I admit it - I am an addict
For some (many) audiophools it's speakers and cables....others it's amps, DAC's, CDP's or turntables.
Me? - I'm smitten with the concept of preamps (and running a close second, phono cartridges). It's not that I have not found good ones, it's just that I keep thinking there are better ones.
I used to stress over my addiction....now I just roll with it hoping to find the holy grail of preamps one day. In general this is what has worked for me thus far in my journey:
1.
Pairing a solid state preamp (my preferred) with tube amps. Assuming you have easy driving speakers and tube amps that satisfy, the wonderful colorization of the tube amps will cover over the tendency towards etch in all SS preamps I've ever had here. I prefer this to the more usual combination of tube preamp and SS (or, Class D) amps. To each is own
2.
Dual mono architecture. Tho tried mightily, every other effort but dual mono has been 2nd rate to those that were dual mono. It's more costly to do it this way for the manufacturer, and for you to buy, but the results are generally superior - image is more stable and focused (likely due to superior stereo , less etch and grain, and less (effectively, no) crosstalk between channels)
In order of relative preference as I experienced them:
1.
Pioneer SX-A9-J - The only dual mono I've ever had that was true dual mono right back to the dual toroids. This is actually a receiver, but I have not auditioned as such....currently used as an integrated preamp/tuner with (gloroius) phono (MM and MC).
2.
Mitsubishi DA-C20 - An oldie, but a goodie. 30 year old caps and all, it's virtues shine thru. A first rate tuner is included in the package and the phono section is a fine one (tho the MC side is irregularly loaded at only 10 ohms...too low for most LOMC's and the like)
3.
Revelation Audio Dual Mono - My first 'real' preamp was a doozy (the matching amp from Stan Warren most definitely was not). I upgraded some caps to Blackgates, but found it was a little too sharp sounding and preferred the original (tho lower resolution). The MM phono section is hard to beat for $$$thousands on standalones...tho the overall gain proved to be too high on both line and phono in many instances. My Dad still owns this one.
4.
Advent 300 - Fully modified by Sound of the Wood. This is a fine, full featured
receiver, marred by the too-high (AM) RF issue
for me here snug up against the San Francisco radio towers. For those in suburban areas, this may be all you need. Fabulously clear, otherwise.
4.
Dynaco PAS-4 - Want a full featured tube preamp for not a whole lotta' cash? - this is a fine one. MM section is fine, each of the 6 tubes are buffered (tighter bass as a result). The controls needed cleaning frequently (odd), the build quality wasn't special, but it was really holographic and sounded special. The bass was a bit 'hollow'...which I have since read was due to inadequate sized rectifier. Swap out the 4 x 6922's for cheap Svetlana 6n1p's and you'll be singing with this one matched with a beefy Class D or Class A/B amp.
4.
Quicksilver Full Function Preamp - Beautiful build quality and luxurious sound, overbuild power supplies and storage caps. Mike Sanders, the owner, is always there, too. A fine preamp the equal to many with higher profile names. To me, it just sounded a bit 'old-school' languid as tube preamps can....but, some may love that sound and that's quite fine, too.
5.
Odyssey Tempest Supreme - Superb build quality and Klaus always there to lend a hand, but I never could coaxe satisfying sound from this (as opposed to their great sounding amps for the money). Gain is too high...commendably low noise phono section on these....but just not satisfying sound for me.
6.
Hafler 915 - When Hafler was still making preamps 15+ years ago, this was their crowning achievement. Utterly seductive JFET's sounded very tube like. This was line version, but some had phono.
7.
Dynaco PAS-3 - I learned to love what many are unwilling to part with using a tube preamp...a glorious midrange. This was stock and deathly in need of updates, but opened up a world of new audiophool possibilities to me so long ago.
8.
APT-Holman Preamp - I couldn't warm to this one - not sure why, but it was tepid sounding. The line section was satisfying, but the phono section which has gotten press as an all-time great one, was very low gain and a non-starter for me. It was fully revamped by Audioproz in MA, so it shoulda' sounded fine, but did not to me.
9.
IRD Purist - I could never warm to this one. An 'edge' that was never lost, but build quality was commendable. Novel '0' gain feature was helpful....but I preferred the sound with gain as I remember it.
I probably missed a couple along the way which I'll add, and re-order, if I can remember.
Like all things audio, this list is subjective. My first and over-riding guideline is if I can stand to listen to it for more than an album side (if, so equipped) or 30 minutes with CD. After that, the rest falls in line. The above ordering reflects that subjective balance to things.
So, what were your fave and not-so-fave preamps?
John
