Help With New Preamp Decision

If you are going to look at Audio Research might as well add many solid state preamps to the list as that is what AR sounds like to me.  I'm no expert about Audio Research but I did spend a year going back and forth with a Ref 6 and Schiit Freya + as well as Benchmark LA4.  The Freya + has some nice tubes that cost near as much as the preamp so I only speak to it's sound based on using those tubes.  I never tried anything other than what came with the Ref 6.  If the Ref 6 wasn't a huge space heater I would prob marginally have preferred it but the guys at ARC should be scared at how close a 1000 preamp can come to a 15K preamp in sound.  ARC has it all, balance all the ins and outs you'd ever need and built like a tank.  Remote does it all too, power on and off and balance control (something the Freya lacks).  For me it was just not better enough than the Freya + and sounded more like the uber clean and detailed Benchmark than the warmth you get from the Freya + in tube mode.  You also get a totally different sound from Freya + in passive mode which can be fun for a change and also easy to switch off the tubes from the remote and still keep the system alive and running for short sessions that might not happen if you have to "warm up the tubes" to listen.  Seems like a lot of ARC fans on here.  My take is why bother with the hassle if you want a tube sound then why buy a unit that sounds like a solid state unit and have to deal with the hassle of tubes.  I still want a preamp that is better than both and has all the features of a full feature preamp and doesn't run as hot a space heater in the room. 

Sorry for the long delay in getting my thoughts together, it's been a hectic week at work. As I mentioned I went on a preamp listening tour last week and this past weekend, trying to hear several tube preamps on my list in situations where I'd have a chance to fairly compare them. There is no scientific way to do this, so I did the best I could. I am not great at describing my listening thoughts, these are my comments, on my experience, and in NO WAY is meant to be disrespectful and any equipment or anyone's preferences. Also no way to compare one of my finalists, the Aric Audio Motherlode XL 6SN7 preamp.....but I have had several occasions to hear his Super 6SN7 Linestage, which is where I learned of Aric's products.

On several of these trips (not the first trip with ARC REF 5 SE and Rogue RP-9), I was with my golfing buddy and fellow audiophile Patrick (who is luckily enough to not have some of my financial constraints), and is moving on from integrated amps to separate preamps and amps in two systems.....my wife bailed, probably a good decision for both of us.

My thoughts are listed in the order I demo'd them:

1. Rogue RP 9 $7,500 (was offered $7,000) – A really really good preamp. I found it hard to get into a critical listening session, it just involved me into the music. Strong points: quiet background, wide and high soundstage (not overly deep), instrument placement was really good but a bit forward on the stage, great detail, bass attack and clarity were excellent, highs were very detailed, instrument details (decay, edges, string plucks) quality much better than my current setup, thankfully this pre is good with the types of music that I listen to. Weak points: midrange and vocals were just a touch “off” maybe dry without as much tube warmth I’m looking for, a tad too revealing on lesser recordings (The Church “Under the Milky Way Tonight)….shows what is in the music, bass not as deep as others, not physically impressive as some other options….almost ordinary. I did not expect this preamp to be this good going into it.
2. ARC REF 5SE – A very good preamp, and technically excellent. Very attractive preamp, certainly a statement piece. I did not feel I was in the music, but listening to the music (if that makes sense at all), dealer wanted to start with classical music and jazz were much more engaging made them more enjoyable than I am accustomed to, very detailed, wide soundstage if not as high and deep, vocals had excellent detail but was missing more tube like sound, bass was very good….if just a touch rounded. Once started listening to my music, I guess I expected more; no doubt this is excellent. this was also a 7 year old unit with over 3000 hours on it, a few scratches on the top and sides that didn’t bother me….but one on the faceplate that was irritating to look at. Directly compared to the Rogue RP-9 at same location
3. BAT VK-80 $10,000 (I was offered a bit less) – First off, it’s just too expensive for me even with discounts, but it was available and many have recommended it......and it's on Patrick's list. This preamp is a work of art, just stunning, and it’s performance is excellent. Take all of the best parts of the ARC REF 5SE and this preamp is a bit better in most respects. Better deep bass, faster and more controlled, great instrument placement, soundstage the best I’ve heard to date, quite involving, balanced and revealing but in an enjoyable way…..no harsh edges, smooth, has some of that tube magic that I like. I could live with this as my final preamp at this point in my journey. Directly compared to the Rogue RP-9 at second location.
4. Backert Labs Rhumba 1.4 $5,000 – Really a very good preamp, but not as good as the Rogue RP-9…….I really didn’t spend too much time listening to it. It wasn’t as good as the Rogue RP9 in some respects, and it certainly wasn’t as good as what I heard next. Directly compared to the Rogue RP-9 and the Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 at the same location.
5. Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 $8,500 (offered new for $7,200) – Damn! I would loved to have the BAT VK-80 on hand to do a head to head comparison. Take my BAT notes and cut and paste here, maybe better? Really involving, lovely vocals, fast and smooth (I know, mutually exclusive), detailed without any hint of sharp edges, quiet, really good dynamics, goes deep with nice attack….not at all flabby, really physically attractive in a retro kind of style….well made. I could live with this as my final preamp, at least at this point in my system. Directly compared to the Rogue RP-9 and the standard Backert Labs Rhumba 1.4
6. Aric Audio Motherlode XL $6,125 - I have never heard this preamp directly, but have heard Aric's Super 6SN7 paired with a CODA amp on several occasions. I wanted to keep a 6SN7 based preamp in my final decision; and this one makes it based on previous experience with his other preamp, 6SN7 based, balanced AES48 standard, terrific reviews by some good people, have read dozens and dozens of positive user experiences with his equipment, quality of parts, and many great communications back and forth with Aric.

I'll add another post later tonight or tomorrow with final thoughts, and conclusions.

Final thoughts, and what I did (actually Patrick purchased too). I decided to purchase the Aric Audio Motherlode XL 6SN7 preamp. In the end I just like the idea of having a handmade point to point wired preamp, that is relatively easily upgraded if need be. I have had nothing but excellent communications with Aric, and have seen nothing but excellent reviews from owners on his equipment. I did get one upgrade, a set of "Bad Boy" Sylvania 6SN7 tubes......I will still have lingering thoughts on the Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4, that was a great preamp.

My friend purchased the BAT VK-80 preamp, I had it right up there with the Backert Rhumba Extreme personally.....but he certainly did love the sound and looks of the BAT

@vthokie83 your finalists are all well respected preamps.  Congratulations on the new Aric Audio Motherlode XL!  I hope after receiving it you can break away from the music long enough to let us know how satisfied you are!

Thanks jc4659, it's about 12 weeks out in production......so maybe May?