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"BALANCE" control and must have "2 PAIRS ON MAIN OUTPUT". As far as the $$$ in concern--As long as it's not as expensive as a Ferrari, I would like to hear about it.
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nt
Allows channel balance adjustment via independent controls for each channel. Has dual set of outputs for each channel. It's a wonderful sounding tube preamp.Very dynamic, not "soft" or "polite" like many tube preamps. It's also very transparent with outstanding frequency extension up and down... not rolled off in the bass or treble like so many tube preamps. Harmonically rich and slightly warm sounding but not at all veiled. This is a very clean, crisp, and dynamic sounding tube preamp. About $7500 LIST but most dealers will discount significantly or you can find them used in the $4000 range.
as long as your system is TVC (passive) friendly, don't waste your time and money, go TVC.whatever you choose, from cheaper (promitheus) to costlier (S&B based models), you will need to spend so much more money for active preamp capable of achieving what a proper TVC does. i don't think that $10.000 will buy you an active preamp able to cope what a good TVC can do if properly matched.
once you hear tone, dynamic, transparency and cleanliness of the TVC in full glory - you will never return to active.
my wonderful and rather expensive ($4500 +) EAR 864 sounds almost broken in comparison with a fully run in promitheus.
if i would be you, i would order the promitheus, dual mono, 2 separate boxes for each channel, the manufacturer will install as many inputs as you need.
one remark though: don't buy the overpriced music first preamp. it is not any better than promitheus, if you can stand its look. and with a few simple tweaks, it is easily killed by the promitheus.
You may want to look into the Balanced Audio Technology REX.
Good luck and enjoy your search.
http://www.wright-sound.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=8http://www.wright-sound.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=7
nt
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I replaced my Quicksilver linestage with an Odyssey Candela las Fall. Took me every bit of fifteen minutes to know the Quicksilver was history. For $1100 new and a 20 year warranty; this preamp is the steal of the year. It's better than anything I've heard under $3000, and better than most under $4500. And best of all made in the USA.
gary
You assume Quicksilver preamps are all equal. Not true. Their Full Function Preamp is a lot different than their budget priced linestage. Weighs in more like an amp; gotta be 25 pounds or more. Way overbuilt; the power supply on this thing is huge. Helps get the dynamics right. Large scale orchestral pieces play very well. Betters the Music Reference RM-5 which I also own.AA inmate Marc Bratton has written several detailed posts about the Quicksilver Full Function Preamp. Convinced me to buy one. This piece of gear has to be owned to be appreciated.
1) Vacuumstate RTP-3d
2) Einstein "The Tube" (don't know about the dual volume criteria but its really good sounding.
3) Silvaweld SWC 1000
4) Nagra PLL or PLP
5) Wyetech Labs Opal
I recommend the Premier 17LS2 (the "2" is important here), which can be had on Audiogon for $3000-3500 used. Fabulous sound, VERY flexible in terms of inputs and outputs, and a great remote control. it was $6K new. I've had mine for a couple years, don't see anything out there that tempts me to "upgrade." Good luck.
I have one of these...only mine is the Audioprism Mantissa.
Dave
I don't know about "top 5," but the best linestages I've heard include the Audionote M-10 (maybe a Ferrari, but not the Enzo, as far as price), the Kondo M1000, and the Emotive Audio Epifania.The Audionote is extremely relaxed, natural and musical sounding, the Kondo, the same, but maybe a little less lush sounding. I really like both, but they are WAY expensive, and neither are remotely controllable.
I own the Epifania. This is a BIG step up from Emotive Audio's prior offerings (e.g., the Sira) -- much more neutral sounding (not quite as lush and "technicolor" in terms of dramatic harmonic fullness of the sound), much tighter and deeper bass, and more apparent detail, like the hall acoustics and the way notes decay.
The version I have has a 60-step remotely controlled volume control that also has remote control of balance. In other words, it has the "dual" volume control you seek, it's just that relays step the controls together to track volume changes. The actual steps are quite small so the 60 steps do not cover a very wide dynamic range. I had to specify inclusion of a switch that changes the range of sensitivity in order to utilize a wider range (my phono input needs more gain and when I feed my headphone amp I need more gain too).
It has two outputs that are controlled by the stepped attenuator, and another line level output. The remote also controls mute and input selection. My version also makes use of some quite pricey Teflon caps.
I'm pretty sure Don Allen could build a "dual volume control" version of his line stage. (He also has a phono stage.) As far as I'm concerned, due to the relatively-inexpensive price, I'd have a hard time finding "2 through 5" that would be of remotely-comparable value. (If I had to pick a #2, it's Supratek. But Supretek is expensive.)
It is not hard to find a splitter that offers 2 cables to be connected to one output. I've done that with several components with no problems. Many preamps have only one pair affected by volume control and one pair not affected by volume.
Wyetech Opal. It's The King of Pres; no owner ever sells his or hers.
Well the Modulus 3A meets both of those requirements and it is a very find sounding preamp as well.
Not even close to the best though.
I finally found a good combination with the Mod 2 and now like that preamp. The AIs have a lot of gain 30db so an amp with low gain or a volume control is needed.
I like Blue Circle, very musical. I bought mine used, very happy for the last 3 years, will not change.
The BAT VK-50SE I have had for over 5 years has those - balanced outputs, of course.Balance control - check.
The two sets of pre outs does limit the choices. You can always add one set, in parallel with the existing set, as is usually the case, as found, from the factories.
But, with your dual sets of pre out, I can heartily recommend the
Paragon E
Paragon 10,12
Audio Research SP-3A...
Luxman CL-32These vintage units will save you lots of money. Their use of 12AX7/ECC83 tubes makes it easy to dial in your level of sweetness, with various tube brands. The phono stage on the Paragons and Lux are Cascode tubes, which have a huge, dynamic sound. The Paragon E is bare bones, the 10/12 have tone controls.
I could receommend dozens of classic vintage preamps, if the dual sets of outputs were not a decision maker. Happy Tunes....
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