[cujobob]

Has anyone who has owned a Mapletree preamp done any comparisons with whatever they upgraded to?

There are very few reviews available and just curious as to what gear made former owners upgrade.

[Rob S.]

you may want to check with Topround, I think he upgraded but spent a couple thousand bucks in doing so.

[Tyson]

I've heard a ton of different equipment, and the 2A SE is one of the few "keepers", IMO.  It just makes great music.  I took it to a very experienced tube person, and it was one of the best measuring tube pre's he'd ever seen.  But the main thing is the music.  More money might get you better features (such as remote control for volume and/or input switching), but I doubt it would get you anything a lot better sounding.

[droht]

There is a guy on Tweak City Audio forum who says the MAD pre is clinical in his set up.

[cujobob]

I've thoroughly enjoyed my MAD Line 2A SE (with all upgrade options)...and I'm sure there's something better, but I haven't heard comparisons as to how much one would need to spend in order to improve upon the performance.

On TCA's forum, a member was looking to upgrade to a VAC or Dodd Ref Pre...both very good, and I wouldn't be surprised if both sounded better (much more expensive units from respected companies).  Like I said, just wondering how much of an upgrade.

When you search for Mapletree Audio Design reviews...you hear nothing but positive things.  Its a small company and their own AC subforum was hardly used.  It seemed as though most reviews were from people having come from receivers or low-end equipment.

[ken]

I've never heard a Mapletree preamp before but someone I know has one and also a far costlier Hovland Preamp which I did happen to hear, and he has stated on more than one occasion that The Mapletree does not give up very much to the Hovland and could easily live with it in his main system

[topround]

The Mapletree was my first "real" preamp. I loved it so much I bought two!
The Mapletree ships with decent tubes, but I have found that by using good quality NOS helps alot. I was using Sylvania 6sn7's then eventually Tongsol round plates.
Everyone uses the term, takes it to a new level, the NOS tubes really do that with this pre. It really is open to tube rolling.

The Mapletrees strength is its TONE.
Most people talk about it's musicality, it exceeds in musicality because of it's tone.
Textures tones colors, all presented very truthfully. Fleshed out in beautiful color and tones, music becomes very interesting and enjoyable.

Someone mentioned the pre can be analytical. This is the exact opposite of what this pre is, I mean diametrically opposed to analytical.

Another strength is it"s ability to play with lots of amps, I have had this pre in front of many.many amps, and many different technologies. It always worked its magic, whether paired with a diigital, SS ot tube, or hybrid amp. Very flexible and very forgiving. If you have digital amps, this pre may be just your ticket, to add that bit of warmth and love to your digital amp.

There are two weaknesses that I found:
Image can be a little smallish, not terrible but smaller than the bigger more advanced pre's out there. So your piano will have the fullness it deserves but the size of the piano will be a little smaller than some pre's

Also the soundstage is a little small, it is not as open as some of the larger pre's out there. While it will give you plenty of air, the soundstage won't be expansive and extend beyond your walls or try to wrap around you.

These were my only complaints, and they are being exaggerated to ,make a point, but in reality the qualities far outweighed the disadvantages.
I prefferred this pre to many, more expensive pre's I was fortunate enough to play with( I have lots of friends) .

I love great tone, and consider it a requirement, I also love air(we all need it!).
I found a pre that gave me the tone of the Mapletree with the expansiveness of the Modwright, it is the Emotive Audio Sira, and it is alot more money, and I love it.
If you can afford one, you are in for a treat. In my opinion.

I would like to add that I think the Mapletree can be improved with different caps, it uses Auricaps, which have a beautiful midrange , but lack the extensions on both sides, maybe teflon, maybe not, maybe Theta's, maybe not, not sure, but I think playing with the caps can yield some very interesting results. I never did it, but I do have another Mapletree to play with so maybe someday I will fool with the caps, caps size is important because there really is not much room for big caps in that small chassis.
Or one can just leave it alone and just enjoy it.....Nah.

Mike

[cujobob]

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you.  I've often considered switching out the caps in my MAD Line 2A, but that would be costly.  Auricaps are known for being a bit colored.  Not too bad for their price, though.

[topround]

Bob,
I would try Audiocap theta's, they are cheap and good and small. See what they do, then try others from there, maybe Mundorf, they are smallish, so many cap choices, it is hard to tell what would work in there. Mostly a taste thing. Teflon intrigues me, I wouldn't use it everywhere, maybe bypass the auri's with teflon, a cheap way to try teflon, of course everyone has their opinions on bipassing, sometimes it works, sometimes it is horrible.

Mike