Opportunity to buy the best Preamp... but which?


On the tube front... AR Ref3 vs. CJ ART3 vs. VL TL-7.5 vs. Wavac PR-T1?

Or on the SS front... Burmester 808Mk5 vs Dartzeel NHB-18NS vs Krell Evolution2 vs MBL 6010D vs Halcro DM10?

My preference would be a neutral tube based model.

Any opinions?

Andrew
stevecortez
But now there is a MBL dealer in my country , what about the MBL preamplifiers 6011D or 5011
In absolute terms, the 6011 then the 5011.

But, I really can't tell what you need: i.e. both are very versatile and practical with lots of functionalities and... good. So, you may not need a 6011.
Both are exquisitely engineered by the way.
I would also *assume* both are better than the Capitole's embedded pre... but don't know. Really, you must try them.
HI Larry
I would hope the cj ART3 at $25k would bring something unique to the musical equation that the original ART or REF3 don't currently bring :-)
Hi Downunder, there are at least 5 other tube preamps I can think of that will do that. If I think about it, I can probably name more. Any reason why you limit yourself to the CJ?
I am not sure what your point is Atmasphere.
I can think of plenty of tube pre amps as well. I have tried VTL7.5, ARC ref 1 & 2, CAT, cary 98P and new cj ACT2 / CT5.

I much prefer the musical presentation of the original ART/prem16. That is why I have come back to cj pre amp after 3 years of not limiting myself to cj.
Dave b, excuse my long delay but I only just read your responses. Have you heard the FM Acoustic pre's or the Essential 3150 and, if so, which FM Acoustic pre's and what were your impressions of these and the Essential - particularly in comparison with your tubes pre?

I'm just curious because I feel that these really do bring something quite unique to the table.