Help me choose a preamp

warnerwh · « **on:** 3 May 2005, 02:06 am »

I need to get a different preamp. I'm using an ARC LS 16. I'm inclined to go SS this time. Price around 1500 used. The pre's I'm considering are the ARC LS12, Conrad Johnson Premier 18, Classe cp50 or 60 and Pass Labs 2.5. A remote is a necessity. Thanks

Tweaker · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 May 2005, 02:34 am »

Marsh Sound Design P2000. Solid state but doesn't sound it. Get it on some brass cones such as the Mapleshade Heavyfoot or Audio Points and I think you'll be pretty happy with the sound.

http://audioadvisor.com/store/mfglisting.asp?hdnMfg=Marsh+Sound+Design&MFGID=240

Music Maven · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 May 2005, 02:40 am »

I hear that Stan Warren in Eugene, OR will be releasing a new Superphon preamp. The earlier ones were very "bare bones" but had a great reputation for sonics. However this may be too much a "budget" product for you, I'm not sure of the pricepoint but the old ones were budget models.

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 May 2005, 02:57 am »

That Superphon III that I heard was very nice, better than my Bent, but it did not have an HT bypass or a remote.

Since it uses the DACT volume control, a remote kit can be ordered from diyaudio.com

I was very impressed by this buffered passive pre..

KKM · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 May 2005, 03:13 am »

I'll second on the Marsh, although I like the hybrid better, more of a purist design, no remote though.

rmihai0 · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 May 2005, 01:42 pm »

Coda: Window Continuum II or III or the latest.

clubmyke · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 May 2005, 04:52 am »

i had a arc ls-12 and it is the most neutral preamps i have ever owned. would reccomend the voltage upgrade if you are using a single ended source.

i have a bat vk30 and it is really nice though finding 6 quality 7308's is hard...

boead · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 May 2005, 05:53 am »

Van Alstine Transcendence Seven SLR
http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/transcendence_seven_sl.htm

guest1632 · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 May 2005, 05:51 am »

Quote from: warnerwh

I need to get a different preamp. I'm using an ARC LS 16. I'm inclined to go SS this time. Price around 1500 used. The pre's I'm considering are the ARC LS12, Conrad Johnson Premier 18, Classe cp50 or 60 and Pass Labs 2.5. A remote is a necessity. Thanks

Hi, Well, I think maybe, unless that nuforce pre is a complete shoe-in, I'd probably add a few extra hundred and get the Maud write pre. Yeah, it's tubes, but it's done right. Reports on the circle have said it's something that is worth 2 or 3 times the value for price. Another consideration from Upscale audio is the AES the same people who make Keri audio, yep I spelled it wrong, sorry. So there you have it from this humble opinionated person.

Ray

Eric · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 May 2005, 04:33 pm »

You should consider a SAS Audio 10-A Linestage. 1995 new I believe

byteme · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 May 2005, 04:58 pm »

While it's not SS, any of the deHavilland preamps can be had with remote and HT bypass can be done easily even if the pre doesn't have it as an option.

I've got an Ultraverve and could not be happier. Great big glorious sound, rich soundstage, dynamics, realism, it's all there! Paid $1400 used.

budyog · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 May 2005, 07:06 pm »

I second that vote for the Van Alstine T7, and you can now get a remote control. Check it out. I really like mine.

http://www.avahifi.com/

doug s. · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 May 2005, 07:40 pm »

no way i'm letting go of my modded melos ma333r any time soon. but, if i were in the market, this would be on my shortlist:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1120868240
a bit higher than your budget, but it may still be worth considering. as well as this:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1120821683
this one has been f/s for a coupla months, so they will likely consider reasonable offers.

this one also looks interesting, but me personally, i need a tape loop... and, i thhink the retail price listed is a bit high, but i am not sure:
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?preatube&1120176153

this is also excellent, but it's *way* overpriced; ~$1k would be more like it...:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1119902187

solid state pre? forget about it!

ymmv,

doug s.

warnerwh · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 May 2005, 10:29 pm »

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to stay with my ARC. I really like this pre and the thought of getting something I don't like is too much to deal with. I'm pretty sure I had a lapse of sanity.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 May 2005, 10:41 pm »

I put my Modwright pre up for sale a while back thinking I was going for an Audiozone. I got cold feet (sanity) just like you! Repeat after me: Different isn't always better!

warnerwh · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 May 2005, 10:44 pm »

Quote from: miklorsmith

I put my Modwright pre up for sale a while back thinking I was going for an Audiozone. I got cold feet (sanity) just like you! Repeat after me: Different isn't always better!

I put my ARC on Agon twice and pulled it off so I know what you mean!

Music Maven · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 May 2005, 04:24 am »

I have an ARC solid-state SP-3, lightly used really, but it's probably 10 years old. It's in virtually-new condition.

It has a direct-input option that bypasses balance control, etc, but because of being a bit lazy and old-fashioned, I've never run it "direct."

Using it in the "conventional" mode, I "like" it but somehow it's never really given me "goosebumps"... not the "liquid magic" of my much older solid state SP-5.

So, do you think the SP-5 was just plain sweeter or am I missing a lot by not running the SP-3 in "direct" mode?

Jerry

warnerwh · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 May 2005, 04:33 am »

Why don't you try running the preamp in direct mode and see/hear the difference. My LS16 is tube and adds just a touch of tube warmth. A great combination imo.

Music Maven · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 May 2005, 04:53 am »

I just never have had a preamp with that option, and, although I understand that eliminating some intervening circuits will make for a more unbuffered sound, I guess the concern in the back of my mind is that the preamp might come closer to "running away" or "passing direct current" like an amplifier might and thus damage the components downstream, the amp and speakers. Maybe this is impossible, but I guess the "wide open" option minus the buffering sort of "alarms" me. Maybe there's no ground for concern.

Jerry

boead · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 May 2005, 12:50 pm »

Quote from: warnerwh

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to stay with my ARC. I really like this pre and the thought of getting something I don't like is too much to deal with. I'm pretty sure I had a lapse of sanity.

No, no, no…
The procedure is simple.

You buy a potential replacement component, you audition it against your current component and you choose between the two and sell the one you didn’t like as much. Repeat as necessary.

If you find that you keep choosing your current component then you can be assured you are happy. The only biasness is that your current component has the home field advantage of familiarity. If you choose the new(er) component then you sell your current component. You can continue to do this till you have gotten a chance to hear a variety of components.

This is the way of the Audiophile; you can’t possibly know what something sounds like till you hear it for yourself.

Help me choose a preamp

guest1632