hunting for a good preamp

2bigears · « **on:** 7 Jan 2007, 02:46 pm »

people say.....source to amp you lose some sonics.i had to get one sooner or latter as i will need a phono eventually.the system is:opus21 cdp feeding Audion 845 SET into Zu Defs.i guess i could stick with Audion,but if anyone has a good fit into this system,please chime in.any help thks much

ted_b · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 03:30 pm »

budget?
My four category leaders are (IMHO):
value (Modwright SWl 9.0SE $2500, $1600 used)
value (expensive) (ARC LS 26, $6k, Supratek Cabernet Dual $5k)
very expensive (MBL 5011 $8500 to MBL 6010 $14k)
SOTA (DartZeel $22k or Kondo KSL-M77 $35k)

In other words, huge price swings. Clearly as many choices as speakers, and almost as personal and reliant on system synergy. Dan (Modwright) is intro'ing is new LS 36.5 at CES, which, based on his track record, should be a category leader at $4k.
Thx

2bigears · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 04:02 pm »

one thing for sure,used is good,used is very good.runnin' out of cash but can't stop the runaway now.2,3 and 4k should do it i would like to think.will have to look for Dan's new creation.he is a craftsman,and a good guy.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 04:56 pm »

George Wright's newest 2 box all-tube preamp is a real gem- I've heard it driving his AU-30 300B monoblocks and Magnepan 1.6. Really luscious, open sound. It also features adjustable gain- from 0-30dB !! The little WPP200C phono preamp is an absolute giant killer too, at less than $900.

http://www.wright-sound.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=8

I have his WLA12A preamp, and can honestly say I don't think there is anything that can touch it for $900. George makes awesome stuff, and

2bigears · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 05:46 pm »

shoot-out time:Dan's 36.5 {4500}can.,George's AU-1500.with ph {4000} and the Dodd battery [3700}.that would be a good bench race.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 06:19 pm »

If phono will be needed, I would look at the ModWright SWLP with external tube rectified power supply of the new 36.5. From what I understand, there is a distributor/dealer network in Canada.

Berndt · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 06:24 pm »

I must shill the mapletree u4 se, it is a 850$ gem.
Everyone who has heard it likes it.

mtodde · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 07:01 pm »

Quote from: Response Audio on 7 Jan 2007, 06:19 pm

If phono will be needed, I would look at the ModWright SWLP with external tube rectified power supply of the new 36.5. From what I understand, there is a distributor/dealer network in Canada.

The SWLP with tube rectified power supply is very sweet. It has a great phono stage, is very quiet and natural sounding.

2bigears · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 07:33 pm »

Canada you say? where abouts??

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 09:41 pm »

You must consider the EE MiniMax, which is still a stellar value, at used prices an insane value, and also please look at Supratek if you are interested in a truly SOTA, no-compromise preamp at non-crazy prices.

ted_b · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 09:52 pm »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 7 Jan 2007, 09:41 pm

You must consider the EE MiniMax, which is still a stellar value, at used prices an insane value, and also please look at Supratek if you are interested in a truly SOTA, no-compromise preamp at non-crazy prices.

Oh, I forgot about Supratek! Yeah. Mick's preamps are very competitively priced since the AUS dollar works in our favor. He has someone helping him handmake his preamps so many Chardonnay's etc are in stock (it used to be a 6 month wait). My eye is on the new Cabernet Dual, especially if you can biamp, and at $5k is 6Moons (at least Srajan's) new darling. Mick emailed me that even running one side of the Dual will get you beyond what he's done elsewhere, then save the other side for when you're ready to truly biamp the right way. I need to edit my list....

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 10:06 pm »

Some nice picks already Pat....here's another......SAS Audio......

Happy hunting......

Chris

doorman · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 10:15 pm »

See Ed Schilling's relevant post(s) on the Hornshoppe forum re: the Transcendent Sound GG pre. It's "hair-shirt" but it's excellent.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=35265.0

sturgus · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Jan 2007, 10:20 pm »

All the advice so far looks very good. I would like to add the new Musical Design ( Chameleon ) preamp to the mix. It has a main motherboard and optional daughterboards. You can use 6922's, 6H30's, 12au7's, 12ax7's 5683, and he is also coming out with an octal board also. One of the guys in our group has one and loves it . I have had it in my system and am very impressed. The only problem is you can drive yourself mad with the options, It also will let you play with the feedback in the circut. There is also a tube phono board that will plug right into the motherboard. It is worth looking at.
Sturgus

2bigears · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 12:15 am »

thank you all for your input.i really do not like guess and by golly mix and match.but reality forces me to buy this way.most shops have return options,but being in the great white north that's a pain in the ..... decisions-decisions-decisions

WEEZ · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 01:10 am »

Even though I've never heard it...I would give credence to sturgus's advice and consider the Musical Design Chameleon. What John Hillig does with solid state curcuits is amazing (I own his D-75B amplifier); so I can only imagine how nice his 'multi-tube-option' preamp is. His SP-2B was no slouch, either.

Another great preamp is Frank VanAlstine's Transcendence 8. Lots of 'air' and 'space'; great midrange, and outstanding bass.

I use a Wyetech Labs Coral. I won't be changing it anytime soon. It's rather awesome, actually...

WEEZ

S Clark · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 02:30 am »

Although you will have to get in line, but Dodd Battery preamp exceeds anything in its price class and those well beyond. Check out the reviews over the last couple of months. Start with this one...
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=32799.0

guest1632 · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 11:03 am »

Quote from: 2bigears on 7 Jan 2007, 02:46 pm

people say.....source to amp you lose some sonics.i had to get one sooner or latter as i will need a phono eventually.the system is:opus21 cdp feeding Audion 845 SET into Zu Defs.i guess i could stick with Audion,but if anyone has a good fit into this system,please chime in.any help thks much

Hi Bigears,

Well, here is a couple of suggestions. 5 as a matter of fact:

1. Norh's little 2B at $400 shipped. uses 6922's tubes, supposed to be a good value for the money. Have read good things about that one. WWW.norh.com
2. Curt Wichman's "purist" also from Thailand, go to www.irdaudio. $665 Solid State built like a tank. I own one and it's pretty decent. Just let's the music through. Had read that comparing it to a Modrite, it a click down from it.
3. Candella from Odysey Audio. can't go wrong there. also tubes. It's a killer too for the price. That one is about I think $900 or just about a grand or so.
4. Now if you like doing some experimenting, get Nicholas' TVC (Transformer Volume Control) starting at $300 or so with the deluxe version about $550. Don't have exact figures there.
5. Another one is from TAP (tube Audio Products) roughly in the $800 or $900 price tag, I think. Never read anything negative about his preamp.

Those are some ideas to kick around.

Ray

JLM · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 11:17 am »

I've heard the Transcendance Grid and it has a very warm, heavy, syrupy tube sound. Pleasant but will color everything you listen to.

bunky · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Jan 2007, 11:34 am »

Quote from: 2bigears on 7 Jan 2007, 02:46 pm

people say.....source to amp you lose some sonics.i had to get one sooner or latter as i will need a phono eventually.the system is:opus21 cdp feeding Audion 845 SET into Zu Defs.i guess i could stick with Audion,but if anyone has a good fit into this system,please chime in.any help thks much

the Odyssey Candela is a fine tube preamplifier which is well built and uses very high quality parts in a modified Mu follower Circuit. they go for $1100.00 and are a excellent Linestage.they will easily compete with preamplifiers costing three or four times as much. thanks....WCW III

hunting for a good preamp

S Clark

guest1632