[scott_man]

Dear AC readers:

I am trying to decide on a "new" preamp for my system.

My system:
My speakers are Clements RT-7s (ribbons with transmisson line bass -- efficiency is about 89, they are VERY fast -- think Apogees or Maggies).  My main source is a RAM modified Toshiba DVD player and I am using a Tripath Class D amp.

Preamp wish list:
Remote (at least for volume)
Tape loop (output is fine -- don't need direct monitoring)
3+ inputs (RCA)
No Tubes
Balanced in and out would be nice, but not necessary (I may regret not making this a requirement later, but I can't use it right now).

Preamp "sound":  Uncolored -- don't add or detract from the music -- just get out of the way.  Dynamics, bass, sound-stage width, depth, and layering are important.  Reproduce the live performance.

In the past, I have always used an active preamp (I am replacing a Naim preamp, so PRaT is important -- but, I want more imaging and clarity as well).  Recently, I have heard a lot of good things about the new passive units, so some of them are also on the list:

The "List" (My budget is around $1K -- some units are used, some are new):
Odessey Tempest
IRD Purist -  no remote  
Gamut C2R
McCormack RLD1 -- stock or with mods
Sim Audio P-3
Bel Canto Pre1
Edge Si-1M
April Sound DP200 or DP300
YBA 3
YBA 2A
Sonic Euphoria
FT Audio "Little Wonder"
Muse 3... (can't find one on the used market)
Krell ? -- I liked the sound of the old PAM line

There are no high-end shops within 200 miles, so head-to-head auditions (even in a show-room) would require a weekend trip... and, most of the gear that I am considering can't be found in one shop or even one town.

I would appreciate comments (especially head-to-head comparisons and summaries of strengths/weaknesses) and recommendations (I'm sure that I have left some important players off this list).

Thanks.

Scott

[Tweaker]

I have a Marsh P2000 which fits your requirements closely except no balanced outputs and the price is $1195.00. Fantastic preamp for the money and can be purchased through the Audio Advisor. They have a 30 day satisfaction guarantee (full refund) policy. If you don't like it (you will) you are only out shipping. Be sure and give it about four days of use to start to sound its best.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=MARSHP2000&product_name=P2000%20Line%20Stage%20Preamplifier

[rosconey]

i have a tempest
dont think you could go wrong with one

[Bob Wilcox]

It may be more than you want to spend $4,500 list but the Aesthetix Calypso is a very nice unit that has a remote. It has dynamic range that is startling at times. My previous control units were a PS Audio PCA-2 and a McCormack TLC-1 Rev A prior to that.

Bob

[PhilNYC]

It may be more than you want to spend $4,500 list but the Aesthetix Calypso is a very nice unit that has a remote.

I agree that the Calypso is a very nice unit...but he said no tubes...

[budyog]

Hi Scott,
 You should check out Audio by Van Alstine. His product's seem to be just what you are looking for. They are wonderfully sounding, long lasting and  a great value. Read the reviews on AC.
Just my recommendation!  

[Bob A (SD)]

I too choose the Odyssey Audio Tempest after examining a lot of alternatives and have not regretted the move.  

--Bob

[mcgsxr]

I have a Hagerman Clarinet, custom built to my specs, by a fellow AC member - remote, two outputs, HT bypass, and really really good to these ears!

These units can be built out a number of ways, and there are a host of people around here, who can help!

[Pirate]

Tempest here too!  

[djbnh]

Another satisfied Tempest owner.

[rblnr]

Just curious, I used to own Phase Research Little-D's -- a ribbon/transmission precursor to the RT-7 that was a great speaker in it's day.  How old are your RT-7's?  Are they still made?

[scott_man]

RBLNR:

My Clements RT-7s are about 20 years old.  I had the crossovers completly rebuilt about 8 years ago with high-end parts from the Parts Connection... A great speaker got even better -- the imaging capabilities are amazing.

Phil Clements still makes speakers -- but, alas not longer the RT-7s, Ref-1s (big bookshelf ribbon speakers) or the Little Ds.  If you call Phil you might be able to get him to make a pair for you... I'm not sure how he would respond.

Apparently, Phil also make a few sets of RT-9s (even bigger than the 7s).  The 7s and 9s are floor-standing.  The Ref-1s and Little Ds are bookshelf.   A few times a year I see Clements RT-7s, Ref 1s, or Little Ds on Audiogon or Ebay -- they usually don't linger.  The stock speaker is really good, but the rebuilt crossovers made it much better...

I talked to Phil a few years about about matching an amp to the speakers -- fast, clean power (but, not necessarily that much of it) is required -- with lots of bass control.  Phil said the Futterman OTLs were about the best that he had every heard with the speaker... reliability was an issue, but the sound was great.  Basically clean power, high current, and a VERY fast amp makes the Clements sing  .  I have used Nad (good), Adcom (bad), Linn (bad), Belles (good), and Naim (good) power amps in my system with the Clements -- you can see my comment about the amp and speaker synergy.

I am searching for a Class-D amp match with the speakers -- the speed and 'tube-ish" quality of the Class-D amps (especially the Tripath chips) seem to approximate some of the OTL benefits without the issues of tubes and the HEAT of a class A amp.

I really like the speed and clarity of the RT-7s... IMHO, they has a lot in common with the high-end Apogees, but they aren't has hard to drive.

As you can tell, I'm very happy with my speakers   -- I have cycled through lots of electronics over the years, but since I got the Clements, they have probably been the strongest link in my system -- and, even after 20 years, that continues today.

PS:  To others posting replys:  Thanks for the tips about the Marsh and AVA and the affirmation about the Tempest.  Phil -- you are correct, I want to try to avoid tubes...

Scott.

[Al Garay]

Have you thought about a high quality passive preamp like a BentAudio?

[ludavico]

Scott,  we are on a small planet in a very large Universe...

Go for the CTC Blowtorch.  

You know its the right thing to do.  

[ludavico]

System without Blowtorch =
 

[ludavico]

System with Blowtorch =





Hope this helps...

[guest1632]

Dear AC readers:

I am trying to decide on a "new" preamp for my system.

My system:
My speakers are Clements RT-7s (ribbons with transmisson line bass -- efficiency is about 89, they are VERY fast -- think Apogees or Maggies).  My main source is a RAM modified Toshiba DVD player and I am using a Tripath Class D amp.

Preamp wish list:
Remote (at least for volume)
Tape loop (output is fine -- don't need direct monitoring)
3+ inputs (RCA)
No Tubes
Balanced in and out would be nice, but not neces ...

Hi, Well, as a satisfied Purist owner, I think for the bucks spent, you can't really go wrong. It unfortunately doesn't have a tape out, or a tape loop, but for $665, it is one piece that's hard to beat. It too, gets out of the way,and just lets the music through.

Ray

[Tbadder1]

I adored my Bel Canto Pre-1.  As accurate as anything out there, maybe a bit lean, but versatile, best balance control I've ever seen.  It has modules for expansion (phono, DAC).  If it wasn't for the set bug that got me I'd still own it.  In fact I'm looking for one now for another system I'm building.

[audiochef]

Scott , it,s a no brainer. Go tubes all the way. I have an Audible Illusions, not the smoothest, but one of the most flexible with the balance controls that change dynamics.

A buddy of mine had a silly Adcom ,class A- Oh brother. We spent 4 hours seriously listening. he was sold.

Next day we went to a local highend shop ,picked up a Audioresrearch ,4 6922s . 700.00 used

Next day picked up a Hydra 4 . another night and day .

Needles to say, I picked up 2 hydra2s

Don't screw around, go tubes.

Stan

[doug s.]

scott, i agree w/audiochef - tubes is where it's at.  if yure worried about losing the "prat" thing, stop worrying - i went from a linn kairn, which had prat in spades, along w/detail & neutrality, & things only got *better* when i went tubed.  huge increase in soundstaging & dynamics, w/absolutely *no* penalty.  as far as which to get, which will have the features you want, i suggest this one:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?preatube&1111200993

this is a melos pre, upgraded by m.a.r.  i own a fully modded ma333r, & i am no longer in the preamp market.  

when i was in the market for a tubed preamp, i remember a conwersation i had w/a dealer about preamps.  i was considering a used melos, and a cary slp98, to replace the rogue 99 magnum - my first stab at a tubed pre, which was less than satisfactory for me.  i also talked about the audible illusions, as a reference point (i personally required a remote, which the ai dint have) - the dealer carried *all* these products.  the dealer also used to carry melos before they went outta biz.  when i mentioned the melos (stock iteration, btw), he said forget any other preamp, including anything he sold - get the melos.  this from a dealer, who was losing a potential sale!  

if i had to buy a new preamp, i would consider modwright's new pre, or one of the remote dodd audio preamps.  besides the sound, like you i need remote wolume, & a real tape loop.

hth,

doug s.