$18k Tube preamp for large scale symphonies please

PHilip,

To be clear...you describe 2 types of delivery: one that delivers the orchestra into your room, and the other that places you into the recording venue. Is this correct?

Which do you prefer? Sorry...could not quite separate out which you were saying. Generally, given that every orchestral/ensemble piece is recorded differently (some closer miked than others)...that 'ambience' effect is going to differ from recording to recording i suspect. Thus, one preamp is going to be difficult to control that particular effect.

Nevertheless, if you could guide as to which you seek, that might help.

Merry Christmas Phillip,
I understand your description of these two superb preamps and getting a feel for how you hear.Phillip one point has to be made though. Some of what you hear is related to the amplifier in use and really, the effects of 'all' the components in the system(personally I find the bass of the CSL natural and not over done).You listened to both of these preamps'but' in different systems.So while I do believe you got a good sense of the individual character in general terms, you`ll have to allow for the other variables.

I`ve owned my Coincident(CSL) for over 3 years.My friend jeff has had his VAC Signature MK II nearly that long also. We live just 10 minutes apart and have heard each other`s systems multiple times and usually long sessions.They both are exceptionally capable of'musicians in your room' and also 'you are in the recording venue'. I find it`s the recording that determines the site perspective more than the different ability of these two preamps IMO.

I find them both to be fascinating in their presentation and most important to me, they`re both utterly natural,emotionally involving(absolutely!) and have very convincing realism.Neither has any of the dreaded analytical,dry,2 -dimensional,flat,lifeless Hifi character.They do superbly preserve the true vibrant color saturation,dynamics,flow and energy of real instruments and voice.

Phillip you have a keen pair of ears and I`m very confident you will find that preamp that satisfies you.This is the beauty of an open market choice for High End audio components,there`s so much out there to choose from to please us individually.The CSL and VAC SIG. certainly represent a very high point of reference,Good Luck Phillip.
Charles,

I listen exclusively to classical music. I love large orchestral, chorale, and opera pieces. I also love sonatas, trios, quartets, etc. I like the large pieces to be "you are there", and the small pieces to be "they are here". Orchestral music benefits for better extension of both high and low frequencies, more clarity, more air, more transparency. Smaller pieces benefit from more harmonics, tonal color, and decay.

With the BAT Rex, I get both, and that is why I haven't serious thought about another preamp. There is a switch in the power module that allows you to go from the 6C45 (transparency and extension) to the 6H30 (harmonics and decay). I use 16 EAT Tube dampers, 2 HiFi gold fuses, 4 Reflektor 6H30 DR NOS tubes, and 2 Philips GZ34 from the 1960s. The rest are inexpensive Sovtek and generic Russian tubes.

Phillip,
Are you considering any solid state preamps as well?
Regards,

Pillipw, with some Tele and Siemens tubes, you will get all the air you need in a Vac Sig. Do you know the tubes in your demeo and power cord?

Yes BAT Rex is another excellent recommendation.