Recommendations please!
So I am flirting with getting a new (at least to me) preamp. I currently run an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A with the MC phono boards. It's a great preamp that I have been using for maybe ten years, and heartily recommend it to others. I have thoroughly enjoyed it -- except for the lack of remote. I am getting to find it tedious to get up to mute it or adjust volume every time I need to do so. And at ten years of use, it's about the oldest piece in my system, so a change just for the heck of it wouldn't be unwelcome.
I need plenty of inputs (Phono, DAC, CDP, tuner, a couple of aux (for more phono!), and would like both phono section and balance control/dual mono (the Mod 3A is dual mono). Obviously, a remote. Amp is a recently upgraded MacCormack DNA-1. I want something that will sound at least as good as what I have now. Used is possible, but I'm not interested in vintage this time around. I like, but don't necessarily require, tubes. No need for balanced inputs.
Budget? Let's keep it under $3K USD -- preferably WELL under.
Tall order, right? That's why I've kept the AI Mod3A so long . . .
Thoughts?
@nymarty I sent my DNA 0.5 Rev A to SMcAudio for the GT22 upgrade (no added options), which is the full rebuild plus the Gravity Base Jr. and should be getting it back very soon, and if you’d like I can relay my thoughts. My 0.5 died due to what was likely the dreaded input board failure that you probably know is fatal and can’t be repaired. My decision was to spend $2500 on the upgrade or possibly go with one of the new GaN amps that are getting great reviews. It was a very hard decision, but in the end I knew I really loved the sound of my amp so making it a lot better seemed like more of a sure thing versus going with a relative unknown and a relatively new technology, plus the GaN amps I was looking at were considerably more expensive than the SMcUpgrade (AGD Tempo di GaN, Atma-Sphere Class D) so all things considered I went with the bird in the hand and here we are. |
@rnm4 Thanks! @soix let me know what you think when you get it back. I’ve read here that many have done it and are very happy with results. I’ve been guessing it would cost about $3K plus shipping etc. there are some really good new and more recent used options at that price so have to give it more thought. Thanks! |
@nymarty Will do. Your DNA-1 would be $2800 for the same upgrade and $3500 if you choose the full Gravity base instead of the Jr. version, so your guess was right in the ballpark. |
You didn't mention what kind of amp you use. Have you considered an integrated amp? Sometimes they are a much better value. I was in your exact shoes 15 or so years ago and was looking to replace my preamp which sounded fine, but had not remote. After looking for a preamp with a remote for a reasonable price, I ended up getting a lightly used Plinius 8200MKII (Class AB solid state). Still have it and it sounds great. I sold my old amp and preamp and the integrated ended up being less expensive. Also comes with an adjustable phono section which I used for a long time until I took the plunge for an external phono stage (Sutherland Insight LPS). Can't beat the Sutherland for quiet detailed sound, and great value. I know...it's solid state.....but the dead black sound is preferable to me over "warmth". Plinius is not highly distributed in the US, but they are available. I think a new one that is based on the 8200MKII goes for around $4K, but you can get used or rebuilt 8200s for less than $2K. |
