2. amps-preamps
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Older vs newer with comapinies like CAT & AI??

#What are some observations out about cost of newer gear versus older.I know that say after 10-15 years you need to worry about replacing Caps etc but when I see a AI Modulus 3 I wonder how much more of the 'oggds" I would get with a 3A.Saw a 3 posted rently for $600 versus twice that for 3A.I hear that the newest CAT "Ultimate" is overpriced.At $3500 used I wonder if one of the earlier variations might be better bet $$ wise.So I gues the issue unless a major change in desugn happens are newer variations of a piece which "evolves" worth it?Maybe a 6922 change over to a 6H30 would be a marked change but again I thought rently about Counterpoint or MFA Melos(one of the designers of this was Bruce Moore who developed Modulus for AI).I am thinking about newer product like Rogue 99 but when I see some older pieces even if they needed some work I guess I am trying to get high value as opposed to assuming latestis greatest.Thoughts?
chazzbo
artmaltman
769 posts
 
I've owned the AI Mod 3 and 3a and I think they are both fairly priced on the used market.
Art
twl
3,251 posts
 
Without letting the cat out of the bag, so to speak, there will be a new Bruce Moore preamp coming out next year, that will be affordable and have some exciting design features. This is sort of inside info, so I can't talk alot about it right now, but at the right time, I will do some in-depth posting about it. Right now, I am using an MFA Magus that has been factory modified, and it is real nice. The MFA and Counterpoint stuff is a real good value right now, but it should be re-capped.
chazzbo OP
1,007 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.Well that $550 MFA I saw was bypassed (for now) as I was first in ona posting for the Korus Eclispe.$1200 made me jump.Decent reveiws not just in the French press but elsewhere as well.Not that many preamps have dual inputs for seperate MM and MC sections.I guess maybe if I decide to keep only my Aries/12.5 and get some extra arm tubes than it won't be an issues and I would have prefered the adjustable loading on the Counterpoint 5000 (which had seperate MM and MC inputs but the cover had to be taken off to do it).But if I get a multi arm or just a second deck well it'd supposed to have a superb hybrid phono section so there I've saved even more dough than buying say and EAR with a cheaper rig.But bottom line this was this was a 4 year old $3500 pre that came up at a price where you just kick yourself for not having been quick on the draw.As far as Drawbacks go it needs the two pre-amps supplied.Why two?There are primary functions which only can be done via remote.We'll see about that one.But headphone,dual inputs,impressive supplied issolation points and cups well if it had a mono switch and phase I would have many of the ergonomics I'd design in myself.Anyway appreciate the feedback and in maybe a month I'll submit a review of the rig.
Cheers!
Chazz
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