Preamp suggestion for Coincedent M300B Frankenstein mk2

Statement pre not near it's potential with stock 101D tubes, no color, low level of transparency, resolution, I'd not think much of it in that configuration. An analog to it would be like comparing run of the mill Shuguang 300B vs any of the top flight 300B tubes in 300B amp, you'd not have really heard your 300B amp with the Shuguang.

Any component running tubes can only be properly considered in the context of running top flight tubes in it, anything less cannot be considered a full accounting.

@sns

Statement pre not near it’s potential with stock 101D tubes, no color, low level of transparency, resolution, I’d not think much of it in that configuration. An analog to it would be like comparing run of the mill Shuguang 300B vs any of the top flight 300B tubes in 300B amp, you’d not have really heard your 300B amp with the Shuguang.

Much in agreement , although my impression with the budget priced stock 101D isn’t quite as harsh. I am sure a decision made in an effort to keep cost of the Line Stage very reasonable. With stock 101Ds it’s still a very good sounding/performing component.

However the full sonic brilliance is hampered by the lesser quality tubes. Replacing them with the upper tier 101D completely erases the bottleneck and allows the Statement to absolutely shine unhindered. The 300b analogy by @sns is on the mark. I’d say 80% potential versus full 100% sound quality. In both cases (Line Stage and amplifiers) it makes no sense to have excellent components limited by inferior/average tubes. They deserve the top quality alternatives.

I can easily believe that the Coincident Frankensteins paired beautifully with the Shindo preamplifier. Why not? Two wonderful components. Before I decided to purchase a new Statement Line Stage, I’d given serious consideration to purchase a used Shindo Masseto (Thanks to the late Art Dudley’s enthusiasm) preamplifier (with its unique Telefuken pentode circuit). I have absolutely no doubt I would have loved this matched to my Frankenstein 300b mono blocks.

There is always more than one path to superb sound quality. I truly believe that the Masseto would have been one. In the end I was just drawn to the use of the DHT 101D in a minimalist circuit utilizing interstage and volume control transformers. In essence DHT feeding DHT 300b SET amplifier. The results have been sublime for me. The best quality 101D are a necessity. One of the very best audio decisions I have made.

Charles

In many other tube pre's changing out tubes may not have as great effect as 101 in Statement. Statement tube is analogous to power tube in amp, being only tube in circuit it has large effect on sound quality, especially the more transparent, resolving one's system is. With Statement I've easily heard the differences between MkI and II, addition of Amtrans rotary selector, Audio Note vs. Nichicon electrolytics, Takman carbon film vs metal oxide resistors, and Shuguang and Psvane stock tubes, Psvane WE, Linlai Elite Mesh and Solid plate tubes. Not to speak of power cords, fuses, power conditioners.