2. amps-preamps
  3. 1224290676

Preamp recommendations up to $2000

Hi everyone. The upgrade bug has reared it's head again and I'm starting to look for a better preamp. My present system is: Audio Note CD-2, Mapletree 2A SE pre, Edge G4 amp, and GMA Pico Executive speakers. I listen to mostly classical, with some pop/rock.

I don't have the audio vocabulary some of you do, but I guess I'm looking for a more open sound with a little more presence. I also wouldn't mind if the bass was a little fuller.

Although the Mapletree is a tube preamp, I would like all suggestions, including SS.

Thanks!
xrayz
aptquark
99 posts
 
Audible Illusions Modulud 3A...(I love saying that). Its around 800-1200 used. Tubed pre. Go for the L2 version if you can (comes with remote). Amazing pre for half of what your willing to pay. Look it up on google and here in the forums...its an amazing piece that is many ways approaches my 10,000 Wytech Labs Opal pre. No joke.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,381 posts
 
If you have any money tied up in a good power cable, or were going to, then consider that the Dodd doesn't need one, since it runs off battery power.
Of the suggestions above that are in or close to $2k, nothing comes close IME. The Supratek is closest, and includes a very good phono stage, but note that the company isn't in business any longer, if that matters to you.

Haven't heard the Rowland Capri. Cheers,

Spencer
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Just to give you some perspective on the Dodd, I've come to prefer it after having owned CAT, Lamm, Joule, Placette Active and Passive, Atma-sphere (which I prefer with my Atma amps) and a BENT Tap-X. I'm not saying you would like it better than any of these, though most would be out of the price range you are considering, but the Dodd certainly competes in this league. I especially like it with some NOS Amperex rolled in, the preamp essentially let's you hear the tube to some extent so it can be "voiced" to your preference - it doesn't sound at all badd with the JJ it comes with. As a former owner of the AI 3A, I can say that all of the above preamps were preferable to my ears - though for $800-1,200 it is a might fine sounding unit, just not in the same league with Dodd IMHO.
yoby
539 posts
 
I second the deHavilland. There is a Mercury II for sale right now on Audiogon for $1995. If I didn't already own one, I'd buy it.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
What is the input impedance of your Edge amp? Not sure about the output impedance of the other amps mentioned (AI was quite high if I remember correctly) but the Dodd is a 200 ohm output impedance (a very good thing for balanced sound across the bandwidth) single ended which about as low I've seen on a tube preamp and should be quite compatible with lowish input impedances found on most SS amps.
More to discover