Preamp recomendations please.

doug s. · « **Reply #20 on:** 20 Feb 2008, 09:42 pm »

Quote from: s2groove on 20 Feb 2008, 09:22 pm

The odyssey candela looks good to. I think i've narrowed it to the modwright, bat, and odyssey. The melos would be a contender if I could still get service for them, but the out of bussiness kinda scares me away from them. Thanks to all who replied, I have considered all of your options. richidoo and doug s, thanks for the explaination on output impedence it helped clarify the subject for me.

dodd audio should be able to service melos pre's - i know they came out w/a simplified wersion based on the melos pre. might be worth a call over to them. of course, dodd will try to sell you one of their preamps - they're supposedly even better than the melos's.

there are a few other folks that can work on melos; fortunately, i haven't ever had to awail myself of their services; since i had my ma333 upgraded by melos audio restoration, they, too went under - will guering passed away...

re: the modwright, odyssey, & bat, i would eliminate the oddysey, based on what i have listened to. now, in fairness, the candela i listened to (in comparison w/the modwright), supposedly had tubes in it that made it a bit more coloured... it was nice, but i much preferred the modwright. this was w/vmps rm40's, w/asl extreme hurricanes on the ribbons, class d amps on the woofers, (made by that danish freak; i cannot remember his name, or the company), & a crown k1 (k2?) amp on the pair of vmps larger subs...

doug s.

mcullinan · « **Reply #21 on:** 20 Feb 2008, 09:58 pm »

Previous to the Supratek I owned the Candela which is an excellent choice. VERY EVEN TOP TO BOTTOM AND MADE LIKE A BRICK. ALSO KLAUS IS a fantastic guy.
MIke

s2groove · « **Reply #22 on:** 21 Feb 2008, 12:43 am »

One last one for consideration, the audio note m2. This seems like a good deal, not sure though.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1208737039

SET Man · « **Reply #23 on:** 21 Feb 2008, 05:58 am »

Quote from: s2groove on 21 Feb 2008, 12:43 am

One last one for consideration, the audio note m2. This seems like a good deal, not sure though.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1208737039

Hey!

That is a very good pre. I have been using my M1 Phono since 1998... the older AN with input connection on the side instead of back. That one is one level above and from later year than mine. With tube power supply and 6SN7 instead of 12AU7 in mine.

The only thing I might change in there is volume control to a step ladder attenuator like I did with mine.

Even in stock it is an excellent no-nonsense tube pre IMHO.

I think it would be ideal if you amp have input impedance of 50K and above for this simple tubed pre.

Maybe the seller will sell it for a bit less and that would make it a even better deal.

Edited: I should add that when I was at the store to buy tubed pre I chose the AN M1 over C-J PV10 I think at the same price

Take care,
Buddy

guest1632 · « **Reply #24 on:** 9 Mar 2008, 08:52 am »

Quote from: richidoo on 20 Feb 2008, 04:31 pm

Doug, where to buy a new Melos? The website seems to be down/expired.
Thanks
Rich

Hi Rich,

Just saw this thread. Also look for a Tad150 on autiogon. The guy has one used for 850 bucks. simple straightforward, can be tube rolled. Another variable is the YS-audio Symphony Plus for almost 700 ne and shipped. That Ys-Audio, I understand change out 3 coupling caps, and it becomes a world class preamp. There's also the DIYhifisupply kit and for a extra 150 bucks will be built for you. There is also the AE3DJH find them used for under a grand. On that AE3, change the fectifier tube, and you'll be happy with the results. it too uses only 2 6SN7 tubes. So that's my input here.

Ray

jackthecat · « **Reply #25 on:** 9 Mar 2008, 10:16 am »

Quote from: mcullinan on 20 Feb 2008, 09:58 pm

Previous to the Supratek I owned the Candela which is an excellent choice. VERY EVEN TOP TO BOTTOM AND MADE LIKE A BRICK. ALSO KLAUS IS a fantastic guy.
MIke

Hi Mac
What does the Supratek do for you that the Candela didnt ?

jackthecat · « **Reply #26 on:** 9 Mar 2008, 10:19 am »

Quote from: woodsyi on 20 Feb 2008, 01:21 pm

Quote from: s2groove on 20 Feb 2008, 06:47 am
The modwright's looking more and more attractive after some preliminary research.

That deal is good one with the extras. Modwright I think is really a hybrid design and a good one. I have one. I also have a full octal tube (6sn7) preamp that has sweeter vocals but it doesn't have the rhythm or pace of the SWL 9.0. I am not saying SWL is lean -- it's a full sounding unit especially with tube rectified PS. What kind of music do you listen to?

Hi Woods
What make 6SN7 preamp do you have ?
Thanks.

bummrush · « **Reply #27 on:** 9 Mar 2008, 06:41 pm »

s2groove · « **Reply #28 on:** 19 Mar 2008, 11:18 pm »

Update: I finally acquired my tube pre. It's a used vtl tl 2.5 preamp with great norther sound co. mods. I'll follow up with some listening impressions as soon as I get it all powered up and settled. I may have to puchase a modwright pre in the future, because i'm so intrigued by them, but the vtl was just so convinient. Thank you all for the help. I really do appreciate it.

-Andy

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #29 on:** 21 Mar 2008, 04:19 am »

Quote from: s2groove on 19 Mar 2008, 11:18 pm

Update: I finally acquired my tube pre. It's a used vtl tl 2.5 preamp with great norther sound co. mods. I'll follow up with some listening impressions as soon as I get it all powered up and settled. I may have to puchase a modwright pre in the future, because i'm so intrigued by them, but the vtl was just so convinient. Thank you all for the help. I really do appreciate it.

-Andy

Good luck Andy....I've heard that Steve Huntley of GNS does some nice work with his mods. And yes....let us know how it works out....thanks.

Chris

TONEPUB · « **Reply #30 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 06:31 am »

I've had very good luck with Steve....

He modded an Aesthetix Rhea for me and did a great job!

mdfoy · « **Reply #31 on:** 17 Apr 2008, 04:04 pm »

All,

Congrats to s2groove on the VTL 2.5. I too am looking for a tube pre-amp, and was interested in the VTL 2.5, Modwright SWL 9.0 SE, Audio Note L2, and Mapletree 2A SE. A new Mapletree is a little less than the others used, are the others that much better? I am limited to < $1500.00.

doug s. · « **Reply #32 on:** 17 Apr 2008, 06:50 pm »

Quote from: mdfoy on 17 Apr 2008, 04:04 pm

All,

Congrats to s2groove on the VTL 2.5. I too am looking for a tube pre-amp, and was interested in the VTL 2.5, Modwright SWL 9.0 SE, Audio Note L2, and Mapletree 2A SE. A new Mapletree is a little less than the others used, are the others that much better? I am limited to < $1500.00.

i'd put the vtl2.5 at the bottom of the list. (of course, w/mods, it may be a lot better.) a buddy of mine whose ears i trust said his cheap dared sl2000 was so much better than the vtl5.5, it wasn't funny. he wasn't the only one in the comparison audition who thought so. of the others you mention, i can vouch first-hand that the modwright is wery nice. but, i ain't parting w/my modded melos ma333r anytime soon.

doug s.