2. amps-preamps
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Suggestions for a holographic preamp?

I'm looking to replacing my Herron Audio tube line stage with something else, not because of a problem with the sound, but for a few other reasons.

I do both digital and analog, and have a Herron Audio tube phono preamp. My power amp is an MSB S-200, which is awesome, and my speakers are Marten Parker Duos, which are wonderful for a deep, holographic soundstage that I like so much.

I listen mostly to rock and reggae, and I'm looking to keep the price under $10K US, and I'm fine with a used one as well.

I get the feeling that I will need a tube preamp to get that holographic sound, but perhaps there are some SS ones that do as good a job?

The fellow I work with at The Music Room suggested a ModWright LS-100 or a used PS Audio BHK preamp; I've researched and they both look like they'd fit the bill, but I'd like to hear your suggestions, too! 

larsman
larsman's avatar
larsman OP
2,578 posts
 

@soix and @oddiofyl - That would be ideal, but as I mentioned above: 

these are custom programmed and a universal remote will not work with the preamp. As of now, he says he can be contacted if one needs to buy a replacement remote, but when it's down to one guy and probably a limited supply of remotes.... 

@rmdmoore - thank you for that - I'd like to hear more about that LS-100. I've gone on YouTube and Dan Wright has videos talking about the LS-99 and the LS-300, but there is nothing I could find on the 100.  I guarantee any remote it has is more substantial than this - I wish I could post a picture of it, you'd laugh - and it would probably be able to be programmed with a universal remote. 

Again, thanks to everybody contributing suggestions; I have a few thousand dollars at the Music Room from another unit I'm returning (not a preamp) and I'd like to get something new or used (whether in stock now or likely to be in stock soon) from them to apply it to. They do have a number of those suggested. 

Any thoughts on McIntosh tube preamps in that general price range? I've never owned any McIntosh gear but the descriptions of some of them on forums and reviews sound like what I'm after too, and some even have a DAC and phono preamp, which may or may not be up to how I hear what I currently have. 

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,366 posts
 

Buying multiple backup remotes from Herron would be a solid option.

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,221 posts
 

Another recommendation for the Spatial Audio Raven (yes I have one). Think there's (ask 'em) 30/60 trial period. Raven is a special Pre.

larsman's avatar
larsman OP
2,578 posts
 

Also, can anybody tell me anything about impedance matching between pre- and power amps? 

cfarrow's avatar
cfarrow
119 posts
 

@larsman 

Remote?  Just buy another one or two from Keith.  I have his ESP360 reference and it does everything you want.  My soundstage width, depth and height are incredible and the dynamics and detail I am getting are off the charts good.  I have owned a lot of the gear mentioned on this thread and no way I would change out my Herron for any of these.  My feed back is pushing 1000 on A-gon, bought and sold a lot over the years. I have Tron 211 and Audiopax Model 88 amplifiers for reference, mHorn Mummy speakers, Wavelenght DAC with Sonore Signture streamer and SonicTransport for server.  I did upgrade the tubes in the Herron to Sieman’s 6dj8 tubes and it definitely was a step up over the stock tubes.

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