Klaus, Marbles, anyone?! - Audible Illusion m3a and Stratos

Beezer · « **on:** 8 Jan 2003, 10:06 pm »

Is anyone out there using an Audible Illusions M3A with their Stratos amp (dual-mono ideally)? How does it sound? I'm considering upgrading to this preamp, but am concerned about it's output impedance of 1.2Kohm.

Thanks,
Steve

Brad · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Jan 2003, 10:39 pm »

Tyson is using this combo and likes it quite a bit.
Of course, he's upgrading to a $7k preamp........

I'll let him comment.

BikeWNC · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Jan 2003, 10:51 pm »

Tyson,

Since Brad brought the subject up -- any comment on that new PreAmp yet?

nature boy · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jan 2003, 10:54 pm »

Steve,

I have been using a AI M3A with the Stratos for over a year. A great combination. Matched with Groneberg Quattro reference IC's and speaker cables a very tough combination to beat IMHO.

If you go with the AI, strongly encourage replacing the stock Sovtek 6992 tubes with NOS tubes. I particularly enjoy the Tungsram tubes.

Yummy!

NB

BikeWNC · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jan 2003, 11:13 pm »

Well, OK then, if we MUST.

Beezer · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 12:17 am »

Ah yes, Tyson has the AI. Sorry about that, Marbles.

Nature Boy, thanks for your input. As a fellow vinylphile, your opinion resonates! I've been thinking about buying a Wright preamp new, which is also supposed to have a great phono stage, but I can't imagine it is much better than the AI.

Beez

Tyson · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 12:18 am »

Heh, I'm still at work, and will be for a while

As soon as I get it home I'll hook up the new pre.

As to the original question, the DM Stratos and the AI are one of those combo's that just "work", not just a good match, but a GREAT match, IMO. If there was a flaw or weakness in the pairing of these two, my RM40's would let me know, post haste!

If you couldn't tell, I really like this combo. So much so, that I'm a bit skeptical that the Symphonic Line Erleuchtung is actually going to be a big improvement. Klause swears it will be, and I have no reason to doubt him, but dangit the system sounds so good right now!

Anyway, I can only afford to keep one of these 2 preamps, so if you see my AI up for sale in a couple of days, you'll know whether I thought the SL pre was better

cjr888 · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 01:03 am »

Curiosity -- what is the input impedance of the amplifier?

mgalusha · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 01:22 am »

Quote from: cjr888

Curiosity -- what is the input impedance of the amplifier?

Not sure about the DM but my stereo Stratos measured 18K ohms.

Beezer · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 01:38 am »

I like the 18 kOhms better -- 15:1 ratio.

Beez

Tyson · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 02:30 am »

Got home, no package

Hopefully it'll be here tomorrow. . .

jcoat007 · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 03:06 am »

FWIW

Klaus has told me a couple of times that the Odyssey amps are 10k ohms.

EProvenzano · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 03:49 am »

I know that Klaus and Symphonic Line are not much into stats or publishing them ...but really, what could it hurt?
I don't mean to stirr up any old issues but it sure is tough when I visit my local shops looking at preamps and I can't even tell the consultants what the input imp. of my amp is

So reluctantly I tell them it's 10kohm (but likely higher), and the dealers shoo me away telling me that this load is too difficult for their tube amps to drive. Just a bit of a hassle is all. I know that the Stratos is easily driven and I'm currently running it with an SFL-1 with no problems what so ever.

BR,
EP

Beezer · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Jan 2003, 04:30 pm »

I bought the AI M3A last night and should have it by the end of next week. It will be replacing a CJ 10B and I'm hoping will be a significant improvement, although the 10B was pretty damn solid and made good music. Can you say "Anticipation"

!?!?

Thanks to everyone for their inputs and observations!

Beez