2. amps-preamps
  3. 1214922174

Amp/preamp suggestions in $3000-4000 range

Hi all,

I'm ready to upgrade my system and I'm going to start with the amp and preamp. I need suggestions.

My system is comprised of Kenwood L-07D and Oracle Alexandria turntables with Dynavector 10x5 and Benz Micro Glider cartridges, respectively, into a Unison Research Unico. The speakers are Vandersteen 2ce. I listen to a wide range of music from jazz and modern composition to beat up punk rock 45s, and everything in between.

I've had solid state amps most of my life and have tried some of the more humble all tube systems such as Antique Sound Labs and Jolida. I really love the sound of the Unico's hybrid design but it's not a great amp for the Vandersteens. Beyond that, I haven't much of an idea where to go. I prefer the idea of tube preamp and solid state amp but I'm not hell bent on it. I am open to an integrated machine or separate preamp and amp. Monoblocks are interesting as well. I'd like to keep the total price somewhere between 3-4K on the used market.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Rickk
rickk
rickk OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. What a lot of information.

I am glad to see a consensus regarding tube pre and solid state amp since that's where my thinking has been at with the Vandersteens.

WOW! That Blueberry preamp is beautiful. Have never heard of Juicy Music but both my wife and I are instantly in love with the design. I'll have to see what threads we have on here about it. Is this a robust preamp that will last me years or is it a finicky boutique offering that needs frequent servicing?

McCormack and Modwright are both companies I've already been reading up on. Very curious about the McCormack DNA-225.

The Butler is intriguing to me. I am not familiar with hybrid amplifiers but the idea sounds promising from the review I read on 6moons.

I forgot to mention that I like to bi-wire the Vandersteens. That's one way to narrow down my amp choices, I guess. I noticed the Counterpoint supports bi-wiring.
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
Rick,
In my opinion Blueberry is not just good , it is an excellent preamp for the asking price. It also comes in premium wood finish which looks great and adds to the overall enjoyment. Its sound is very rich, especially with Mullard tube. Its presentation is different then lets say Modwright preamp which is very clean, fast, transparent but
also.....almost SS-ish. More relaxed, smooth and a bit on the warmer side characteristics of Blueberry with SS amp might be a better choice IMO.

Butler is a power house with almost limitless dynamics and headroom. It doesn't sound edgy or vailed. It is a very well balanced amp that I can personaly recommend. There are otheres but not in your price range.

Mariusz
tweak1
3,668 posts
 
PS Audio GCA (100/250/500) series is killer. AND it's differentially balanced, unlike most of the recommendations
rickk OP
15 posts
 
I've been reading all over the internet on this Blueberry Xtreme and I can't find many people with something bad to say about it. There's not a whole lot of talk about it here but it's wildly popular elsewhere.

I wish I could hear it but evidently they only do business across the web and I certainly don't know anyone who owns one.

I also really like the fact that it is geared towards vinyl.

Does anyone here have specific experience with solid state amps that mate well with the Blueberry and speakers like the Vandersteens?

Thanks for the PS Audio recommendation.
eagleman6722
217 posts
 
Rick, Based on your music tastes with the Vandys, you want an amp/ pre combo that will make them sound lively and balanced. While my B&k, McCormack, and TAD 60 sounded nice, the one thing that bothered me the entire time that I had those three amps was that I could not get well extended highs until I brought the TAD 125 into the picture. Whatever amp you settle on make sure that it pulls the Vandys forward. Many people say that they sound dark but, in my opinion, they just need the right electronics to show what they are capable of. I am sure that there are more choices than just the TADs but, just make sure that you can pull the entire spectrum out.

Eagleman
More to discover