[guest1632]

Hi all,

Just was wondering if anyone has tried either the Ys-Audio Symphony Plus or the DIYhifisupply Basie Preamp?  Still on my search for the Preamp that I'll be keeping for a long time. Unfortunately, don't have a lot of mula to spend.

Ray

[Brad]

Are you looking for just tube preamps?

In that price range, I'd consider a Grounded Grid.
I know DougS is a big Melos fan:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1208310788
The Eastern Electric Minimax is supposed to be quite good, but I haven't heard one.

Non-tube, I would definitely try out one of the Prometheus TVC preamps

Hope this helps

[guest1632]

Are you looking for just tube preamps?

In that price range, I'd consider a Grounded Grid.
I know DougS is a big Melos fan:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1208310788
The Eastern Electric Minimax is supposed to be quite good, but I haven't heard one.

Non-tube, I would definitely try out one of the Prometheus TVC preamps

Hope this helps

Hi Brad,

At present, I do have a TVC. Yes, considering the GGP. Just was looking for input from others who might have the Symphony Plus or the Basie preamp.

Ray

[ajzepp]

I'm starting to think that Ray needs his own damn circle 

[guest1632]

I'm starting to think that Ray needs his own damn circle 

Hey that's what happens when you are researching this stuff. LOL.

I figured if I got a GGP, would probably upgrade the pot, the output caps, the Selector switch, and maybe some parts in the power supply.

Ray

[ajzepp]

I'm all about research too, but I think you've covered just about every preamp in existence...sooner or later ya just gotta PICK one, bro 

[guest1632]

I'm all about research too, but I think you've covered just about every preamp in existence...sooner or later ya just gotta PICK one, bro 

Actually, not true. I've narrowed it down to just a few half dozen heheh. Besides the GGP, the Ys-audio, DIYhifisupply basie, the foreplay extended III an an AE3. That's it. The output impedance is important. That's why I chose those preamps.

Ray

[Brad]

Would you buy or build the GGP?

I heard the Foreplay with Paramours in my system last weekend.
VERY impressive on jazz/vocals.

I've also heard the GGP before, but my system and room were drastically different then.
It was very neutral.

I think we've all needed our own circle during major system change times 

[guest1632]

Would you buy or build the GGP?

I heard the Foreplay with Paramours in my system last weekend.
VERY impressive on jazz/vocals.

I've also heard the GGP before, but my system and room were drastically different then.
It was very neutral.

I think we've all needed our own circle during major system change times 

Well, I have a line on two of them. One is already built with some mods. The oother one is still a kit.

Ray

[ajzepp]

Well dang, man, I hope the one you end up with kicks some major ass for ya!

[Steve]

Hi Ray,

     I was wondering why the output Z is important? Are you running long interconnects? Just wondering.

Cheers.
Steve

[guest1632]

Hi Ray,

     I was wondering why the output Z is important? Are you running long interconnects? Just wondering.

Cheers.
Steve

Hi Steve,

Well the reason is this: My SKA amp has a feedback circuit at the input which when matched with the correct impedance below 800 ohms will produce the best PSRR, and theoretically should sound its best. Greg unfortunately is banned from this board, so he can't explain this. That's how I understand it anyhow.

my observations so far are the 12a*7 family in general is just this side of neutral on the slight warm side. The 6SN7 family seems to be a more robust sound. The 6922 family seems to be somewhere in the middle. Now I'm not knocking any particular sound at all. I would preferr to not have any sound at all. Hence your 11A Steve.

I'm coming from a solid state side. So that's all I have for now.

Now, if anyone has any comments on those preamps, I'm interested. The one thing I've heard consistent is the 6922 tubes get noisy fairly fast. I'd be looking at the 6H30's Steve hence the Juicy Music Peach. Mark does make a good point. The more tubes in a system, the more smear is the sound.

Ray

[Rocket]

Hi Ray,

I was just about to recommend the juicy music and sas labs preamps:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1206/juicymusic_merlin.htm

Why buy from China when you can purchase a local product.

Regards

Rod

[ajzepp]

Why buy from China when you can purchase a local product.

Right on, Rod...that is a huge factor in the gear I buy, too. 

[Brad]

I've heard nothing but very positive comments on the SAS preamps.

I did think they were above the price range Ray is looking in.
They don't come up often used, so that might be a hint...
Wasn't there a newer model below $1k?

Ray - do you have any way to try some of these in your system?

[pbrstreetgang]

You all are saying that you prefer the supertube to the 6922? I use 6922 stuff but havent messed too much with the mig tube but the ARC and BAT crowd has some minor grumblings for the 6922 if I am interpreting it right

[opnly bafld]

I've heard nothing but very positive comments on the SAS preamps.

I did think they were above the price range Ray is looking in.
They don't come up often used, so that might be a hint...
Wasn't there a newer model below $1k?

Yes, the 7A at $989 and it is very good.
http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/price1.htm

Lin

[doug s.]

yup, melos is killer.  you will be hard-pressed to beat the sonics of an sha-1 for $500, even if you quadruple your budget...

a bud of mine finally broke down & got one; he's kicking himself that he dint buy a sha-gold-r several years ago, instead of the rogue magnum 99 he bought...

there's a maestro on agon presently, for $600 asking price.  it has more reliable alps pots instead of the sha-gold-r's better sounding but problematic photentiometer pots - like the sha-1, but more inputs/features.  it should have remote wolume control, as well.  it will sound as good as an sha-1:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1208267683

doug s.

[guest1632]

Why buy from China when you can purchase a local product.

Ok, guys, let me answer you this way. first, this impedance issue. Both of the SAS Labs preamps, the impedance is higher than what is needed. Secondly, the price. The JM prees, like the Peach are great, but also sell for the 1500 price tag. Now when I get some money, I'll just have to buy all of these and listen for myself. heheh.

The Symphony Plus is making claims that this model rivals $4,000 preamps. The JM will rival preamps 3 times its pricetag. So that's where I am guys.

if pricetag were no object, would probably get this Audio Horizons or an 11A, and get a different power amp.

Now, since I'm leaning towards the GGP, the Ys-audio is also in the same ballpark price and impedance. Wouldn't have to get it built. Just don't know how it sounds. Yeah, the GGP is made here in America. You make a good point. So is the AE3 from AES, the Cary people. It uses 6SN7 tubes.

Ray



Right on, Rod...that is a huge factor in the gear I buy, too. 

[Rocket]

Hi Ray,

The Juicy Music 'Merlin' sells for $795us and the DIY HiFi Supply 'Bassie' is $600us as a kit.  Factor in shipping costs and the cost of building the 'Bassie' and its about the same price as the JJ.

I've been guilty of purchasing a cheaper product in the past and almost everytime I have regretted it.

Good luck with your decision.

Rocket