2. amps-preamps
  3. 1400260334

Fred Volz and Emotive Sira Pre Amp

After many years enjoying my aging Audible Illusions Modulus preamp, I finally began searching for a replacement. About a year ago I ran across Emotive and their Sira line of tubed preamps. I had considered an AES, Cary, newer Audible Illusions, Prima Luna, and even Supratek. But, I kept going back to the Sira, I just had a difficult time justifying the cost vs. all of the others.

From the pictures it is a beautiful piece of audio gear. However, finding reviews on it are a little difficult. I would see occasional used ones on the market, but never quite pulled the trigger. I decided to contact Fred at Emotive to determine what upgrades could be done to a used one. After much correspondence, I decided to have Fred build one for me rather than buying used.

I am a bit of a guinea pig on this build as Fred is making some slight changes from the existing Sira. I do not pretend to understand audio circuitry so I can only say that the biggest difference is the chassis will be aluminum rather than the existing stainless steel. Perhaps Fred will see this thread and chime in.

I am hoping this new model Sira will sound as good as the limited reviews I have read of the existing Sira. The build is in process so delivery is still TBD.

I will use this thread to chronicle the process and the result. I realize that it's a little unfair comparing a new boutique built preamp to a 25y/o circuit board based tube preamp, but it will have to do.

I would like to have found more reviews on the Sira, but there is little out there to read. My experience so far is that Fred is an easy gentleman to work with and the gear that he makes is beautiful in my opinion. I will be honest in my assessment of it's audio and aesthetic qualities, so stay tuned to this thread for updates. My hope through this thread is to provide more information for anyone considering one of Fred's creations.

Fwiw my current set-up includes;
Cary cd308 cdp
laptop based music server w/ onkyo interface
Parasound dac1000
Audible Illusions Modulus 2D
AES Six Pacs
Gallo Sub Amp
Gallo Ref 3.5
all gear isolated w/ black diamond cones on 2" maple shelves w/ cork and rubber isopods.
Gracenote Speaker Wire and power cables
Homegrown Audio Super Silver I/c
Mapleshade digital connects

Brad
2out2sea
salectric
757 posts
 
Brad,

I am sure you're getting anxious to hear it! What type of wood is Fred using on your Sira?
2out2sea OP
75 posts
 
Well, it ships tomorrow. I received word from Fred tonight. Serial number is sequential in the sira line, 10065. I am waiting to hear if Fred is going to employ the differences such as aluminum chassis in future siras. I will certainly let everyone know my impressions once the pre amp arrives. Fred's been a pleasure to deal with on the project. I can hardly wait for its arrival.
2out2sea OP
75 posts
 
I built a virtual system to show the pic of the pre amp. Hopefully it's posted and visible
salectric
757 posts
 
Looking forward to your reports.
2out2sea OP
75 posts
 
Ok. It arrived today. I had about 3-4 hours of listening time. Most of the time I was working at my desk and tending to work I had to do, but periodically I would listen to a particular track or two.

Initially it sounded marginally better than my current audible illusions pre. The soundstage was slightly pinched with limited depth. It only took a short while for the soundstage to widen, at first matching then surpassing the audible illusions. Towards the end of my time I found the soundstage deepening significantly.

The one thing that I did notice in particular was a distinct difference in low end. Colin Hays track, don't wait up is mixed with a heavy emphasis on the bass. In my room with minimal to moderate treatments, I always had a resonance that necessitated slightly lower volume than I would normally listen. With the sira there is no node evident. It doesn't seem that the bass is shy, it's just not bloated or boomy on this track in particular.

So far I am very pleased. I can only imagine how things will improve as burn in continues. The looks of the pre are to die for in my opinion. I can hardly wait for a late evening at the office to dim the lights and enjoy the ambient light of the bottles.

Rarely does an item meet expectations of both performance and appearance. Fred has delivered on both fronts. It is a very good match to my Cary AES Sixpacs. I can't fathom how the epiifania could be any better.
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