[GT Audio Works]

Any one familiar with the Mystere CA21 preamp.
They have been on back order for quite a while.
I have been waiting since January.
I know they have gotten some good press..maybe that's why the rush on orders ??
                                                                                Greg

[Hugh]

Greg,

They are a decent Pre-amp.

Not sure why they are on back order that long.
I know they were made in Melody factory when I visited there a while back.
Not sure who is making those now.

[jimdgoulding]

I remember reading a very positive review in the English press somewhere.  More than one, I think.  Try Googling it.  Certainly a handsome beast, imo.  Quite large and heavy as I recall.  The design is European (Austrian, I think, by a fellow of some re-known) only manufactured in China.  With my budget, it's one I would seriously consider if I needed a line stage pre.  One I would consider anyway.  No sense spending money you don't have to.  Add a phono stage* with this bad boy and some interconnects and call me done.   

*Say a compact two box Clearaudio Basic Plus for 1k, oh yeah. 

[jimdgoulding]

Duplicate post

[GT Audio Works]

I remember reading a very positive review in the English press somewhere.  More than one, I think.  Try Googling it.  Certainly a handsome beast, imo.  Quite large and heavy as I recall.  The design is European (Austrian, I think, by a fellow of some re-known) only manufactured in China.  With my budget, it's one I would seriously consider if I needed a line stage pre.  One I would consider anyway.  No sense spending money you don't have to.  Add a phono stage* with this bad boy and some interconnects and call me done.   

*Say a compact two box Clearaudio Basic Plus for 1k, oh yeah.

I heard one in a customers system and was impressed from the first note.

[Triode Pete]

Greg,
I've heard both the Mystere CA21 preamp & Melody PB101... I really like the Melody; point to point wired; gorgeous looking, just like the Mystere...

From Hugh's comment, you can tell they're made in the same factory...

I don't think you can go wrong with the Melody PB101...

My $0.02,
Pete

[jimdgoulding]

I remember reading a very positive review in the English press somewhere.  More than one, I think.  Try Googling it.  Certainly a handsome beast, imo.  Quite large and heavy as I recall.  The design is European (Austrian, I think, by a fellow of some re-known) only manufactured in China.  With my budget, it's one I would seriously consider if I needed a line stage pre.  One I would consider anyway.  No sense spending money you don't have to.  Add a phono stage* with this bad boy and some interconnects and call me done.   

*Say a compact two box Clearaudio Basic Plus for 1k, oh yeah.

Alternately, the battery powered Sutherland Ph3D phono stage should be a consideration for the same money.  TAS' 2007 phono stage of the year.  Anyone here own one?

[GT Audio Works]

Greg,
I've heard both the Mystere CA21 preamp & Melody PB101... I really like the Melody; point to point wired; gorgeous looking, just like the Mystere...

From Hugh's comment, you can tell they're made in the same factory...

I don't think you can go wrong with the Melody PB101...

My $0.02,
Pete

Was unaware of the Melody at the time I purchased it....
They both do look good. The Melody uses a tube I am unfamiliar with.
Would be interesting to do a side by side at Deepaks house when I get it.
The Melody is almost twice the price
The Melody has a remote..the Mystere uses 24 step attenuator no remote.
My one worry is there will not be a fine enough volume control with my fairly efficient speakers.
                                            Greg

[shadowlight]

Would be interesting to do a side by side at Deepaks house when I get it.

Sorry Greg,

I do not own a PB101 but on a look out for a used one.  Right now it is way out of my price range

[GT Audio Works]

Sorry Greg,

I do not own a PB101 but on a look out for a used one.  Right now it is way out of my price range

My mistake..I assumed the one at your GTG was yours..But now I remember the event was sponsored by Melody ,,I guess it was a loaner.  I really liked that unit..but alas it is out of my price range also.  Greg

[rollo]

  Greg that is a long wait. Is it paid for ? Greg I would think that the preamp you choose whatever it is to be as neutral as possible for your design work.
    Synergy with your amp is more important than which preamp. If you are planning on changing your amp as well I would wait. Melody makes a fine product for sure and dealing with Hugh is a pleasure.
      If it were me I wold investigate a Rogers intergrated. Your speakers loved the 1000W at 4ohm. As well as 60W. Both amps had a tubed pre before them, if you recall. Each amp showed its character meaning your speakers are neutral.
      Consider source first, amp second and then a pre to tie it all together. My 2 cents.


charles

[GT Audio Works]

  Greg that is a long wait. Is it paid for ? Greg I would think that the preamp you choose whatever it is to be as neutral as possible for your design work.
    Synergy with your amp is more important than which preamp. If you are planning on changing your amp as well I would wait. Melody makes a fine product for sure and dealing with Hugh is a pleasure.
      If it were me I wold investigate a Rogers intergrated. Your speakers loved the 1000W at 4ohm. As well as 60W. Both amps had a tubed pre before them, if you recall. Each amp showed its character meaning your speakers are neutral.
      Consider source first, amp second and then a pre to tie it all together. My 2 cents.


charles

Charles,
 yes I paid for the unit already..I checked with dealers in US and Canada..they are all waiting for orders.
So not much I can do..will contact mystere in the Netherlands to see whats up.
I am planning on changing my amp to tube. Got the Mystere after hearing my speakers with one in the system..beats out my old Audible Illusions and the price is about as high as I can go. My old Audible /Bryston combo is about 20 yrs old..time for a change.
I will be auditioning a variety of amps when the pre gets here..will be in no big hurry to get amp...must hear it in my system b4 I buy..must get the synergy I am looking for. I really likes the Melody..Its just out of reach of my modest budget..I have spent a lot on R&D of my speaker not much available for equipment. The Rogers looks like a possibility and he is just up the road in Warwick NY..I will definitely be knocking on his door in my quest. ......  Greg

[Gopher]

Phil Ressler, whose opinion I value above almost everyone in this hobby, had the following to say about the Melody vs Myster CA21:

03-12-13: 213cobra
I've heard the Mystere 21 pre alongside my Melody Pure Black 101. On a casual listen, the Mystere is closer to the Melody than the price difference suggests. After all, they are both built by Melody so despite having different designers, it's not surprising that similar power supply approaches yield similar voicings and traits. But the higher parts quality, tube voltage regulation in the Melody, along with claimed better magnetics, yield appreciable differences in tone density, nuance and superior dimensioning that are ferreted out with sustained listening. Quick A/B is interesting but once that's out of the way, I'm more interested in what happens when I listen to each extensively and then replace it with the other. The Mystere did not leave me satisfied after listening to the PB101, and nothing about listening to the PB101 after the CA-21 made me miss the CA-21. If they were *very* close, I might have preferred to save the $2200 that separates them,but for me the PB101 was worth the difference.

Still, it's in the range of diminishing returns, and the quality of the rest of your system along with your own judgment of value along with your finances will determine how meaningful the difference is to you. Both of them perform considerably better with upgraded tubes from stock. It's taking nothing away from the Mystere to prefer the PB101. The Mystere is probably the least expensive preamp made today that puts you in the realm of "high-end," musically. The PB101 also has remote volume.

The PB101 is more revealing and toneful than the old P1688, but the earlier preamp was more forgiving of prosaic tubes. Tubed well, the PB101 has few compromises as a line stage. I recently had the chance to extensively compare it to the newer, more expensive Melody P2688. I'll post about that soon, but if THAT price difference isn't an inhibitor to you, then the P2688 is even better, though it won't forgive sources that the PB101 will pass along gracefully.

Phil

FWIW I bought the Melody Pure Black 101 and love it.

[jimdgoulding]

I should hope the Melody is the better sounding amp.  Why else would anyone pay twice the price.  One reviewer said the Mystere is "the best tube pre he's heard under 8K".  I guess he didn't listen with the Melody.

[Gopher]

That is said more as a testament to the Mystere then a knock to it.  If it came with a remote and one came up used, I may have gone that route...  Either way I stand by my decision.  I think either one will be a winner.

[shahed]

Anyone knows the (max) output impedance of Melody PB101 through XLR?

[jimdgoulding]

That is said more as a testament to the Mystere then a knock to it.  If it came with a remote and one came up used, I may have gone that route...  Either way I stand by my decision.  I think either one will be a winner.

Gopher, hi.  My sarcasm wasn't meant as a criticism.  I'd look hard at the Melody if I had the scratch.  Even at twice the price of a Mystere, it's still pretty darned reasonable in today's world and if it's better one should expect to pay more.  And I'd kill for a remote.  Enjoy, my friend.  Wish I was right there beside you boogieing with your Zu's.

(part 2) You are the man with that Kusma front end!!

[Hugh]

I just sent an email to the factory to ask this question.

As soon as I hear anything, I'll report back.

Thanks,

Anyone knows the (max) output impedance of Melody PB101 through XLR?

[Hugh]

Just got the answer.
It is 30K Ohm.

I just sent an email to the factory to ask this question.

As soon as I hear anything, I'll report back.

Thanks,

[Hugh]

Latest news is Melody is still making Mystere products.

As to the back order, I didn't ask since it's none of my business.