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I recently started the transition from audio enthusiast to audiophile. It is rough going thus far. I have Martin Logan Ascents, Odyssey Stratos Mono Blocks, and an Anthem AVM-20 Preamp. Many digital sources sound too thin and harsh with this setup, and several people have indicated I need tubes somewhere in the chain, perhaps at the preamp level since I have outstanding, albeit SS, amps. For 2 channel listening with the Logans, what is a good preamp that will give me the warmth I need but with minimal tradeoffs so my system isn't so clinical sounding? My Anthem AVM-20 is brand new, so I should be able to get $2,000 for it, which is my tube preamp budget...thanks in advance for any advice.
Follow Ups:
Well, I have almost your exact setup. I am using ML CLS IIz's, and Odyssey Monos. My preamp is the Audio Research LS 2mk2, which is a hybrid. If I changed/upgraded, the ARC LS 15 would be a contender.As for the Odyssey's being "hard to drive", I do not find that to be true with my preamp. The Odyssey Monos are a bargain. If Klaus charged $5000 or more per pair, and ran full page ads in the mags, everyone would be raving about these amps.
Not surprised you're finding the sound a bit bright with your setup; your amp/speaker combo is very revealing, and the Anthem certainly errs of the side of bright if not mated with the proper components, so I think you've picked the right piece to change to get a more "musical" sound. I think the Odyssey is a pretty difficult load impedance wise, so make sure whatever you try has a very low impedance output. A hybrid will probably work the best. One of the CJ's or Counterpoint might mate well, but I think I'd probably go with Eli's AVA first. Great build quality at a great price, and of course equally great sonics. Don't forget to ensure a clean stable source of AC for the Odyssey (you may or may not benefit from a line conditioner, but a stable 120V AC is a must), and experiment with line cords, IC's and speaker cables. At the risk of getting flamed, wires DO make a difference in my system. Good luck.
Odyssey SS amps are known to be difficult, relatively low impedance, loads to drive. Some tubed preamps will mate with your amps poorly because of that "low" impedance I/P. A hybrid preamp such as AVA's Transcendance 6 or Transcendance 7 will give you the tube midrange your ears need, while also providing the drive your amps require.FWIW, I own an AVA FET-Valve hybrid preamp. The FET-Valve is the Transcendance 7's precursor. I'm VERY satisfied.
Eli D.
Eli,
Not true. In real life we haven't found any true mismatches with tube pre amps. I'm reading over and over again that the 10 k input is so difficult for tubes and passives, when in fact the Stratos or all Symphonic Line amps(with the same 10K for all of them) for that matter just love tubes. Input impedance is just one factor, and I wish that you'd try a combination of the Stratos and any given variety of tube pres first before making such fundamental statements.Having said that, the Sl amps also just love tubes for sonic performance as well. Extremely good match with the amps.
Anyway, Wags, I'll give you a call tomorrow or so, and we can discuss several matches.
Later,
Klaus
Thanks for the post...my system is getting close to where I want to be. The only thing left is a tube preamp to deal with some of the poorly mastered digital material and some wall treatments. Love the amps! I had a standing wave in my listening room and had to move the Ascents 5 feet from the wall, and that solved the bass problem. The Anthem AVM-20 is a great home theatre preamp, and it solved the grainy sound I was getting in the mid-range from the Yamaha Receiver as preamp. Though the anthem is accurate, the Logans are too "clinical" and harsh on compressed/poorly mastered sources. Changing amps would be crazy, as the monos are the best value out there, and I need tons of power to drive the Ascents. Basically, I'm looking for a VERY "tubey" preamp for 2 channel, audiophile listening.
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