The Audible Illusions has 2 volume controls and no balance control. One for the left channel, one for the right. While it has received great reviews for sound, it might be inconvenient for some to use verses a preamp with a single volume control & a balance control. You will be adjusting the balance every time you adjust the volume. For a similar preamp, I suggest a MFA Magus C, a bit old but excellent sound.
How should I upgrade? A new preamp with a phono stage or just a phono preamp?
I have a Bottlehead Moreplay tube preamp running with a B&K Pro-10 MC preamp. I use the B&K because it has a phono stage and a tape loop for my thiel CS 3.5 bass eq. My amp is a Mccormack DNA Deluxe 0.5. I switch between Klipsch KG 4s and Thiel CS 3.5s for speakers. I was thinking about upgrading to a new tube preamp with a phono stage (Audible Illusions Modulus 3a) or just getting a phono preamp and keeping the Bottlehead Moreplay. Either way I want to get rid of the B&K preamp. Thank you for your time
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Tubes/tubes/tubes, my preference I always recommend FEATURES, the vintage tube preamps have it all. (except remote) Using my McIntosh mx110z as an example only because I know it best (although I had similar full features on prior McIntosh SS C28 preamp). http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/Downloads/MX110_own.pdf no MC input, but two switchable MM phono inputs which is handy. Has your needed tape loop; many inputs; trim controls to match volume of inputs when changing sources; Balance; tone; filters; loudness for very low level listening; and importantly the MODE switch. Other makers, models exist with full features. This vintage stuff is what they made their reputations with! I bought mine, then sent it to Audio Classics for test/replace parts matching existing (i.e. not 'upgrades', keep original). Best thing they did was put new gold plated rca jacks, the old ones were corroded, and they were slightly undersized. Came back totally quiet, I couldn't be happier. I paid around $1,100. and another $1,100 to Audio Classics (early 2019, prices for everything way up since then). I get remote volume from my Cayin tube amp. I used to have remote balance, I think I will put my Chase RLC-1 back in play, perhaps only use it via tape loop. I have R2R, but only use mx110z Play IN (Tape monitor) It has two sets of identical outputs, how are you switching to speakers a to b now? MUST have remote for RLC-1, no face controls, a door stop without the remote.
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We came across an old Conrad Johnson tube phono stage and even in stock form it sounds really good. If you want the best sound you can from LP then you would be compromised to go with an all in one unit. We repair and modify components and even the old Counterpoint preamps that we upgrade are not as good as the CJ as a stand alone unit. The B&K is a basic good preamp but overall really nothing special. Same goes for the AI which is typically hard on tubes and as a preamp is bettered by the Prima Luna tube preamp linestage. Happy Listening.
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