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Recommend an under the radar tubed preamp, under $2000. New.
Mandatory:
Remote and Volume knob.
Prefer:
Tape Out
Follow Ups:
Check out the Rogue Metis?
..yes, and the Perseus Magnum.
The Metis is a nice little unit. Remote and tape out.
I had a standard Metis about 8 years ago, I wonder how the 'Super Magnum' version is? Pretty good, I'm guessing.
"We are all in God's hands... and God is a malign thug."
-Mark Twain
I believe all the Titan series products are only available in Magnum now, which makes sense. I think the Perseus is better than the Metis, relying on memory.
Geezerrocket above wondered allowed about scoring an SP16. I believe you found one NOS?
SP-17, factory sealed box from a dealer that had retired. A good score.
I would think an SP-16 could be had for your asking price. The remote on these is really nice - 100 steps.
"We are all in God's hands... and God is a malign thug."
-Mark Twain
Ah, ok. I stand corrected..16, not 17.
Yes, the increased volume steps was a plus with the 17, although I have been told even by an ARC dealer the 16 was more tubey goodness liquid..they eliminated two of the tubes in the 17. Probably for the better, technically..probably reduced noise.
GOOD score dude.
These guys need some attention too
http://www.odysseyaudio.com/products-candela.html
xtsili
Ah, yes... How could I forget. And made in the USA if anyone cares. This until seems very nicely priced.
Opera Audio Consonance Ref50 MKII Tube Pre-amplifier.
Smile
Sox
Thanks. Looks really nice. They have some interesting things in their line up.
Well I know they're not your cup of tea but Audio Note M-One Remote
Has remote, tape loop, volume knob, balance, and selector and is tubed. 5 inputs.
You'd get it for $2kwith a little negotiation.
manual
Thanks. I am more open minded than you may think, at least with their electronics. Speakers, not so much. Looks nice feature wise. But on the surface it does look overpriced a bit against the competition.
I think that's fair. I always look at the overall cost of a thing including the resale value. And try to see the net cost. I think the biggest reason I am a fan is that everything I have purchased has essentially been free in that I can sell my ten year old OTO and J/Spe for more than I originally paid for them and recently sold my TT2 for more than I paid for it. The models stay for 20 years - the prices continue to rise and rise.
It's the one downside with the Chinese gear I have purchased - while it sounds good - it basically drops in half as soon as you buy it.
I too am looking at preamps and looking at an M3 preamp and a Chinese preamp and an ARC preamp. But in 10 years I would likely get what I pay or very close to it on the M3. The Arc I will lose 40-50% on and the Chinese preamp? Well that's the question. If a company changes model numbers and discontinues the old it's value drops faster than an anchor.
And then I look to the parts quality from caps, wiring, resisters, transformers and I want to see if those things are better than what is in the M3.
I saw the old M-One in HK for about $1000 used (no negotiation) and it originally sold new in 2005 for $699. I actually like the looks of the older versions - this is the M-Zero which looks the same and the parts were inside were very good.
The downside is that not all their stuff works well with non AN stuff - there is a fussy factor.
I think it's pretty sad that there are not very many full function tube preamps for under $2k. I saw some nice Melody amps at my dealer - maybe they have something?
Btw..I would def. be interested in Melody gear...heard it in HK with Zu speakers and was impressed.
You were probably at the dealer I bought my LM amp at since they sell Melody and Zu Audio and Rogue Audio.
I don't think Melody or LM have preamps for $2k - they would be closer to $4k unfortunately.
I always ask the dealer to switch the Zu out for the ATC SCM 100. The Zu impress me in a short session but I have issues with them on longer session.
But good luck with it. Sounds like you have a pretty decent list already. Rogue is pretty good bang for the buck.
I will be honest, I don't give a darn about resale value. I don't sell gear, ever, and I don't buy used gear, ever.
What I buy I use. I have 3 systems in the house and I am building a 4th.
If you are shopping in my price range, then the suggestions I am pursuing from this thread are the Rogue Metis or Perseus Magnum, The Mapletree models, the Quicksilver, Van Alstine, and a NOS ARC Sp16.
Where do I find out about the NOS Audio Research SP 16?
........I was a vegetarian for 15 minutes... until the main course.
There are dealers who still have some. Member Mbnx just bought one.
Also Classic Valve Design http://www.classicvalve.ca/ and there is also Transcendent Sound's Grounded Grid preamp.I believe all these and probably other DIY-type sites offer kits and fully assembled preamps that are definitely worth a close look.
Edits: 09/28/14
They look exceptionally nice, but no remotes.
Roy Mottram has an outboard remote control available that might be applied to any preamp. Or, he might just build one in, like the popular Alps remote control units available from Bent Audio. Parts places like Parts ConneXion in Canada I believe also sell remote control units. Sal Brisindi builds a lot of the Dynakits, and he might be able to install a remote when he builds it (PAS reissue) - might be worth asking.
Edits: 09/28/14 09/28/14 09/28/14
Cool. Will check these out.
If you like sea food, that is!
Why would you want an 'under-the-radar' preamplifier anyway?
Oh, you mean a good one that is not already over-priced!
I have no idea actually how someone chooses components.
Obviously, given a particular price, one tries to choose the best.
Is it that hard to find a good $2000.00 tube preamp nowadays? It must be.
Is Rogue Audio the only game in town unless one goes Used or Chinese?
Probably.
Not long ago, $2500 would get you pretty top notch. Now, it appears to be $4500. All way above my budget.
You pretty much nailed it!
Yes, at $4500, the Manley is out of the question. Those 40% price increases
crossed the whole line off my list.
nt
The Decware CSP3 is a tube preamplifier is within the price and a huge bargain for what it does.
I did check this one out..decware is always on mind for great value...no remote...otherwise great looking unit.
You might consider a Mapletree 2B SE. I believe the good Doctor can fit a remote volume control https://hollowstate.netfirms.com/. I have used the prior model 2A SE for about 3-4 years now and am very happy with it.
Now this interesting..Unfamiliar to me but very cool looking and the prices are amazing. Thanks.
Rogue Audio.
Yes, the Perseus Magnum caught my eye.
Just to inform you that I just took a look on Audiogon and that Quicksilver preamp is listed at $1000. Looks like a good buy to me!
Thanks. The Quicksilver is on my short list..but probably a new unit.
Bottlehead BeePree ($1,000-$1175) or Smash ($400) kits.
Observe, before you think. Think before you open your yap. Act on the basis of experience.
I've got no DIY skills but thanks anyway. Also no remote.
I second the recommendation for the Quicksilver. I've owned that one a few years ago and it was outstanding. BTW,very few preamps have tape out ,they went the way of tone controls. If you need a balance and mono feature it does not have them.
Edits: 09/27/14
A very useful way to add a headphone amp. IMO, should be thought of as a standard feature for that reason alone.
Happy listening,
Jim
"The passage of my life is measured out in shirts."
- Brian Eno
I agree. But many don't have that feature anymore. Just like mono and balance.
Thanks.
Actually I found that a tape/rec out is not that uncommon. Tone and Balance I don't see much at lower price points.
does come with a remote
Thanks! This one was def. off MY radar. I was looking at some of their amps a few years ago.
My second of three preamps, it replaced a Rotel 1070 and was a nice improvement in the mids.
A very nice $1600 preamp.
Thank you. This is going to be a contender.
Not exactly sure what you mean by "under the radar" and a price range might help narrow your field.
You might take a look at some of the Van Alstine tube preamps, I like their simplicity and they do have a tape loop. You might also consider Vincent Audio, I'm not familiar with each model but they do seem to offer a good bang for the buck. I haven't personally heard any yet but Line Magnetic has quite a buzz as well for performing beyond their price points.
From hanging out here I know there are way more brands I'm not familiar with so hopefully others will chime in.
Thank you..spot on..Van Alstine is a brand I always seem to over look.
The trick is getting to here one of their preamps. On paper looks like outstanding values.
Line Magnetic's designs are really interesting.
Van Alstine sells direct from his website and offers a 30 day return if not happy. I can't remember the web address but his company is now Audio by Van Alstine. I hope it's alright to write this, he has a forum under the "manufactures" area at Audio Circle. I had one of the FET Valve preamps for a while and thought it performed very well. Although he comes up with some interesting circuit designs his gear is still fairly old school meaning hand built, manual controls, forgoing micro processors and the like. He also still picks up the phone and available for questions or advice on his gear.
Thanks for the additional info. I've read many positive reviews and user comments about AVA.Nothing wrong with old school..as a matter of fact I prefer it.
Edits: 09/27/14
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