Preamp upgrade
Hi all. Looking for some Reva or just to be told that it likely doesn’t get much better. Current preamp audio research ls-7 which was an audiogon purchase 12 years ago 550.00. Upgrade consideration ARC ref 3, ARC GSPre, Elliott Studio Arts 66-001, aesthetix Janus, audible illusion 3b, etc. rest of the system is parasound Jc 5 amp. eat c-sharp TT, McIntosh MP100 phono pre bluenode streamer and vandersteen treo carbon ct. audio quest cables throughout. I am wondering if the preamp upgrade for thousands more will provide any real marginal gain. Looking forward to the chat
jelliott78 I would highly recommend you look at these tube preamps. All are hand made, point to point wired, using the highest quality components: Aric Audio Motherlode II (RCA only $5,475), Aric Audio Motherlode XL (RCA & XLR $6,475), Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp $5,895, or Supratek Cabernet $4,000 or Supratek Grange $6,000 For transparency, I do own the Aric Audio Motherlode XL......best preamp that I have ever heard. The Raven was really really close, and could live with it for life too |
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I am wondering if the preamp upgrade for thousands more will provide any real marginal gain. @jelliott78 The short and long answers both involve 'yes'. Since your amps support balanced line, I would consider a balanced line preamp so as to get the most out of the cables and the amps. The balanced line system has standards in place that have been there for decades. Not all balanced preamps in high end audio support the standards. The standards are useful as they prevent coloration from interconnect cables and also prevent ground loops. The main standard is known as AES48. You can ask the manufacturer of a potential preamp if its supported. The second aspect is the ability to drive a lower impedance such as 600 Ohms. This is harder for a tube preamp but they do exist. If you get a preamp that supports both aspects of balanced line operation you won't have to worry about what cable sounds the best ever again; to my thinking that's a real benefit! Good Luck on the quest! |
“ The exponential increase in price of let's say a Ref 6SE over your LS7 will not give an exponential increase of quality reproduction. Most of us in this hobby spend a LOT more money than one could justify chasing nuance and the thrill of a high quality new component. ” thanks for this yesiam. I suspect that while it will sound good none of the equipment will sound marginally better for the cost. |
