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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

Showing 4 responses by musicophile

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
musicophile's avatar
musicophile
58 posts
 
Efner: I appreciate your elaborated answer.

Jonathan: RCA connection between preamp and Snapper doesn't concern me, as it doesn't concern Manley: they designed Snapper differentially balanced but their preamps single-ended because they think that works best together. You can send EveAnna or Chris at Manley an e-mail about the topic: they can give you the reasons why they designed it this way. Anyway, the synergy between Neo-Classic and Snapper is just awesome. Just think about it; an incredible idea - driving EL34 by 300B. And it works magic. Just my subjectivistic opinion and experience.
musicophile's avatar
musicophile
58 posts
 
Jonathan: Let us know about your decision and impressions.

I have faith in the importance of a preamp. I write "faith" because I can't back it up technically. However, listening has consistently given me the impression that a preamp influence the musical gestalt, especially dynamics, body and timbre. For me these are more important dimensions than transparency.
musicophile's avatar
musicophile
58 posts
 
Exciting, I concur with your impressions. A good preamp opens up a system: it gives it life, organical flow, dynamics and timbre nuanceses. I once tried Jumbo Shrimp with Snappers, it was really good. However, the 300B is in a different league. The Neo-Classic 300B preamp is bold, plays music with authority and finesse.

Come back and share your impressions.
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