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 

I've never owned or even heard an Aric preamp but I do own a Don Sachs and a Supratek so I'm familiar with that 6SN7 sound profile.  I think you will enjoy it and will find it different than the 6DJ8 based Herron.  

 

larsman

Congrats on the Super 6SN7 preamp.....I'd love to hear your experience when you have some time on it. I own Aric's Motherlode XL and Transcend "Push Pull" EL34 (with several upgrades including tubes), and those are end game for me. I will add a second preamp and another amp at some point, but those two are staying.

I'd speak with Aric if you have any questions on the Khozmo controller, he's very accessable

@vthokie83 - thanks! It should be showing up within the next few hours.  Aric and I have already been in communication, as I wanted to get his take on tube upgrades (do you have any suggestions? I've gotten some from Aric and from Brent Jessee) and to let him know that I'll likely be buying a Transcent Push-Pull; he suggested for my purposes and gear basing it around the Tung-Sol KT-170 tubes. 

So if you've got any advice for me concerning tube compliment or anything else about Transcend, I'd really appreciate hearing it! 

@larsman  nice choices…I love my Aric amp and he’s such a great guy as well.  I have an Aric Super 300B Set amp paired with a Supratek Cabernet 6SN7 preamp.  Just a pair made in heaven.  I have rolled and researched many 6SN7 tubes.  There are many good choices but I keep coming back to my 1952-53 Sylvania 6SN7GT, GTA, WGT versions.  They are just magical in my 2 amps.  Sylvania makes a-lot of various versions so the best ones , in my mind, are late 40’s-early 50’s short bottle with heavy chrome getter running down the sides and only the parallel  T-Plate with rectangular  Mica’s..  (NOT THE ANGLES V PLATES). The military versions have extra support rods and brown bases are most common.  I feel they sound very similar if not the same.  Just my experience and 2 cents. Enjoy the preamp.

Here is an example of a nice pair. https://ebay.us/m/aajZ45