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Hi All,I am at it again... getting ready to drop the hammer on a "power plant" for my setup. Here is a quick overview of the setup:
Carts - Stock Dyna DV20Xh/SoundSmith Retipped DV20Xh/Grado Platinum
Turntables - Rega P3/Stock RB300 and a Sota Sapphire with a Michell Technoarm
PhonoStage - Hagerman CornettII with fresh tubes
CDP - Marantz SA11-S1
Speaker Cables - Anti-Cables
Interconnects - Kimber Silver Streaks
Speakers - Paradigm Studio 60v4's and Harbeth Monitor 30's
Integrated Amp - Primaluna Prologue One with a crap load of tubes (more than I really care to admit other than saying that my backup's have backup's and they are backed up)What I am considering doing is replacing the Prologue One (d@mn fine beast) with a Prologue Two or kicking it up a notch and getting a Dialogue Two. Either of those fit well under my budget so I was thinking that I might pick up a power conditioner.
Now having said all of this out loud I start thinking (dangerous for me) that with the funds that I have available for this upgrade maybe I should go to an amp/preamp combo.
Your next question will probably be:
"what does the Prologue do that I don't like?". My reply would be ...nothing.Next question would be "what is the budget?". My reply would be ...under 4k new or used
I would love it if I could get an integrated or amp/preamp that uses the ludicrous amount of EL34/KT88/12AU/12AX tubes that I have but that would not be a show stopper.
The "list" of candidates are:
Prologue Two (cheap!)
Dialogue Two (...more serious and gives me pause)
QuickSilver Mid Monos and their linestage
BAT of some sort
Audio Research pairing like a LS-5 with a 100.2 (tube pre/solid power)
Ayre AX7e
Cayin a-100t or their A88TTons of choices to drive the speakers with... What do you think? Am I looking at the right stuff?
Brian
Edits: 10/19/09
Think about the Monarchy Audio SE250 amps with an M24 DAC/preamp combo. This will deliver the best of tubes with the power and punch. I used the M24 DAC and it is frankly a very very fine beast, regardless of the money and the best part is that its cheap ($1000 direct from Monarchy).
Other ones to consider would be the AES Sixpac amps or a used pair of Manley Snappers or Mahis with the M24 DAC/pre.
But I would also look seriously at the deHavilland UV2 preamp.
"Live free or die"
Making incremental advances to your system is the most expensive way to Nirvana. Wait until you can afford your ultimate move, and then go. I like Ayre and BAT equipment of the list.
Ok, having said that I assume that you feel that any of my choices will only be an incremental move and not really enough to justify the cost. I am more than good with taking most of my money off of the table and getting a Prologue Two. That would let me use my tubes and save a lot of the green stuff so that I can do it right.
Your next question is probably "why do anything?" Well the PL One has an issue with the autobias circuit that needs to be repaired and I do not want to be down while it is away =-).
Brian
I think you should take a look at the new Van Alstine Ultravalve. I have an updated U70 and it is pure magic. If you need more power and have the budget go for the pair with the bridging inverter.
Nicest amp I have ever heard...
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