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
Hi Bvdiman,

Your amp's sound phenomenal and I'd love to hear that set up. The Essential 3160 is a bespoke phonolinepre and I believe that some technological aspects of FM Acoustic's approach influenced aspects of its designers' thinking. You can find out more about the Essential directly from a fellow audiogoner - Raul Ireugas - who you could contact off line at rauliruegas@hotmail.com. My mind boggles at contemplating its potential in your system.

All the best
Dgob,

Unfortunately, I'm currently residing on other side of the universe--S.E.Asia! But should you happen to come around, I'll be more than happy to have you. Can also show you few other spectacular set-ups here.

Thanks for link re Essential, will look them up. At the moment I'm just too excited, my FM268 has finally arrived! Still breaking them in, learning--fiddling with their built-in linearizer section and enjoying sooo.. much music while at it. I can attest as of now that it is already sounding better than my 'loaner'--as well it should?

Having had the FM266mkII for almost 3 months, and tested them in various highly regarded systems (in where they 'never once' failed to shine), finally got me convinced enough to take the plunge--all the way!! I'm a very happy but a very broke man now.. :')

Rgrds
Bvdiman,

I'll sure take you up on that offer the next time I come out to that part of the world. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy your music as much as you should.
I would have a look to Jadis JP 80 which I prefered over the ARC ref3

also to the Viola which has the most incredible precision in staging the musicians on differents layers ... just amazing!

and maybe to Jeff Rowland brand new Criterion