2. amps-preamps
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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
darkstar1 OP
180 posts
 
I am familiar with Ayre. 

My closest friend has the K-1x5 pre into 5 series amp. 

He has the Ayre Phono and VPI Classic with similar cart into Golden Ear Triton 1s. 

I respect it. I am trying to get that type off resolution and added smoothness. A little too rich and warm for my taste. I also like more typical SS bass.  
gregfisk
118 posts
 
I did hear the Don Sachs SP14 pre in my system mentioned earlier in this thread and it is the most open sounding pre I have ever heard. I would go to Don’s web site and also Audio Circle and read all of the reviews. He custom builds them for you and I’m told he is a great guy. I read somewhere in the reviews that someone compared the SP14 to I believe the ARC LS-25 Mk II pre mentioned above and they said it was no comparison. I have not heard Arc gear myself so can’t comment on the differences. Here’s a link, the great thing about buying from a small company owner is you don’t pay the at least 50% mark up the big names charge, so you get way better parts and custom products you just can’t get from the big guys. http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/custom%20line%20stage.html
good luck with your purchase whatever you decide.

Greg
soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
This article might help:

http://www.dagogo.com/boppin-down-memory-lane-preamps



soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
foes

Buying blind is not a mistake. I can attest to that. I got my last wife "blind" from Russian. She wasn't blind so no need to feel sorry for her. But I went to a Russian website and paid $$$$ for her, no blow up for me. So no mistake there. Actually she was my next to the last wife I had. Sometimes I get confused about them. 




soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
Darkstar

didn't mean to scare you with that last post, although after reading that just now I think it might be time to check in for treatments or get back on my medication. 

Just curious what are you thinking. I must tell you that as a dealer, seems like years ago, I was  totally smitten with the Ultraverve. It bested my sophia-electric LA 150 easily as well as my Art Audio. This is such a bargain I can't even begin to describe it. 

Best
Jim
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