2. amps-preamps
  3. 148481-1614

Preamp Upgrade

I have a Herron VTSP-1/166. Sounds great. Looking for better. I don't know a lot about preamps. I had been using a passive for years until I bought and Herron VTPH and found that they work best often with Herron preamps. Now I've found another phono stage I love and I'm thinking about upgrading the pre. Is there something incredibly simple (I'm vinyl only) that is an upgrade to what I have? Or have preamps not become better for the buck in the last 7 years and it's going to cost $3500 to improve on what I have?
dhcod
soix
9,796 posts
 
You should look into Don Sachs SP14 preamp.  You could get his pre with all the upgrades for a lot less than $3500. 
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,420 posts
 
I replaced a dual mono TVC in my system for better Dynamics and drive. But never expected the new preamp to beat the TVC for transparency. I highly recommend the Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3  for you. You will have to add the phono separately though.
teeshot
123 posts
 
+1 on Backert. 
sidvee
15 posts
 
I picked up a Rhumba 1.3 recently. Really love what the Rhumba is doing in my system.  The bass is well extended and there is a lush midrange coupled with smooth extended highs along with a wide and deep soundstage.  I have been through many pre-amps in the past decade ranging upto $8k (most recent was a Lamm ll2.1 deluxe) and I can confidently say that, in my system at-least the Rhumba 1.3 favorably competes with all of them.  Lastly the support I got from Andy at Backert was phenomenal.  Easily the best customer service that I have experienced in the recent past.  I highly recommend Backert to any one planning to get a tube preamplifier.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,420 posts
 
@sidvee
+1 on the Rhumba 1.3 preamp. Good to know that you were able to compare it to much more expensive preamp and it can compete. I changed the tubes to Gold Lions and the sound is even more natural. The bass became even more thunderous. And yes, Andy responds promptly and is very helpful. 
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