Need a little input for a new preamp.

Delta Wave · « **on:** 10 Jan 2012, 01:18 pm »

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new or used tube preamp with an exceptional phonostage. I have it narrowed down to two new units in my price range, The Mapletree Audio Ultra 4A SE or the Doge 8. I also have an old H.H. Scott pre available to me but it is completely stock and will need a bit of updating.

Anyone have any experience with any of these? I am also considering something used, with good reliability that I am unaware of in the under $1500 range. Any input would be appreciated.

neobop · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 03:38 pm »

You should check out Audible Illusions. This one is a couple hundred more than you said, but...

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/445261

Delta Wave · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 03:54 pm »

Nice, a bit to high for me though. $1500 is my hard limit. Gotta keep the wifey happy... err... not totally pissed.

Kinger · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 04:05 pm »

Maybe you could audition an AVA T8 with phonostage? Would be right around your $1,500 price point.

Delta Wave · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 04:20 pm »

Quote from: Kinger on 10 Jan 2012, 04:05 pm

Maybe you could audition an AVA T8 with phonostage? Would be right around your $1,500 price point.

That's being considered as well actually.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 04:35 pm »

You can find Rogue Audio 99 Magnums for under $1,500. I'm very happy with mine. No experience with the Doge or Mapletree though.

rollo · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 04:42 pm »

The CAT SL-1 has a primo phono stage. A great linestae as well. Older Conrad Johnson PV10,12 are also killers. Two different flavors the CAT is neutral the CJ rich.
The CAT will accept moving coil the CJ not unless HOMC. If you can find a Klyne SK5A jump on it. A classic in every respect. I have owned all of them.
It took a Loech & Weisner Preamp to trump them. Not cheap.

charles
SMA

Delta Wave · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 04:53 pm »

Thanks folks, good info so far. Anyone have any experience with the H.H.Scott updates from Soundsmith/Mapleshade? I can get a nice stock unit for about $400.

Indiansprings · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 05:04 pm »

I purchased an Audible Illusions 3A from a forum member here. Very nice preamps indeed.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 05:19 pm »

Unless you have a real need for an internal phono stage, why not go with a linestage and external phono pre. Get a little more isolation for the phono pre and allows you more flexibility as you get the itch down the road.

And at $1500 for a tubed pre, I wouldn't think you'd be able to get an "exceptional phono stage." A decent, solid respectable one, yes. But you might be asking too much for an all-in-one tubed pre. I could be wrong though. Hope I am in fact...

For a separtate tubed phono preamp, I'd take a look at the Quicksilver. Nice tubed phono (MM only) with a solid power supply. And very quiet in my system. $500 or so on the used market last time I checked.

Delta Wave · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 05:32 pm »

Quote from: roscoeiii on 10 Jan 2012, 05:19 pm

Unless you have a real need for an internal phono stage, why not go with a linestage and external phono pre. Get a little more isolation for the phono pre and allows you more flexibility as you get the itch down the road.

And at $1500 for a tubed pre, I wouldn't think you'd be able to get an "exceptional phono stage." A decent, solid respectable one, yes. But you might be asking too much for an all-in-one tubed pre. I could be wrong though. Hope I am in fact...

For a separtate tubed phono preamp, I'd take a look at the Quicksilver. Nice tubed phono (MM only) with a solid power supply. And very quiet in my system. $500 or so on the used market last time I checked.

I'm trying to simplify. I already have a very good balanced external phono stage but it's solid state and relegated to my PC for ripping vinyl.

My current pre is a modified Nakamichi CA-5, it's very simple, neutral and has an excellent phono stage. I just want the same in a tube pre.

Kinger · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 06:37 pm »

Whoops, that's one thing I didn't mention. The T8 is best used with MM or high output MC carts. (Think that is stated on their website.)

roscoeiii · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 06:55 pm »

No affiliation to seller, but noticed this Doge 8 for sale:

http://trade.AudioAsylum.com/ca/listing/Preamplifier-Tube/Doge/8/with-upgraded-tubes-from-Pacific-Valve/54062

Of course Pacific Valve has a nice return policy if it doesn't work well in your system.

Synergy is huge, as always.

Berndt · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Jan 2012, 08:32 pm »

I had the mappletree you speak of. While the preamp was good, the Phono section was nothing to write home about.
Another vote for a discrete Phono stage. Preamp and phonostage are two different kettle of fish. Especially in the sub 1k $point.

doug s. · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Jan 2012, 06:45 am »

w/a good tubed line stage, you will be fine w/using your s/s fono stage. simply move it when you need to rip winyl. and buy this:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/446606

killer preamp, imo.

doug s.

Delta Wave · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Jan 2012, 12:14 pm »

Quote from: doug s. on 11 Jan 2012, 06:45 am

w/a good tubed line stage, you will be fine w/using your s/s fono stage. simply move it when you need to rip winyl. and buy this:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/446606

killer preamp, imo.

doug s.

Nice, did I read somewhere correctly that it's dual mono?

S Clark · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Jan 2012, 12:21 pm »

The answers to your needs are Dodd and Vista. How are you with a soldering iron (even if incompetent, Gary will usually fix your mistakes for cheap) and how efficient are your speakers? The Dodd buffer kit is universally acclaimed as top of the line equipment for around $350. Get a good tube for $100. Then add a Vista phono pre for another $350. Spend the rest on vinyl.

Scott

Delta Wave · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Jan 2012, 12:30 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 11 Jan 2012, 12:21 pm

The answers to your needs are Dodd and Vista. How are you with a soldering iron (even if incompetent, Gary will usually fix your mistakes for cheap) and how efficient are your speakers? The Dodd buffer kit is universally acclaimed as top of the line equipment for around $350. Get a good tube for $100. Then add a Vista phono pre for another $350. Spend the rest on vinyl.

Scott

I had thought about using a buffer but again, I want to simplify. Do you have a link?

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Jan 2012, 01:03 pm »

Quote from: roscoeiii on 10 Jan 2012, 05:19 pm

And at $1500 for a tubed pre, I wouldn't think you'd be able to get an "exceptional phono stage." A decent, solid respectable one, yes. But you might be asking too much for an all-in-one tubed pre. I could be wrong though. Hope I am in fact...

I thought that too. But what I sold after hearing the Rogue 99 was my Counterpoint SA-5.1, which is regarded as having an exceptionally good phono stage. Salvatore Whats-his-name claims the Counterpoint to be one of the 10 best preamps ever made. My mileage varied with his statement and yours may with mine.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Jan 2012, 02:04 pm »

Watch out about the Dodd in your system. It is passive, so no gain. Many times a phono pre does not provide sufficient gain. Most users of passive pres are not spinning vinyl and have no worries since CD outputs are quite high. You'd want to try the Dodd to make sure it works.

Also look into the other downsides of passives if you aren't familiar with them. You will find many advocates due to their detail retrieval. But on dynamics and impact, they aren't as good as active. That was my experence with a Dodd in my system