Dodd Preamp

[avta]

http://www.quicksilveraudio.com/products/remote.html        Quality products from a well respected designer and builder. I have their Silver Mono 88 amps. and they are impressive.

[Maritan]

How about a ( very unfortunately hard to find) TAD-150? I know, sorry, it's rare, but that's what I have and I have to give it a shameless plug.  I have the signature edition and it works very well. Has a remote that can change inputs, volume and mute the preamp. It has CD, Aux1, Aux2 and a Phono input if you ever get into spinning vinyl with a switch to comply with MM or MC carts. I haven't used the MC side yet, but the MM does very well.

It does have HT bypass, but it is implemented in the most unusual way, and it is usable with the preamp off.

[shadowlight]

Thanks the the recommendations.  Keep them coming. 

[roadkingraw]

I can highly recommend the ModWright LS100.  Amazing build quality!  Company customer service sets the standard!  Ability to tube roll if you choose.  Has every feature you are asking for.  But let's be realistic to the most important factor:  How does it sound?  In a word:  Amazing.  I could not be happier with a pre-amp.  There is a reason why Dan (ModWright) does not display the 36.5 as much.  The 36.5 is another amazing pre-amp, but the LS100 is pretty damn good as well, costs substantially less and also gives you the option of a phono board or dack.  Just my 2 cents.

[dminches]

+1 on the Modwright LS-100.  Great sounding unit.

One caveat.  I believe the unit has to be on for bypass to work.  That was the case for the original design.

[ricardojoa]

sure that no one will get the modwright with 1500 budget 

[S Clark]

I suspect this may be the best buy available for $1500.  I have an older version Dodd Pre that is the center piece of my system.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=114354.msg1196269;topicseen#new

Also, Gary is cash strapped to pay for his cardiac testing, so you could also help out a fellow AC member.

[AB]

I'm listening right now to a Modwright SWLP 9.0SE with the tube PSU.
I pulled it from the storage shelf along with a DNA500 and I am floored at how good these two sound together. It's very clean but still with some warmth and full bass.
The SWLP PSU has a Mullard 5AR4 4 notch rectifier and the 5687 are the usual Tung Sol versions.
The source is my Squeezebox Touch running the Touch Toolbox.
I used an HRT Streamer II+ as the DAC out of the Touch and it was a bit better than the Touch but not as much as I expected.
At your $1500 budget I don't think you can do better than the SWL with the tube PSU.

5687 tubes are pretty much all the same that I have found. Maybe a cryoed version was brighter but I have had several versions in various pieces and I haven't noticed any night and day differences.

[shadowlight]

sure that no one will get the modwright with 1500 budget 

Maybe not LS100 but I have seen plenty of 9.0 listed for under 1500 which include tube rectification.

[shadowlight]

I suspect this may be the best buy available for $1500.  I have an older version Dodd Pre that is the center piece of my system.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=114354.msg1196269;topicseen#new

Also, Gary is cash strapped to pay for his cardiac testing, so you could also help out a fellow AC member.

Thanks Scott.  If I do decide to buy a Dodd, will get it directly from Gary.  I just have to get around to calling Gary  to find out what is available. 

[gjm]

There's a SAS B11a in the classifieds which comes very close to your price point. No remote volume control, though.

(Yes, I do have one so I probably am biased!)

[ken]

Shadowlight:  I would offer to sell your Bella back to you but I'm enjoying it too much   Looks like there's some good suggestions here and I have personally owned the TAD-150 and can attest to how good a pre it is especially for the money, if you can happen to find one.   Good luck

[shadowlight]

There's a SAS B11a in the classifieds which comes very close to your price point. No remote volume control, though.

(Yes, I do have one so I probably am biased!)

Trying to simplify my life.  Folks always have good things to say about SAS but for me not having remote and dual volume control is not an option.

[shadowlight]

Shadowlight:  I would offer to sell your Bella back to you but I'm enjoying it too much   Looks like there's some good suggestions here and I have personally owned the TAD-150 and can attest to how good a pre it is especially for the money, if you can happen to find one.   Good luck

Yeah, miss the Bella

[mdfoy]

Shadowlight,

Which Bella did you have? 

Mike

[shadowlight]

Shadowlight,

Which Bella did you have? 

Mike

Bella L/P

[shadowlight]

Thanks Everyone.  I have decided to go with a Dodd Preamp.  Bit more than I was planning with the battery.