2. amps-preamps
  3. 129834-151

Should I Switch Preamps?

Hi all,  I've got the itch to change things up... I'll try not to make this too lengthy.  I've been using an Odd Coda preamp... when looking for a pre in 2010,  I contacted Doug at Coda.  At that time Coda was switching over from the Line Stage CL to a unit that has phono built in CP.... He had 1 CL circuit boards left, but was out of CL chassis's,  but had 1 Windows Continuum 4 Chassis.  So I own a Coda CL that looks like a Continuum 4.  At the time I had the very best Sumo Model Nine that I had ever seen... Back in the my Marcof/SpeakerCraft Days,  we used to Sell Sumo and Modded many.... I snagged a Nine and took it to Ed Martin of Marcof.... He looked at the circuit carefully at one time, he debated Jim B about some things in this amp,  but cost was an issue so the Nine Is what it Is.... Ed took this Nine and transformed it.   Well,  I had a lightening strike about 2 years ago and lost my Nine.  I purchased a Coda Unison 3.1 to use until I decided what to do.... You guys that know this Integrated know that it is 125 watts to 8 and 250 to 4 with the first 35 watts being Class A.....I finally took my Old Sumo to Ed,  the original outputs are obsolete.  he has found a Motorola that he can do a few mods to the amp  and make it work fine...  so I hope to get my old Sumo back with even more improvements soon....  
So my Coda CL.... Coda is so well known for their amps but you just don't hear much about their pre's.... Overall, I have been very happy with this, I've compared it to a Pass X10 and the very picky and Proud X10 owner ended up saying that he couldn't tell them apart. Which isn't surprising considering the Coda heritage.... 
Still,  I have the itch to try something else.... I've decided to sell my Coda integrated and my Coda Pre,  get another pre and use some home brewed Abletec Class D amps until my Sumo is back.... I'm just praying that I don't kick myself for letting my Coda go for a song and getting something that  don't like as well.  
So,  even though my thought has searched through tubes,  in the past,  I got tired of tube rolling and not leaving my pre on and I really think that I'm staying solid state...  My budget is preferred to at $1000 to maybe $1700....
My Shortlist as been:
Jeff Rowland Capri
Conrad Johnson Premier 18LS (but I'd like 2 sets of outputs for a sub)
Audio Research LS-12
Bel Canto Pre 2 or Pre 3
Lastly would consider a Classe Six or CP60 or possibly a Muse Model 3 Signature...
Overall, I prefer the rich organic textured mid range of tubes, but the frequency extensions of SS.  
Overall sound stage is as important to me as frequency balance... 
I've seen at one time or another, every pre on my list within my budget range.  Any opinions or other options are appreciated.  I will most likely list my Integrated and pre here on Agon first along with a Technics SP25 with an ATP-12T arm  that I have filled with dampening putty and it is quite dead.  
So My audiophile brothers and sisters,  please advise. 
Tim 








timlub
timlub OP
2,043 posts
 
This could be helpful to others,  thanks to @almarg     I decided to contact Audio Research as the LS12 has been high on my list...
The outputs single ended and balanced on Audio Research Preamps are indeed paralleled... So there could be significant issues driving more than one device.  I have also emailed Velodyne,   looking for the input impedance of my sub,  as of now,  they have not answered.  If I get this info,  I'll post it.
For all of those with the great advice given,  at this minute,  I am leaning toward spending a few more dollars and waiting for a Jeff Rowland Capri S2 to show up on the used market.  Depending on what Velodyne tells me,  I suppose the Audio Research could still be in play.  I am hesitant about the AR because of so little info about its sound quality.
soix
10,186 posts
 
So I'm going to be the voice of evil here.  Sorry Tim.  I'm in the same boat as you and I value the same sonic traits you're looking for.  I really like my SS pre but am just looking for something different and perhaps a little bit more organic sounding.  Your Coda sounds like a pretty darn good pre, and you've obviously already compared it to some other fine SS pres without hearing much if any improvement.  Not sure you're really going to find something significantly "better" or "different" in the SS realm at your price point, and if that's the case then what's the point, right?  That's my issue as well. 

I've decided to try tubes, and the preamp seems like the best place to do it as long as it doesn't chow expensive tubes.  I'm seriously considering giving a Sachs SP14 a try, and it's in your price range new.  He gives a (admittedly short) three-day trial period, so what the hell?  C'mon -- I dare ya.  He has identified tubes that work very well with his design so rolling should be nil, but I have no idea on impedance or sub issues so there's still that.  

So here I am trying to suck you back into tubes.  What can I say?  Misery loves company.  Best of luck. 

timlub OP
2,043 posts
 
@soix 
Well brother,   you are the voice of reason... I've owned a few tubed pieces and like my solid state stuff,  the longer you leave it on the better it has sounded.  I supposed that I could find something that had a couple simple tubes in it that wasn't crazy expensive to replace.... I just found it a headache to turn the system on an hour before I wanted to listen or to turn it on with intent of coming back in 45 minutes to an hour and  it ends up that I did not listen at all.  Never know,  I may end of being miserable with you. 
timlub OP
2,043 posts
 
My impedance questions are answered.  Velodyne could not give me any answers on the phone, but they finally found and emailed me schematics,  so a quick forward of emails to my buddy Ed and I am good to go...
Here is my final search:

Jeff Rowland Capri S2
GamuT D3
Audio Research LS12

So,  yes for the Rowland, my budget will need to go up a bit. 
If everyone would keep their eyes and ears open for me, I'd be grateful.  I am willing to pay market value for these pieces,  no more,  but I won't try to rob anyone either...
Appreciate you all,
Tim
russbutton's avatar
russbutton
460 posts
 
If you're one of those guys who buys audio the way you buy a car or your furniture, then ignore me.  But if you've really got the huevos to be a real audiophile, build an Aikido preamp with the boards from Glassware Audio.

http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/index.html
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