which low price tube pre....EE Mini or Mapletree?

drphoto · « **on:** 4 Apr 2010, 10:12 pm »

EE Minimax or Mapletree 2 SE? (used) Both of these units seem to garner praise as true 'giant killers'. Which is better for 3D soundstaging? My Tempest sounds very good for tone and detail, but the soundstage is a bit flat. I wouldn't mind a bit of tube liquidity. Call it colored or not, I'd favor smooth and easy over absolute truth.

Will go in front of Stratos Monos and Merlin TSM-MMe.

Open to other suggestions. I've seen older CJ premiers, Melos and AI's suggested as good budget pre's.

My upper limit is $1K, but of course, prefer to spend about half that.

thanks.

cujobob · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Apr 2010, 10:16 pm »

I have a MAD Line 2A...love it. Haven't heard the EE Mini, though. I think the MAD would make you very happy.

Bigfish · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Apr 2010, 10:27 pm »

The Mapletree has a separate power supply and can use 6SN7 or 12SN7 tubes. I own a Line 2A-SE and have heard the EE Pre at a friends. The EE is a very good performer but the Mapletree is better IMHO.

Ken

doorman · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Apr 2010, 10:42 pm »

Also, you might check out: http://www.transcendentsound.com
The GG is very good, IMHO
Don

drphoto · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Apr 2010, 10:51 pm »

Ken, yeah, I like that idea of the separate PS on the Mapletree. Did it seem to have a big 3D soundstage? Not to be a jingoist, but I also like the idea of buying something made here rather than in some Chinese plant. I'm kicking myself for not jumping on the used ones I've seen pop up. Hell, I'd be willing to spring for a new one if just to help keep the company going. I also think it's cool looking in that weird retro way.

Don, yeah GG on my radar too.

drphoto · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Apr 2010, 11:19 pm »

If I go w/ a MAD 2, what upgrade parts should I get? Blackgates, DACT? Like to keep it low cost, but I don't want any regrets.

cujobob · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Apr 2010, 11:27 pm »

GG is a good option, also.

For upgrades, I got everything except the DACT stepped attenuator...it just didn't make sense given the overall price and has very little, if any, sonic benefit (I discussed all options with Lloyd ahead of time). I was the first customer to get Tantalum film resistors on the Line 2A, I believe.

I'd get the Blackgates, at the very least. Everything else won't have as much benefit. You may even want to consider the use of a different type of capacitor.

Rob S. · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Apr 2010, 01:02 am »

Dr. Photo,
I've had good results with my mapletree 2A Se going into Odyssey mono se's. Also, a good friend loved his EE preamp. I haven't heard it, but you'll get great sound with either.

Rob S.

Bigfish · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Apr 2010, 01:22 am »

Quote from: drphoto on 4 Apr 2010, 10:51 pm

Ken, yeah, I like that idea of the separate PS on the Mapletree. Did it seem to have a big 3D soundstage? Not to be a jingoist, but I also like the idea of buying something made here rather than in some Chinese plant. I'm kicking myself for not jumping on the used ones I've seen pop up. Hell, I'd be willing to spring for a new one if just to help keep the company going. I also think it's cool looking in that weird retro way.

Don, yeah GG on my radar too.

If you go for a new Mapletree I recommend you obtain the following upgrades:

1. Have Dr. Lloyd locate the fuse inside the power supply. The standard location can interfere with the fit of some large after market PCs.
2. Upgrade the Caps in the Power Supply and in the Preamp. Dr. Lloyd was unable to obtain a Black Gate large enough for the power supply so I went with a Jensen and a Black Gate in the Preamp.
3. Pay to upgrade the film resistors, it is not a lot of money.
4. Plan on purchasing some good NOS 12SN7's or 6SN7 tubes. I am running a Mullard Rectifier and Tung-Sol 6SN7 Round Plates in mine. I am considering a pair of the Black Treasures to replace the Round Plates.
5. Dr. Lloyd can add HT Bypass if you need it at no additional charge.

There are no circuit boards in the Mapletree. Each unit is hand made with point to point wiring by Dr. Lloyd. There is no fancy CNC case and no remote. I may eventually move to a different preamp because of the Nervosa of this hobby but I think I will have to pay much more for the capability this unit provides.

Good Luck on your decision!

Ken

fredgarvin · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Apr 2010, 04:17 am »

I tried an EE in my system and ended up with something else. I 'm not sure if it is the 'soft' or syrupy' tube sound it sounds like you prefer? It does present a nice depth in the soundstage and a 3d presentation with good note integrity. It wasn't very wide of a soundstage in my system, however. What I liked was that it wasn't very 'tubey' which I think you prefer. I have heard, from others, that the Mapletree is more of a tubey sound.

rajacat · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Apr 2010, 05:10 am »

I had the Mapletree and I wouldn't call the sound "syrupy". I suspect that if you have a system that's soft to begin with perhaps it wouldn't be a good match. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "tubey"

but I thought that the Mapletree didn't seem at all soft in my system in fact it had a nice neutral presentation.

-Roy

drphoto · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Apr 2010, 08:31 pm »

I'm not looking for 'syrupy', but as all things are a trade off, I'd prefer it to err on the side of of being smooth rather than overly analytical. As I said, I have no complaints w/ the Tempest, except there is little depth of soundstage. I put in an inexpensive tube buffer and things got better in this regard, so that's what's got me thinking tube pre again. Heck, I might even consider a tube power amp as the Merlins are high passed at 85hz.

toobluvr · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Apr 2010, 08:59 pm »

I own the Minimax pre and no way would I call it "soft" or "syrupy". Smooth and rich with a touch of tube goodness, yes. But definitely not mushy!

mjosef · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:05 am »

Quote

I had the Mapletree and I wouldn't call the sound "syrupy

Never owned one, but heard it a few times...my associated thought would be "pillowery", like a softening of the notes. You know like lying in a bed that is somewhat on the 'soft' side of 'just rite'.

sanjaygolf · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:52 am »

I currently own a Mapletree Line 2A SE and I dont think it softens the notes at all. This is my first tube preamp but I find it every bit as neutral as the SS preamps I've heard.

Tyson · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 05:50 am »

Mapletree, no doubt. The EE is "Good for the money", the Mapletree is great, period.

ajzepp · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 06:04 am »

I was out of work for several months due to a back injury this past fall, and I had to part with my Mapletree Line 2A-SE...I thought I'd be "ok" since I had a very nice McCormack multi-channel audio preamp that I use for HT duty. Well, I miss my Mapletree TREMENDOUSLY! Music just is nowhere near as engaging as it was when I had that amazing little preamp in my rig...I remember when I first got it, the only source I had at the time was a little iPod nano with an RCA cable into the mapletree...it made mp3s sound amazingly good!

Now that I'm back working again, you can bet ur bottom dollar that Dr.P will be getting an order soon for a new preamp with all the fixins'!

drphoto · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Apr 2010, 01:51 am »

Email sent to MAD. I'm also seriously considering that Radii power amp and going all tube!

doctorno · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Apr 2010, 02:02 am »

Up grading the rectifier tubes and 6sn7's or 12sn7's will also work wonders on that little pre.
Try Tungsol roundplates!! Pricey but great. Take that little pre to a whole new level.

cujobob · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Apr 2010, 04:21 am »

I've gone all tube with a very high quality amp and while it is quite nice...I think you're better off going with a quality solid state unit. The Mapletree Line 2A will power just about anything, though.