In need of a preamp... advice sought...

jon_010101 · « **on:** 30 Nov 2005, 03:14 am »

This sort of thing gets posted all the time, but if I can get any good advice (esp from those who have heard multiple preamps from my list!) I'll be very grateful. Sadly, I won't be able to compare any of the options... this will be a blind purchase except for "trial periods" and such.

As a first step to escaping audio hell, I restored my Craftsmen 500 vintage amps so that they would be reliable. Now my preamp (Consance Basie) sounds worse! Using a Bottlehead Foreplay in the meantime.

So...

My ABSOLUTE MAX is $1500. I'd rather spend less. I have the following preferences:
1) Balance or L/R level adjust w/ master volume
2) No remote
3) Tube, but should not be expensive to retube and should sound good WITHOUT tube rolling
4) No phono
5) No tape loop, but I'll take it if I have to
6) Nothing harsh, finicky, analytical, small-sounding, etc. Big, open, natural, dynamic tube sound preferred.

I'd consider preamps from any time period, as long as they can deliver the "big sound" and don't require a dozen Mullafunken Bugle Blackplates to sound right.

In order of preference by aesthetics only, I am considering:
1) Juicymusic Peach, hopefully used, with the older "colorful" front panel
2) Used Emotive Audio Poeta
3) Used Modwright, but not the SE
4) SAS 10a, "Basic" with no tape loop, used if possible

Anything else I should look into? Anything cheaper that can approach this level? Any reason to rearrange my list? Anyone want to sell me one of the above at a nice price?

Thanks!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 04:40 am »

Quote

My ABSOLUTE MAX is $1500. I'd rather spend less. I have the following preferences:
1) Balance or L/R level adjust w/ master volume
2) No remote
3) Tube, but should not be expensive to retube and should sound good WITHOUT tube rolling
4) No phono
5) No tape loop, but I'll take it if I have to
6) Nothing harsh, finicky, analytical, small-sounding, etc. Big, open, natural, dynamic tube sound preferred.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 04:48 am »

The Modwright comes up used sometimes, but mostly the SE version. The regular version is a couple hundred more new, but you get the added peace of mind of a warantee.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 04:52 am »

Juicy Music Peach runs $1,495.00 new......

jon_010101 · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 05:02 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Juicy Music Peach runs $1,495.00 new......

So tempting. At the same time, I would prefer to find a used one for ~$1k-ish, as I've seen them in the past.

If I see a good used deal on anything from my list, I'll probably jump on it. There is a Poeta for $1500 on Audiogon, but this is scraping my max budget (although it is surely a sonic miracle).

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 05:13 am »

Quote from: jon_010101

There is a Poeta for $1500 on Audiogon, but this is scraping my max budget (although it is surely a sonic miracle).

Nice looking preamp......sorry I never heard one. Good luck.

eric the red · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 05:19 am »

Used BAT VK3i @$1000.00-wish I would have never sold mine-FABULOUS

jon_010101 · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 05:26 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Quote from: jon_010101
There is a Poeta for $1500 on Audiogon, but this is scraping my max budget (although it is surely a sonic miracle).
Nice looking preamp......sorry I never heard one. Good luck.

But, I must say... this person's old-model Peach is just gorgeous... one like it would look great in my apartment.

Hopefully I will find a used Peach for less $$$ than a Poeta or Modwright.

While shopping based on aesthetics is certainly inconsistent with audiophile goals, I get the impression that any of these preamps will blow me away.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 05:30 am »

The wood case on the Juicy Music looks great...and the whole package shouts..."funky", "60's"

....but it's sounds very good.

eric the red · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 05:38 am »

Great-After seeing the link to the Poeta, now I emailed the seller about a possible purchase-appreciate it

bhobba · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 05:54 am »

Quote from: jon_010101

This sort of thing gets posted all the time, but if I can get any good advice (esp from those who have heard multiple preamps from my list!) I'll be very grateful. Sadly, I won't be able to compare any of the options... this will be a blind purchase except for "trial periods" and such. ...

At present I use an el cheapo receiver as my pre - works fine for me. But I know I will need to eventually upgrade. My choice is no pre at all and directly feed a modded Squeezebox into the amps:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=20939
The cost of a modded SB2/3 - about $750 all up including the SB2/3 -
http://www.boldercables.com/servlet/Detail?no=302

If you really want a pre then the Van Alstine stuff looks good value:
http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/index.htm

Thanks
Bill

jon_010101 · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 07:50 pm »

Quote from: eric the red

Great-After seeing the link to the Poeta, now I emailed the seller about a possible purchase-appreciate it

Those are seriously beautiful, and are very well-regarded. Definitely not a conventional design. The higher-level Sira, while it has a nice tube farm going on, frightens me from a re-tubing perspective. I heard a DIY preamp similar to the Epifania (Sector_7G's from Audioasylum). I still can't get that sound out of my head... definitely a reference for neutrality and clarity.

But anyways, I am now arranging to buy an older Peach from Juicymusic ... Love the retro-cool faceplate. I'm definitely excited to have something that won't require assembly / tweaking. Although... I do have a ton of Amperex 6DJ8's in a broken Tektronix scope, plus some gold-pin SQ's lying around.

toobluvr · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 09:14 pm »

Quote from: jon_010101

But anyways, I am now arranging to buy an older Peach from Juicymusic ... Love the retro-cool faceplate. I'm definitely excit ...

Good move....i think you will be happy.

I have the Blueberry Xtreme. It produces a sound that is spacious, clear and involving. It is very well made, and if you like the aesthetic, visually pleasing. Very receptive to tube rolling, so hold onto those NOS 6dj8/6922/7308, and get ready for a fun ride!

After you've spent some time with it, be sure to post your impressions.

PS: Mark is a great guy to deal with.

jermmd · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 09:24 pm »

I have heard and seen Toobluvr's preamp and it is one of the nicest pre's I have ever seen or heard. I too would highly recommend Juicymusic.

If you're going to go digital, the modded Squeezebox is very nice.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 09:51 pm »

Quote from: toobluvr

I have the Blueberry Xtreme. It produces a sound that is spacious, clear and involving. It is very well made, and if you like the aesthetic, visually pleasing. Very receptive to tube rolling, so hold onto those NOS 6dj8/6922/7308, and get ready for a fun ride!

Just sent payment! I'm very excited. I had a hard time picking between Blueberry and Peach... but the Peach is more appropriate to my needs since phono would end up costing me a TON of extra money in the long run. I'd rather stick to one format until I get a larger apartment and salary. Avoid temptation.

I'm a bit nervous about the 6DJ8 world, as an owner of dozens of 12AU7's... new adventures!

Are there any good new-production 6DJ8's out there?

byteme · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 10:03 pm »

Jon,

Good luck with that! I had the Peach in house a while back when Mark was doing the "roadshow". It was shortly after I bought my deHavilland Ultraverve which I got used for a couple hundred under your max budget.

I reviewed it here - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13198&highlight=

Mark was great to deal with and builds a solid product.

toobluvr · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 10:57 pm »

Quote from: jon_010101

Just sent payment! I'm very excited. I had a hard time picking between Blueberry and Peach... but the Peach is more appropriate to my needs since phono would end up costing me a TON of extra money in the long run. I'd rather stick to one format until I get a larger apartment and salary. Avoid temptation.

I'm a bit nervous about the 6DJ8 world, as an owner of dozens of 12AU7's... new adventures! Are there any good new-production 6DJ8's out there?

Are you nuts?!
No way any current production is gonna beat the NOS you have.
If you don't think so, I'll gladly take 'em off your hands!

PS: nothing to be nervous about: remove wretched current poduction...insert glorious NOS.....enjoy!
Simple as that!

jon_010101 · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 12:43 am »

Quote from: byteme

Jon,

Good luck with that! I had the Peach in house a while back when Mark was doing the "roadshow". It was shortly after I bought my deHavilland Ultraverve which I got used for a couple hundred under your max budget.

I reviewed it here - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13198&highlight=

Mark was great to deal with and builds a solid product.

Thanks byteme, I had read your review the other day. The Ultraverve looked very tempting, but with 6SN7s in my power amps, I thought I could benefit from "tube diversification". And my 6DJ8s have been very bored lately!

Fortunately, I got the Peach at a discount since it was a leftover/refurb of sorts, so I was able to stay nicely under budget.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 01:28 am »

Quote from: toobluvr

Are you nuts?!

Nay! Just really cheap!

I feel guilty running NOS tubes into the ground if I can use new-production tubes that come close. New KT66's and 6SN7's, for example, are quite good and cost 1/4th as much as the old stuff. Not to mention all of the boutique old-school triodes out there. If new-production 9-pin dual triodes ever catch up with the quality of new 300Bs, 45s, etc., then I will never have to buy NOS again.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 05:19 am »

jon_010101....Good luck and enjoy your new preamp.