some other excellent preamps to add to your list IMO
Backert
Aesthetix
BAT
Atmasphere
Backert
Aesthetix
BAT
Atmasphere
preamp
I am looking to seek some guidance from 'experienced gurus' in this forum. I presently have a Tube mono blocks 'Auris Forte 150' it's from Serbia by Auris Audio paired with Tube( hybrid) preamp unicorn pre by unison research and speakers are Focal sopra N3. Sonically not fully satisfied. I am sure by replacing the preamp with a appropriate one I will achieve the 'highs ' and 'mids'.I want to replace the preamp and torn between
- Mcintosh C2600
- Audio research LS28
- VTL 5.5 iii.
I even came across chinese brand Cayin M11LS tube preamp. In the used market I looked at the McIntosh C1100 for about 60% of the retail. Bit over my budget.
All theses are in the same price range $7500 USD. I have never paid a full retail price on any of my equipment. Probably Mac I could get the best discount . I am not able to try any on these at home with my system. Even if I listen to these preamps they are set up with differently at the stores.
Appreciate fellow members thoughts.
- Mcintosh C2600
- Audio research LS28
- VTL 5.5 iii.
I even came across chinese brand Cayin M11LS tube preamp. In the used market I looked at the McIntosh C1100 for about 60% of the retail. Bit over my budget.
All theses are in the same price range $7500 USD. I have never paid a full retail price on any of my equipment. Probably Mac I could get the best discount . I am not able to try any on these at home with my system. Even if I listen to these preamps they are set up with differently at the stores.
Appreciate fellow members thoughts.
- ...
- 14 posts total
vishu It’s not the preamp that’s the problem. It’s a great amp the Auris Forte 150 tube amp, unfortunately it’s with the wrong speaker, which btw is also a great speaker but with the wrong amp.. These Focal’s of yours are a very good speaker, and though quite efficient at 89db and can work with amps of just 50watts they need to have very good current to get the best from the bass. https://www.stereophile.com/images/417FSop3fig1.jpgYou need an amp that is >50w into 8ohm and can come "close" to doubling that 100w into 4ohm and again 200w into 2ohm to get the very best out of these Focal Sopra 3’s. That means solid state amp or a big tube amp with low output impedance that has a 2ohm speaker tap. As that minimum impedance and - phase angle the Sopra’s have in the bass, can look like a 2ohm epdr load to the amp. Cheers George |
Tomic601 -what dont you like about your system ??????
Missing the upper treble response and crispiness. I feel the details are not fully revelled. I am thinking this is the trade off with fully tube amp and preamp. Initially I had Devialet integrated hooked up to Focal N3, that definitely was not to my liking. After getting the Auris Tube Mono’s I like the laidback, warm rich sound . Wondering by changing the preamp will I be able to improve the highs.
|
georgehifi come to realize each component by them self are good , combining them is the issue. I spoke to the Engineer at Auris he said ' great match with focal N3'. Just find the depression in the upper treble. I am not going to change my speaker or the amp at this time, I am bent on trying different preamp. And try to test it with different speaker cable, presently I have the Transparent Audio. I like 80% try and get another 10% more than I am happy ( hopefully) |
It’s not the preamp that’s the problem. It’s a great amp the Auris Forte 150 tube amp, unfortunately it’s with the wrong speaker, which btw is also a great speaker but with the wrong amp..This statement is false. The speaker is an easy load for an amp like the Forte 150 (which behaves as a voltage source). @vishu, The web does not have a lot of information about this amplifier (including the manufacturer's website). Do you know if its internally balanced or is the XLR connection just there for convenience? |
- 14 posts total