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Best tubed full-function preamp with remote

Until a few days ago I was a happy user of a McIntosh C220 mainly due to its switching capabilities and its unobtrusiveness (I am extremely sensitive to sibilance). Recently I bought an Audible Illusion Modulus 3B for my secondary system and it bettered my McIntosh significantly. More colours, more dynamics more life-like presentation and still no sibilance.

Because of use in a home theatre setting I need a remote (minimally with volume control). So what I now need is a full function (MC-able) tubed preamp with remote. Models that come to mind are ModWright LS100, Ear 868, Aethetix Janus, McIntosh 2300, Hovland 200 other?? I would prefer a one box design and 2nd hand price not more than 4200.00.- $.

Analog front end: VPI Super Scoutmaster with a Denon 103R; Digital front ends: OPPO 95 with Modwright tube modification and PC with JRIVER and Wyred-4-Sound Dac2. Speakers are Gallo Ref 3.5 driven by a Cayin 9021, V211 based SET amp plus a Gallo subamp.

Any opinions or options that I missed????
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pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,206 posts
 
Big fan of Aesthetix. The Janus would be a considerable upgrade over your Mac. Has everything you need... home theater bypass, phono and remote. Responds well to tube rolling (essential), made in the USA, has great resale value and excellent customer support.
peter_s
1,333 posts
 
VAC has all these things. If it doesn't have to be tube, Ayre K1XE is really good.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,753 posts
 
If you can find an Atma-Sphere MP-3 used, any of them can be retro-fitted with the remote option if it does not already have it. They are all-tube and fully balanced.
podeschi
303 posts
 
Love my VAC preamp. Compared in my home to product of year preamps costing 2-3x, the VAC wins 100 percent of the time.
hanshhh's avatar
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hanshhh OP
17 posts
 
First thing - and by necessity - I decide to wait a while (onhwy61) as the buyer that I had for the McIntosh withdrew when he realized that I had no screws in the cover due to tube rolling activity. Currently the safest bet would be Modwright as I am very impressed with the tube modified OPPO that I own. Excellent sound and excellent workmanship. I have not heard sofar anything about the quality of the optional phono section. Any opinions or expereiences there?

I put Atma-Sphere and VAC on the shopping list and I am investigating now. With Atma-Sphere I would have to change all inteconnects as I currently use home made silver wire VACUUMSTATE RCA connects except for the phono that is a Nordost Heimdal. I guess the silver wires could be resoldered

Thanks for responses.
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