2. amps-preamps
  3. 128810-1642

Specific Pre-Amp advice


I would really like to get some help from the Forum. Late 2017 early 2018 I am getting a new pre-amp. My options to hear gear are low (common issue). Probably be buying blind which I have done in the past in conjunction with research. Here is the run down. 

Budget: 2500 possibly pushed to 3k. Looking for used gear (pretty much ruling out new).

1. I am leaning heavily toward a tube pre.
2. I would like a remote but its not a deal breaker if it gets me better SQ
3. Line stage only. Don't really need a phono stage as I have a stand alone
4. It needs to be active. 
5. Feeding SS amp with 100k input impedance 
6. Primary used with Vinyl front end. Would like it to handle three sources. (Radio, Dac/CD and Input for TT)
7. 2 channel only no pass through needed or wanted. 
8. Single Ended RCA Connection. My amp does not have true balance connections 

Current System 

VPI Prime 
SS Aida Cart
MS Nova Phomoma 
Exposure 17
Exposure Dual Reg 4
Vienna Acoustic Mozart Grands 

I am looking to get more resolution. A more liquid sound. Bigger soundstage and get more of the recording space into my room. 

My preference is for an open/transparent neutral sound slightly tipped to the warm side in the highs. Slight roll off maybe. I like a fast quick musical sound with tight quick bass. Not looking for tube romance or rounded bass. I absolutely would like to stay away from bright sounding gear. Also super etched is not to my thing. I fall in the musicality camp. 

Any suggestions that would help me achieve this sound would be appreciated. These qualities defiantly take system matching into account. Pretty happy right now but I think I can do better.



darkstar1
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,404 posts
 
I concur with those extolling the Herron VTSP-3A. I have owned several preamps from ARC and Modwright and while each had virtues the Herron is a far superior linestage. Keith is a pleasure to deal with and builds intelligently designed, reliable equipment and then supports his products in the field with unmatched integrity. While Herron is perhaps better known for the VTPH-2 phono stage, the VTSP-3A is an equally spectacular find. I'm driving a solid state Modwright KWA-150SE with mine (50K input impedance) and together they always make great music. At a lower price point I would look into the Linear Tube Audio MicroZ2s. I heard this with the ZOTL40 at Urban HiFi a few months back and though the system and room were unfamiliar they made very good sound. Mark and his team at LTA are great folks and are producing innovative, world class Berning designs at real world prices. Definitely worth checking them out! 
darkstar1 OP
180 posts
 
Dodgealum 

What great input. I know you can't exactly know where the Micro Z2s stands because you were not familiar with the room or system but please elaborate as much as you can or can take and educated guess on the differences between the sonic signatures between the Herron and the Mirco. 

Any input on sonic signatures/presentations styles and differences Between the Herron, Modwright, Arc and the Micro would be very helpful. I know not perfect but I am doubtfully there are to many here with the insight you have as you heard all of them. 

This is the exact info I was after and you are familiar with top choices including the ARC. 

Any info greatly appreciated. 
micatel
7 posts
 
I made the jump from solid state to tube pres with ARC gear (SP6B then LS17) years ago driving ss amplification.  I liked the tube "laid back presentation" with silky highs but the mids were slightly masked and I lived with the low end bloom.  The channel separation and resulting imaging was not what I was used to having had dual mono ss pre's (ML and Krell).  Tube rolling improved the sound overall and it was fun to listen to (albeit with "euphonic coloration").   

Last year I went out and listened to an LS25 and some of the latest ARC gear...  I heard a friend's dual mono Balanced Audio Technology tube pre (with full access remote control) and bought it on the spot (VK-31SE can be found used for under $2K now).  The pre offers balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA ins/outs. For me, it offers the most realistic sound I've heard yet with the best attributes of tubes/solid state combined to reproduce music for under $2K.  The build quality is outstanding. The downside; this unit uses (4) 6H30 "super tubes" - sources are extremely limited so no tube rolling (and they're expensive).  I'm told to expect five year tube life so the life cost is manageable.   
darkstar1 OP
180 posts
 

Micatel
 
Do you find BAT warm moving from your SS state gear. Everything I read in marketing always states how warm the gear is. 


micatel
7 posts
 
The ARC gear I had was much warmer sounding than the ss pre's.  The BAT I have is very neutral since changing interconnects to the amp (the mids were actually slightly forward with the cables I had been using for the ARC gear).  I can understand how some describe BAT as warm since it never seems to "strain" regardless of volume (great headroom).  

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