[DARTH AUDIO]

I really like my deHavilland Ultraverve w/remote. I'm also a huge fan of the 6SN7 tube, and this preamp let's it shine. Big sound!! I've never heard the other preamps, so I can't compare sound. But I've owned mine for 7 years or so, and not once during that time did I ever think of replacing it. I also had Kara Chaffee(the designer who is great to work with) upgrade my caps about 4 years ago to Mundorf Silver & Oil caps. I also use the Sophia Electric 6SN7 tube.

I hope this helps and good luck with your search.

Gary

[Early B.]

Like I said I am not trying to 'fix' the harshness, if one of these preamps helps then it a bonus.  My wife would kill me if I bought new speakers...the preamp she won't notice    

Oh, OK. That makes perfect sense. 

[rockadanny]

Canada, eh? Perfect! Check out fellow Canadian Dr. Lloyd Peppard of Mapletree Audio. 6SN7/12SN7-based preamp: customized gains per input; point-to-point wiring; separate power supply; sensitive to tube rolling; simple, elegant, proven circuit; superb sound; stellar product support. You are on the right track with an octal-tube-based preamp. His are wonderful, inexpensive (brand new under $1k; currently has one of his models for sale), and I believe you get a trial period as well. Easy, since you're already in Canada!

I have his 2A/SE with upgraded caps. By far the least expensive piece of gear in my system, yet I've never considered selling it - it is THAT good!

http://hollowstate.netfirms.com/

p.s. I realize it is not one you listed, but in my search for a great sounding preamp, while researching the aforementioned UltraVerve I gained much interest in octal-tube-based preamps and ended up with the 2A/SE.

[Rocket_Ronny]

Chaos:

If you are computer based why not mess around wth some digital e.q. ? You might be shocked at what you can do.

Rocket_a little less at 3-5 khz please_Ronny

[Steve]

The dual-mono volume control is a dumb dumb idea.  The only reason to use this design is to eliminate the balance control and dual mono volumes make lousy balance controls (who uses balance controls anyway?).  Dumb dumb dumb.

Yes, dual volume controls do eliminate the balance control in series, thus fewer solder connections,
and resistive elements in the signal path.
 
Dual volume controls also maintain channel separation at high frequencies.

All Shindos uses dual volume controls as they have stated that they do not wish to compromise the music.
Just about everything makes a difference, including even the layout.

I think one has to make a decision as to whether one is willing to compromise the music, 
and how much.

Cheers.

[SteveFord]

I can't comment on the other models but the UltraVerve3 is a keeper.
Kara helped me mess around some with the output caps to get the bass toned down some for my system and I couldn't be happier.
The one downside is that you'll need around 1/2 hour of warm up time before it really comes into its own.

[S Clark]

I can't comment on the other models but the UltraVerve3 is a keeper.
Kara helped me mess around some with the output caps to get the bass toned down some for my system and I couldn't be happier.
The one downside is that you'll need around 1/2 hour of warm up time before it really comes into its own.

From everything I have read, these are all excellent preamps.  I'd look at flexibility (for me it's tube rolling), the units perceived area of strength (for me black background and detail), and who has the best bargain.

[richidoo]

I auditioned the 11A on tour a few years ago, it sounds superb, in a clean honest but musically satisfying way. Natural, accurate tone, with a touch of sunshine on top with 6922s. I could be happy with it, except for the dual volumes and no remote.

I have heard many 6SN7 preamps over the years, I always love that sound. I am lured by Chafee's approach, and lean toward UltraVerve3 w/remote for myself.

I haven't heard the other preamps you mentioned. I didn't really like the older Modwright preamps on the few occasions that I heard them.

A friend just ordered the newest Dodd VCP, he mentioned that is uses a quad of 12B4A tubes.

[wilsynet]

I've had the Modwright LS-100, the Dodd battery powered buffer preamp, and the Mapletree.

The Mapletree is fine for the money, but is a distant third in this comparison.  The LS-100 is meaningfully better than the older SWL 9.0.  I prefer the LS-100 to the Dodd, although I don't have any experience with Dodd's latest preamp offering.

The Dodd that I did have had great clarity, but didn't have the drive or body of the LS-100.

No opinion on the SAS, but dual volume controls irritate me.

[mrlittlejeans]

I haven't heard any of the preamps you listed though I did own a Modwright 9.0SE for a while. 

I'm currently using an Audible Illusions L3 which I think I will keep until it dies.  I am enthralled by its sound whenever I listen.  It has dual level controls and a single volume pot.  I was a little concerned at first about the dual level controls but find that it can really help, especially if one speaker sounds louder than the other due to room issues or possible gain mismatches in the amp.

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

The dual-mono volume control is a dumb dumb idea. 

Are YOU sure???

Yes, dual volume controls do eliminate the balance control in series, thus fewer solder connections,
and resistive elements in the signal path.
 
Dual volume controls also maintain channel separation at high frequencies.

All Shindos uses dual volume controls as they have stated that they do not wish to compromise the music.
Just about everything makes a difference, including even the layout.

I think one has to make a decision as to whether one is willing to compromise the music, 
and how much.

100% agreed.

Technically, the balance control (being a historic old school design since the 'invention' of stereo)
does compromise the stereo channel separation.
With today's HD audio, we can hear it. For the sake of better HD music, go for preamp withOUT any balance control.

In the DIY super-upgrade of my 50-year stock Dynaco PAS-2, the first thing I did was to remove the out-dated balance control - no more channel crosstalks! Who needs it?

Yes, 2 separate volume pots without balance pot is the way to go, musically & technically.

c-J

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

.... but dual volume controls irritate me.

How come?

c-J

[Ericus Rex]

Hi.
Are YOU sure???

Yes.  A quality volume pot and elimination of the balance altogether (isn't it just a band-aid for a problem elsewhere in the system?) will achieve sonic bliss without aural balance distractions ('is the right channel slightly louder than the left?', 'I would turn the volume up a bit but I might mess up the currently perfect balance', 'I wish I could have remote volume control except for these damn dual mono volume controls!', etc, etc.).  To expect two seperate mono volume controls to act or sound better than a quality stereo volume is wishful thinking.

[richidoo]

Dual volume controls generate anxiety because of the potential for error in image centering. You won't know until you sit down. If it's wrong then the emotional reaction to having to get back up will seriously compromise the music. The listener will wonder if the image is truly centered or not, perhaps with an emotional blip from feeling ignorant and out of control. Audiophiles are like that, they want to feel in control. They want it to be easy and they want to shed anxiety while listening, not add to it.  Whether it is an actual problem is irrelevant, it is a perception, which controls the purchasing decision. I think a single knob option would be very popular for SAS.

Personally I'd rather have UltraVerve's Goldpoint attenuator than a swept pot.

How is HF affected by sharing the same control axle?

[Quiet Earth]

Dual mono, matched stepped attenuators won't give you any anxiety over perfect centering. For example; if you turn the left side up two clicks, you merely turn the right side up two clicks.

I like the convenience of a dual mono volume control or dual mono stepped attenuator on one knob, but I would have no problem with two individual mono stepped attenuators. No way with dual volume pots though . . . that would drive me nuts. 

[wilsynet]

How come?

I should have been a bit more specific.  Dual volume controls with pots drive me bat crazy.  Dual stepped attenuators with a sufficiently large number of steps, that would be okay.

I had a First Watt B1 which has dual pots, and after 24 hours I had to get rid of it.  It was shortest time that a component ever lived in my system.

[Ericus Rex]

I like the convenience of a dual mono volume control or dual mono stepped attenuator on one knob

That was a great concept that went the way of the dodo.  I haven't seen that used since the early 80's and never in hi-fi.  Why?

Stepped dual-mono would be OK only if there were enough (very small) steps, as wilsynet says.  Otherwise, perfect centering might not be acheivable; you'd go from too far left to too far right in the span of a single click.  Are stepped attenuators matched precisely enough to guarantee exact output between the two at every step?  If not, then their purpose is defeated.

[JoshK]

I can't live without remote volume control let alone live with dual continuous knobs.  That would drive me bonkers.   I get the theory, respect the theory, but couldn't live with it.   I suspect I am not that alone.

[jtwrace]

I can't live without remote volume control let alone live with dual continuous knobs.  That would drive me bonkers.   I get the theory, respect the theory, but couldn't live with it.   I suspect I am not that alone.

I'm right there with you! 

[Steve]

It is really easy to use double controls. I believe Shindo has markings for
those who need them. Shindo does dual in all their preamplifiers because it is better, sonically.
All the more power to Shindo. Should no one go for the ultimate? Should no one manufacture
the ultimate? If that is the case, audio will reverse evolution. In fact it already is,
or at least staying stagnant.

The problem with most stepped controls is:

1) Gain per step, per click is often too much.

2) How does one balance it when the gain is slightly different per channel?

2) The number of solder connections and resistors in the
signal path is greater. What brand resistors does one use? Another compromise.
Really expensive to do it right with stepped controls.

Again, it is a matter of how much one is willing to
compromise with the music. Shindo is standing up
for the ultimate.

Cheers.