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OK. here it is, I'm looking for a new preamp (or used) I want a tube or tube hybrid. I need line, phono and remote, prefer something that sounds a little faster than overly warm or tubey. Current system: music hall mmf-7 cal icon markII w/powerboss currently no pre and a mCcormick dna 0.5 amp, paradigm studio 60 v2. I like rock, classical and female vocals. Price range $700.00 to $1500.00 new or used (if used I prefer no more than 3 to 4 years old) Any choices out their? Thanks for any feedback, Greg
Follow Ups:
I have the new Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence Seven. It is the best Pre-amp that I have had in my Home. Better yet - You can order one and if you don't agree you can send it back for a full refund within 30 days.
Cut-Throat
Audible Illusion M3A should fit your bill. There are several in audiogon. Rogue 66 magnum or 99 is also an excellent choice.
Greg, I have owned several Audio Research preamps and the SP9-Mk. II and III meet the criteria you described. They can be found used and a remote can be added at the factory, (but it ain't cheap to add.) I found them both to be good performers and are fast and clean. I did not really like the Mark I.
How does the SP-9 compare with some of the newer preamps? It has been suggested on this board a couple of times that technology as passed ARC..... I would love to replace my ss passive line stage and phono pre with a SP-9 mk 3 but I've been temporarily scared off.
Technology has passed ARC by? Now that is an interesting thought. I would have thought they were out there in the front of things. Certainly there are more people and companies making tube and hybrid equipment there days. The LS-16 is the only newer ARC preamps I have lived with. It is different from the SP-9 II and III in that it is faster with better resolution. And I think better soundstaging as well. But the SP-9 Mark III is still a good sounding preamp. As anyone will tell you, system matching is important, but when I put in my first ARC preamp in place of an SS preamp, it made a world of difference for me. Granted it was not an expensive preamp, but nonetheless...
How important is the remote control to you? AVA's Transcendance 6 and Transcendance 7 hybrid preamps (SL chassis) will SATISFY all of your other requirements. As compensation for the "missing" remote control, you get a nice headphone amp as part of the "package'.
Eli D.
Thanks for all the input, The remote control is the least important feature. (it would just be nice to have) Would a CJ PV12 fall into the slightly slower and exta tubey sound that I'm trying to avoid? Any other options? Thanks, Greg
> > Would a CJ PV12 fall into the slightly slower and exta tubey sound that I'm trying to avoid? < <I believe that to be the case. CJ's reputation is for a warmer more tubey sound than ARC.
FWIW, I own an AVA FET-Valve hybrid preamp (precursor to the Transcendance 7). That "glow" in the midrange that only tubes can provide is present. The bass is fast, taut, and fully extended, like that produced by good SS preamps. The combination is quite seductive.
Eli D.
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