Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: deHavilland Electric Mercury 2 Preamplifier (Tube) by Bob Olson

Model:	Mercury 2
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$3500.00
Description:	line stage preamplifier
Manufacturer URL:	deHavilland Electric
Model Picture:	View

Review by Bob Olson ( A ) on December 04, 2005 at 11:16:28
IP Address: 70.108.149.220

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I've been on a several month quest for a new preamp. My previous YBA-1 (a $7,000 2 box preamp with a seperate heavyweight power supply) was a fine match to the YBA-1HC amplifier I used to have, but I moved to a fabulous pair of 845-based monoblocks built by an audio friend and my YBA preamp didn't sound as 'natural' with this amp.
I listened to nearly a score of under-$10,000 (mostly under $5k) preamps in the better audio stores in the Washington DC metro area where I live, and I listened to the half-dozen of them that I liked best in my own system. At least one, the Hovland HP200, clearly beat the YBA at its own game of transparency and musicality. For some systems, the Hovland may be the best of the preamps I tried. But in my system the real surprise was the relatively inexpensive ($3,500) deHavilland Mercury 2 line stage. I wanted to try it because de Havilland specializes in 845-based amps, and this preamp was designed to go with them. No store in my area carries deHavilland, but a call to the company hooked me up to a dealer who was willing to ship me one to try for two weeks and would take it back without hassle if I paid the return postage.
The Mercury 2 is unique in using an old and nearly forgotten radio tube, the type 85 6-pin triode. No one has used the tube in this kind of circuit before. The goal was to produce a â€œbig tube soundâ€ that canâ€™t be achieved by the 12AX7s and other 9-pin miniature tubes found in most preamps. Itâ€™s a zero negative feedback, class A design, with a very simple circuit, tube rectification and point-to-point hand wiring. It has a 24 position stepped attenuator for a volume control.
The sound of the Mercury 2 totally confounds stereotypes about tubes vs. solid state. It has none of the â€œgolden glowâ€ of classic tube gear, but it has a harmonic richness that surpasses anything I've heard in a solid state preamp. It has a clean, transparent character that (along with the Hovland) sets a new benchmark in my experience. The highs go all the way up without the slightest bit of edginess. Thereâ€™s great bass too, so tight that it borders on dryness. All the details are there, and the full frequency spectrum, but nothing feels forced on you or stands out from the rest. The result is a sound thatâ€™s simply â€œnatural.â€ The imaging and soundstage size and depth are also as good as Iâ€™ve heard, adding to the sense of realism.
With every other preamp Iâ€™ve listened to, you have to crank up the volume to a certain level before the sound â€˜opens up,â€™ but the Mercury 2 seems all the way open even at the lowest volume settings â€“ a great advantage for late night listening. My audiophile-quality CDs sound great playing through it, but Iâ€™ve also found myself listening to music that Iâ€™ve avoided for years because it wasnâ€™t so well recorded. The Mercury 2 makes everything sound better. And thatâ€™s what ultimately convinced me to buy it: I just enjoyed listening to it so much.

One reviewer calls the Mercury 2 â€œthe best tube preamplifier on the planet.â€ I canâ€™t attest to that, but I can say that after trying nearly a score of under-$10,000 preamps, including several that are Stereophile Class A-rated, the Mercury 2 was the best match for my 845 amps, and by far the best for the money.

Product Weakness: No phono stage. Lovers of classic tube "golden glow" sound will feel this tube preamp lacks warmth (not a weakness for those who favor neutrality and realism).
Product Strengths: Transparency, frequency extension, tonal neutrality, huge soundstage, naturalness, the music is "all there" even at lowest volume

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	845-based monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	deHavilland Mercury 2
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	YBA-1 CD player; VPI table, SME 5 arm, Koetsu Rosewood Signature
Speakers:	JM Labs Diva Utopia Be
Cables/Interconnects:	Stealth Indra ICs; HMS Gran Finale speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical, Folk Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	12' x 23' x 6'2
Room Comments/Treatments:	RPG abfusors & skylights; Eighth Nerve Acoustics corner and bass treatments
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Shunyata Hydra; PS Audio P300
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	No phono stage. Lovers of classic tube "golden glow" sound will feel this tube preamp lacks warmth (not a weakness for those who favor neutrality and realism).
Product Strengths:	Transparency, frequency extension, tonal neutrality, huge soundstage, naturalness, the music is "all there" even at lowest volume