@triton20trx and @ei001h - thanks - I know about tube rolling; I've upgraded tubes in both my Herron components and in my 2 tube headphone amps, including one with a couple of WE 300B's in it (and those were well worth the $1200). And yes, when I'm looking for a tube upgrade, my first stop is generally Brent Jessee. Been going to him for a lot of years now.
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!
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@gkr7007 - I did indeed look into the Spatial Audio Raven, but it's too big for the space I have available; same reason I didn't look farther into the Aric Audio's preamps; if I had the space and could figure out some way around the lack of mute on the remote, I'd have bought a Motherlode XL. LTA MicroZOTL and Backert Rhumba Extreme both would fit nicely; in fact, I've already gone ahead and placed an order for a MicroZOTL for audition. |
Larsman I went on an extended preamp search myself last year, and this year have helped several friends upgrade their preamps as well.......must have tested at least 13 preamps. With that year long experience, here would be my choices in order: Aric Audio Motherlode XL $6,875 Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven $6,395 (Sold and assembled by Spatial Audio) Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 $8,500 Supratek Grange $6,500 (The Cabernet model is a step down, but is a steal at $4,000 for the budget minded) Atma-Sphere MP-3 $6,500 BAT VK-80 $9,000 The Aric Audio Motherlode XL is the best preamplifier I have ever heard. Aric Kimball is a joy to deal, he uses the highest quality components, is point to point wired, and allows you to choose the wood for your preamp. I own this preamp as do 3 of my friends, it is magical in every aspect. Highly thought of most everywhere, and well reviewed. The Raven preamp is really close to the Motherlode XL, and 2 of my friends prefer it to the Motherlode XL It really is a brilliant. Also highly thought of in almost all circles, and well reviewed. Don and Lynn have decades of experience in preamp and amp design, and this is the result of a "no holds barred" approach. The Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 is a preamp that that I could absolutely love and keep for a lifetime......if I had not heard the Motherlode and Raven. There is a ton of love for this preamp on forums, and reviewers love it too.....it's really really good. The SupraTek Grange, Atma-Sphere MP-3, and BAT preamps are also wonderful preamps. They are not in my top 3, but many many people own them and love them. I'd never fault anyone who prefers these preamplifiers. My good friend Patrick prefers his BAT VK-80 over any other preamp, and he has been with me on most of my journey.....and hears the same systems I do. |
@vthokie83 What were the differences you heard between the Aric and Raven? |
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