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Audio research or Manley 300B pre amp for Upgrade

Dear: my respected fellow audiogon members,

After deciding on my speaker upgrade, I am now about to seek some improvement in my audio system. As currently using audio aero capitole mk2 source conected directly to my manley snapper monoblock, I was advised by some friends that I should instead add a Pre amp. However, as I read through some of other members discussion, I found out that there were pros and cons regarding the pre amp usage after the aero. Some opinions hold it strong against pre amp addition as it will alter the purity of signal coming out of the aero, whereas some others believe that by adding pre amp there will be more body to the music as well as depth and staging width improvement.

Now, that I have the choice to tryout for a pre amp, should I go for the Audio research pre such as ls27 or even the reference 5, or should I go simpler by using the single ended manley neo-classic 300B pre amp (which doesn't have the XLR connection).. I lean towards all genre of musics (country, jazz, classical, soft rock) with exception of hard musics..

Would anyone share with me some great expertise and wisdoms.. Thanks all..
jonathan_pp
montejay
285 posts
 
Hi Jonathan,
Personally,going direct works for me. I realize that I'm losing some weight but the lifelike tones and purity I get from the Frankenstein 300b is a choice I can live with.
That being said the best active pre amp I have heard in my system is the Coincident Statement. It preserved almost everything I look for while adding weight and dynamics that made my 8 watt amp really come alive. If your dealer has one to audition it is worth a listen.

Regards,
efner's avatar
efner
99 posts
 
Without question the LS27,No need to get to the ref.5
musicophile's avatar
musicophile
58 posts
 
Stating something as "without question" in this hobby seems quit ignorant. I fancy Audio Research and love the synergy between Manley gear. However, my experience doesn't count in your setup. Yet, I have the Neo-Classic 300B preamp driving the Snappers: and they are just plain beautiful together when it comes to projecting music. After reading the advices, you should probably listen by yourself.

You mention that you seek more body, stage widening and depth. My experience with the Manley 300B preamp driving Snapper is that it excell in portraiting body, 3D presentation and timbre.
Body stage depth
efner's avatar
efner
99 posts
 
Musicophile,
I agree that was poorly stated.What I meant to say was in my mind the LS27 sounds great and that's the first one I'd reach for. I'm getting older and sometimes my brain doesn't keep up with my fingers.
I do really like Manley stuff,And had a pair of Snappers and a LS26 and they sounded great.
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