Preamp shopping

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #20 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 12:52 am »

If I had a BAT amp, I'd get the best BAT preamp I could afford. BAT obviously voiced them together.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #21 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 01:20 am »

Quote from: Stu Pitt on 14 Sep 2010, 12:52 am

If I had a BAT amp, I'd get the best BAT preamp I could afford. BAT obviously voiced them together.

Selling my VK3i this week. I do like BAT gear but, right or wrong, there is a feeling out there that the BAT gear shouold be interlaced with other gear. I was ready to grab a 51SE oe stretch to the 52SE but wanted to explore some other gear before making a decision. There is a local dealer for EAR stuff so I am inquiring what they have for audition.

zybar · « **Reply #22 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 01:43 am »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 13 Sep 2010, 06:33 pm

Next year is going to be a much better year, however, I will be pre-less come Friday afternoon.

Under consideration are the following units, pretty much used is more affordable, and I'm considering both stop-gap units and higher possible-keepers in the tubed with balanced outputs group (remote vol is a plus):

Ear 868
Audio Note XX?
BAT VK51SE or 31SE or 32SE
Purity One or Reference
Nagra PLP (a little above my range)
Atma-Sphere MP-3
VTL 5.5 (probably a stop gap)
VAC xx??
Cary SLP05
Cary SLP2002 (probably a stop gap)
Aesthetix Callisto
Belles 21A (probably a stop gap)

What experience do you have with any of these in the up to $5k used or new area? Or suggestions?

Using BATVK500 amp.

How about a Parasound JC-2?

I have one and think it is an excellent preamp and definitely worth being on your list. Used they can be had for $2-$2.5k.

George

Bill Baker · « **Reply #23 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 01:53 am »

Hey there BRM,
I don't recall if you mentioned it but are you going to be at RMAF?

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #24 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 02:02 am »

Quote from: Response Audio on 14 Sep 2010, 01:53 am

Hey there BRM,
I don't recall if you mentioned it but are you going to be at RMAF?

Considering it. I have clearance to go anyways.

BPoletti · « **Reply #25 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 02:21 am »

Quote from: BobRex on 13 Sep 2010, 07:35 pm

You might also want to look at the Herron and Joule Electra. Also, don't lose sight of BAT and Connie J, or for that matter Audio Research.

I suggest Herron. I've been using his original VTSP-1a since its very beginning. Herron now has incorporated remote control into his latest preamp designs.

I can't say enough good things about Herron equipment. All my electronics are Herron (except CD player).

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #26 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 02:22 pm »

If you're feeling good but want to be feeling like crap, then contact the Shindo reps and they'll quickly tell you that your system is not right for Shindo gear. Quite alarming as they basically told me this twice as if I wasn't willing to listen to what is the best system setup to consider for their gear. Wow.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #27 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 04:56 pm »

So do I go a month w/o tunes and hope that RMAF show conditions allow me to "shop" for a preamp?

saisunil · « **Reply #28 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 05:18 pm »

I have two preamps - Tube Research Labs SS Battery Pre and Dodd Tube Battery pre
and I have a passive pre by Axiom with one input and output

I can loan you gear and you pay shipping both sides ... that should serve you well and would let you compare with your next purchase ...

I consider all the above three as a reference for what they do ... near that price point ...

revrob · « **Reply #29 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 05:23 pm »

Big Red,

I have the Joule LA-150 MKII preamp paired with Wyred SX-1000 monos with Salk HT3 speakers. The Joule really brings my system to brand new levels in details and sound. I will be replacing my Esoteric DV-50 with the Cary CD-306 SACD later this week.

I really love the Joule and it might work for you. You could find it used for under $2500.

Peace

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #30 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 05:28 pm »

Quote from: saisunil on 14 Sep 2010, 05:18 pm

I have two preamps - Tube Research Labs SS Battery Pre and Dodd Tube Battery pre
and I have a passive pre by Axiom with one input and output

I can loan you gear and you pay shipping both sides ... that should serve you well and would let you compare with your next purchase ...

I consider all the above three as a reference for what they do ... near that price point ...

Super generous and I will consider this. And the Dodd battery has been in my old system once for a demo and I really liked it. Only bettered by my Bella from Response.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #31 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 05:30 pm »

Quote from: revrob on 14 Sep 2010, 05:23 pm

Big Red,

I have the Joule LA-150 MKII preamp paired with Wyred SX-1000 monos with Salk HT3 speakers. The Joule really brings my system to brand new levels in details and sound. I will be replacing my Esoteric DV-50 with the Cary CD-306 SACD later this week.

I really love the Joule and it might work for you. You could find it used for under $2500.

Peace

How is the noise? As the Joule is SE output, are you using SE cables to the Wyreds?

You can get pretty wound up in your shorts reading reviews on Audiogon where hairsplitting seems to be the norm when they compare a Joule to an EAR to a BAT to a ARxx, etc.

writeface · « **Reply #32 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 06:24 pm »

+1 for the Joule-Wyred-HT3 combo. I have the same with minor variations - Joule 150 Signature Ed and Wyred is SX-500 monos. I might go with SX-1000 soon, was waiting for their ref amps.

Joule is single ended only. Balanced version is over 10k and not generally available in the used market.

It is very, very quiet.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #33 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 07:18 pm »

Quote from: writeface on 14 Sep 2010, 06:24 pm

+1 for the Joule-Wyred-HT3 combo. I have the same with minor variations - Joule 150 Signature Ed and Wyred is SX-500 monos. I might go with SX-1000 soon, was waiting for their ref amps.

Joule is single ended only. Balanced version is over 10k and not generally available in the used market.

It is very, very quiet.

In a review for the Cary SLP05 the Joule is mentioned several times like this:

Nevertheless, all of this means what in terms of the SLP-05? Well, I could bore you over the next few paragraphs by going into all the audio-dribble about how the SLP-05 has a really, really big presence about it. That it presents a soundstage that is considerably deeper, wider, taller, and more spacious and airy than our regular preamplifier (though not perhaps anymore so than what one would hear from say the Joule-Electra LA-150). Images have a great sense of space and dimensionality about them—and as such, are very much more real and believable, as opposed to the ever-so-more-so-ambiguous 2-D cardboard cutouts we are used to hearing.

And then I read a review where they say the Joule has less bass than a BAT pre but its midrange is very lush.

So 6 of one and a half dozen of the other it appears.

jtwrace · « **Reply #34 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 07:27 pm »

If it matters to you, I would also suggest you look under the pretty paint and aluminum CNC'd panels...their lies another story IMO.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #35 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 07:37 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 14 Sep 2010, 07:27 pm

If it matters to you, I would also suggest you look under the pretty paint and aluminum CNC'd panels...their lies another story IMO.

Well they are certainly saying the Joule has nice sound and that the bass could be better which is consistent with my readings from other reviews but all in all they seem to be a well-respected preamp and it was already on my list.

Are you saying that under the hood the Joule and Cary are essentially the same?

jtwrace · « **Reply #36 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 07:44 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 14 Sep 2010, 07:37 pm

Well they are certainly saying the Joule has nice sound and that the bass could be better which is consistent with my readings from other reviews but all in all they seem to be a well-respected preamp and it was already on my list.

Are you saying that under the hood the Joule and Cary are essentially the same?

Never saw under the Joule...

tull skull · « **Reply #37 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 07:48 pm »

Hey BigRed,
What about the Tram2 from Diy hifi supply? Just got a nice review on enjoy the music and there is a dealer in the U.S. Check Brian's forum on AA.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0810/diy_hifi_supply_tram_mk2.htm

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #38 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 07:50 pm »

Which of the Joule units for sale on Audiogon are better choices or better to avoid?

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1289029826&/Joule-Electra-LA-150-mk1-%28upgr

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1289184941&/Joule-Electra-la150-mkii-origi

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1288901705&/Joule-Electra-LA-300-ME-

mchuckp · « **Reply #39 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 07:53 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 14 Sep 2010, 04:56 pm

So do I go a month w/o tunes and hope that RMAF show conditions allow me to "shop" for a preamp?

Biggest issue I have with thinking I'm going to find gear specifically at a show is that it is still impossible to tell how it will sound with YOUR gear and YOUR room. How does one listen to a preamp on gear that you are not familiar with and say "wow, that pre sounds amazing". You don't know what makes that particular set up good.

I like to use shows to make myself aware of gear and talk to the vendors about their philosophies, etc. If I like them, their gear, their price points, and their sound then I'll come home and start researching.

Trying new gear can be a very trying experience. I really hope some day I have a big enough slush fund to just buy and sell stuff regularly for fun. There is so much cool stuff out there to try.

Good luck Big Red!