Preamp Short List

doug s. · « **Reply #40 on:** 10 Dec 2004, 11:11 pm »

Quote from: rosconey

maybe a bad ss pre-the tempest is anything but

i'll leave the tubes for my cdp-the rest of my system sounds great without tubes

no one ever said anyting about *bad* s/s pre's... i prefer tubed pre's to excellent s/s pre's. of course, personal taste & system synergy is what it's all about, eh?

i was yust giving my thoughts about why folk may not consider the tempest.

there *is* one s/s pre i'd like to audition, but it's too spendy for me anyway, even used. but, i'd sure like to hear it, as even diehard toob-guys seem to like it - the ayre k1-x.

http://www.ayre.com/products_detail.cfm?productid=6

doug s.

ted_b · « **Reply #41 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 01:36 am »

Yes, Dan's linestage will be very good, but no real reviews yet cuz it's not in distribution yet. It has remote, h/t bypass (I helped Dan with it on paper,in fact) and he'll look into a phono stage soon. It's definitely on MY shortlist. Wish it was here today with a few PFonline/6moon type reviews though....

I'll look into the other recommendations...thx
Ted_B

4ears · « **Reply #42 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 02:28 am »

I wholeheartedly recommend either the BlueBerry or Peach from Juicy Music Audio.

http://juicymusicaudio.com/index.html

The BlueBerry is a tube preamp with phono stage, and the Peach is a tube preamp without phono stage. The BlueBerry sells for around $2000, and the Peach is normally $1695, but I just saw it is now on sale for $300 off.

I've owned the BlueBerry for several months and am thrilled with it so much that I am no longer interested in any other preamp, because I don't perceive that it is lacking anything. Records are a joy to listen to through it, as are CDs and SACDs. I don't even think in audiophile terms anymore because everything sounds just right, not too much of this or too much of that, and I get right into the music.

It's got an unconventional look that I personally like, having gotten kind of tired of endless black boxes, or the other extreme of multiple tubes sticking out. All of the BlueBerry tubes are covered by the wooden cabinet. There's no remote, but then I didn't want one for my preamp.

Another neat thing is the manufacturer is a one-man company and sells only privately/online. I can only imagine what this preamp would cost if it were marketed in audio salons--$5000?

Music Maven · « **Reply #43 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 02:54 am »

There have been some FUN entries on this thread today! It's always fascinating and educating to hear of some brands I've never heard of before, especially rewarding when they are priced at "real world" levels.

But, DANG IT!, I wasn't even thinking of a different preamp and now I've caught the bug!

Jerry

ted_b · « **Reply #44 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 03:30 am »

Quote from: 4ears

I wholeheartedly recommend either the BlueBerry or Peach from Juicy Music Audio.

http://juicymusicaudio.com/index.html

The BlueBerry is a tube preamp with phono stage, and the Peach is a tube preamp without phono stage. The BlueBerry sells for around $2000, and the Peach is normally $1695, but I just saw it is now on sale for $300 off.

I've owned the BlueBerry for several months and am thrilled with it so much that I am no longer interested in any other preamp, because I don't perceive t ...

Thanks fellow Ohioan, they look like great preamps...but they don't have an h/t bypass or remote (although just cuz I restarted this thread doesn't mean I own it...the original wish list from Paul had no real qualifications other than $3k) . So far my leading qualified tube contenders are the Modwright (unreleased) and the Supratek Chenin (3-4 month wait list), and the lead ss is the incredible swiss-army-knife preamp from DEQX (no ht/t bypass to speak of but talking with Ian from Deqx we devised other methods).

My current pre is a less-than 6 months old tubed Ray Samuels Emeline II Stealth, and it sounds great, and doubles as an incredible headphone amp. My headphone needs have changed. My need for a remote and an ability for my stereo preamp to own the "last mile" of ic from pre to amp, and not have to go through another h/t preamp to get there, is critical. I'd give up these options if I thought it kept me from a world-class preamp, but don't think it will..
Ted_B

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #45 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 03:40 am »

For the cost of shipping, you can have a listen...either Blueberry or Peach ...... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13741

4ears · « **Reply #46 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 03:52 am »

You're welcome Ted B. Although you are correct about the BlueBerry and the Peach not having remotes, the Peach does have a Home Theatre bypass. (My BlueBerry doesn't, but I don't need the HT bypass.) No headphone jacks either, if you need that. Personally, I never listen to headphones.

ted_b · « **Reply #47 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 04:09 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

For the cost of shipping, you can have a listen...either Blueberry or Peach ...... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13741
The Blueberry I purchased arrived this week....sounds great , really !! [/list:u]

THANKS! I just emailed Mark. I asked to roadshow the Peach.

Ted_B

triode · « **Reply #48 on:** 11 Dec 2004, 05:52 am »

In my highly resolving all-tube system with super-efficient horns at the business end, the Cary with oil caps and direct coupling - both available when ordering - yields an amazingly big, ballsy sound but with refinement, full extension, finesse, detail and everything else I want.

It replaced a much more expensive, very well-reviewed 2 chassis tube line stage in the system and I've never looked back. If you try one, be sure to get some good low noise NOS 6SN7s for the two front tube positions. Kudos to Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio for the recommendation (no affiliation, just a very happy repeat customer).

Enjoy the quest.

JuicyMusic · « **Reply #49 on:** 15 Dec 2004, 10:48 pm »

Ted_b - - -
You have been added to the Peach Road Show list. You are actually in the on deck circle. I assume you got the email confirming. But this forum hasn't been working quite right so I just wanted to make sure.

JM

ted_b · « **Reply #50 on:** 15 Dec 2004, 11:41 pm »

Quote from: JuicyMusic

Ted_b - - -
You have been added to the Peach Road Show list. You are actually in the on deck circle. I assume you got the email confirming. But this forum hasn't been working quite right so I just wanted to make sure.

JM

Got it. Thanks. I look forward to evaluating the Peach.

Ted_B

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #51 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 08:15 am »

Quote from: JuicyMusic

But this forum hasn't been working quite right so I just wanted to make sure.

JM

Mark, The Roadshow thread (Market Square) is now working.

Val · « **Reply #52 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 01:40 pm »

I strongly believe that DEQX rewrites the audio rules regarding preamps with their PDC-2.6P. For $3,500 (list) you get these bonuses: three-way speaker correction and crossover or two-way speaker correction plus subwoofer integration and crossover, and room correction. There is no contest at the present time, IMHO.

Val

ted_b · « **Reply #53 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 03:56 pm »

Quote from: Val

I strongly believe that DEQX rewrites the audio rules regarding preamps with their PDC-2.6P. For $3,500 (list) you get these bonuses: three-way speaker correction and crossover or two-way speaker correction plus subwoofer integration and crossover, and room correction. There is no contest at the present time, IMHO.

Val

I gracefully bowed out of the Peach roadshow cuz I realized I'm prioritizing other things (remote, possibly room correction, xovers) and don't want to take valuable time away from the next guy in line. The Deqx is what I need to look at. I've posted about it for some time, now I need to pull the trigger. I'm foused on the issue that it's digital-ness doesn't get in the way of good sound, but instead is a catalyst for it.
thx,
Ted_B

doug s. · « **Reply #54 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 04:03 pm »

Quote from: Val

I strongly believe that DEQX rewrites the audio rules regarding preamps with their PDC-2.6P. For $3,500 (list) you get these bonuses: three-way speaker correction and crossover or two-way speaker correction plus subwoofer integration and crossover, and room correction. There is no contest at the present time, IMHO.

Val

i can see the wirtues of the pdc-2.6. (wish they offered a 4-way wersion, tho.) but, re: the pdc-2.6p - i will keep my tubed pre, thanks...

doug s.

4ears · « **Reply #55 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 04:58 pm »

Before buying the DEQX, you should read the portion of this journal concerning "Equalization . . . can't fix your room acoustics."

http://www.audioperfectionist.com/PDF%20files/journal1rl.pdf

Actually, I consider this a must-read for anyone contemplating audio purchases. I don't always agree with the author, but he provides food for thought.

Personally, the DECX does not interest me. Stereophile likened it to a 4000-band equalizer, and another reviewer mentioned it has a 200-page instruction manual! This massive technical overload is the antithesis of what I am looking for in music equipment, which is for the equipment to get the heck out of the way of the music! I don't think the DECX should even be thought of as a preamp--it's more of a magic box, the purpose of which is to compensate for the room it is in.

As the journal I linked to above explains, a microphone does not "hear" the way a human being does. My prediction is that the DECX is going to come up with a "perfect" sound according to the microphone that will not be pleasing to your ear. Then you're going to have to make the choice of whether you should please your microphone and the computer analysis, or whether you should please you ear. If you choose your ear, you're back to where you could have been in the beginning--making sure your room itself has good acoustics. Room EQ can only disguise the problem, and at the high price of losing some of the music in the coverup.

John Casler · « **Reply #56 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 05:11 pm »

How this for variance of indecision?

I am looking at the following:

1) Passive 24 step attenuators
2) Bryston BP25DA
3) DEQX PDC-2.6P

1) for the simplicity of just getting "out of the way". I have heard "straight through" = no pre, and I like it a lot

2) this is currently being auditioned and I don't miss my tubes like I thought.

3) Looking forward to auditioning this one within the next couple weeks or shortly after the Holidays.

doug s. · « **Reply #57 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 05:12 pm »

Quote from: 4ears

...My prediction is that the DECX is going to come up with a "perfect" sound according to the microphone that will not be pleasing to your ear. ...

there is only one thing wrong w/your prediction - it flies in the face of the results obtained by folk that actually use these devices, & similar gear as offered by dbx, behringer, ashley, etc.

years ago, i used a 12 band eq w/pink noise generator to measure & set frequency response for my mid-fi rig, & it made a *big* improvement...

i look forward to some day (soon, hopefully?) running such a set-up w/active x-over & eq for a three or four-way line array sustem w/subwoofers.

ymmv,

doug s.

Val · « **Reply #58 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 05:28 pm »

4ears:

I understand and agree that one can't equalize away many audio problems, but just as everywhere else, the perfect is the enemy of the good. Your equipment can't "get the heck out of the way of the music" if the room doesn't help it do so. In general, I can't see how lowering, even a bit, that big bump at 100Hz that is making you go crazy is bad. This is purist theology and masochism, not audio enjoyment.

doug s:

Your tubed preamp may be great, but it is so mainly because your room helps it greatly; that is not the case of the typical audio room. By the way, surfing the internet I found a post where you say bad things about Huff speakers. I don't know if you still think that way, but the German DDD driver is a highly developed Walsh Ohm that sounds great and is one of the real recent breakthroughs in audio. Years ago I listened to one of the first versions and was very impressed. If I had money to burn a Huff System 3 would be on my short list (crossed over via DEQX, of course).

Val

doug s. · « **Reply #59 on:** 16 Dec 2004, 05:32 pm »

Quote from: Val

... By the way, surfing the internet I found a post where you say bad things about Huff speakers. I don't know if you still think that way, but the German DDD driver is a highly developed Walsh Ohm that sounds great and is one of the real recent breakthroughs in audio. Years ago I listened to one of the first versions and was very impressed. If I had money to burn a Huff System 3 would be on my short list (crossed over via DEQX, of course)...

i may have said something about huff speakers, but i can guarantee you it was nothing bad. i know all about the german physiks driver, which is why i was so interested in the huffs (and the german physiks). only pricing got in the way - i'd *love* to hear these... much as i agree w/a lot of what john casler sez, i do *not* agree at all w/his opinion of dispersion - i believe you *can* have wide dispersion *and* accuracy & detail at the sweet spot. i've heard it, so i know...

regards,

doug s.