2. amps-preamps
  3. 1291933636

$3500 to spend on a tube preamp....ideas?

Suggestions? Amps are Herron M1 monoblocks, Speakers Von Schweikert VR4-JR's. I borrowed a McIntosh C2300, and while it was good, it wasn't THAT much better than my Modwright 9.0 Signature. Bass was a little deeper, soundstage a bit more open, instruments more focused, but again, probably not worth $3500 to upgrade to. Also had an LS26 from ARC in my system, again, similar performance level to the C2300 and slightly more dynamic than the Modwright. With $3500 to spend, is there anything that can get me to that next level in dynamics? I am really happy with the other hardware in my system.

ideas: Herron VTSP3a, Rogue Athena
VAC Standard LE, Modwright LS36.5, Conrad Johnson Premier LS 16II, Dehavilland Mercury 3:

other options?
chiho

Showing 5 responses by johnsonwu

johnsonwu
469 posts
 
I assume phono stage not required?

Consider the Ming Da Mc-2a3 for about 1k and throw in 1k worth of mods. Any competent tech can do the mods and make it rival anything thats out there. There are a number of fellow audiophiles here and on AA who can vouch for this statement.

Alternatively if you foresee using a phono stage, throw in a few more bucks and get an MFA Lumi. Can drive any long cables and any power amp even those with notoriously low input impedance, definitely a keeper for life.

transformer based attenuators work well if you have a source that swings voltage (like some DACs) and an amp with high input Z.
johnsonwu
469 posts
 
The MC2A3 pre/amps that are not from ebay still contain counterfeit parts such as "Rudeyconn" caps and fake M-caps.
Without mods they sound veiled, colored, and anemic in the bass department.
johnsonwu
469 posts
 
I am assuming the Cary SLP05 sounds the exact opposite of the SLP98 ( which turns your system into an am radio regardless of what caps you upgrade it to and what tubes you put in, but thats my opinion based on comparing it to something like the Dude and the Lumi)
johnsonwu
469 posts
 
The x8 got a few of my friends fooled.
It's EXACTLY in the x8 that we found these fake caps.

Follow this link to see the pride of ming da: 68.183.226.200/mc2a3-2/FakeFilamentCaps.JPG

$800 is a good price though, not a penny more.

No respect for tube specifications, and a rip off of Allen Wright's 3 stack totem pole follower.
johnsonwu
469 posts
 
In the same picture depicting those "Jensen" caps are these caps (this pic is from the mc-2a3x8)
http://68.183.226.200/bill/DSCF0157.JPG
you decide whether they are real or not.
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