Take a look at SUPRATEK. But be aware that they are high gain pre's.Good Luck
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There are some great suggestions listed. Here are a couple more - forgive me if they have already been mentioned. Conrad Johnson Evolution 20 - Discontinued - used market https://conradjohnson.com/vintage-conrad-johnson-products/ Rogue Audio Hera 2 - Discontinued - used market http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_Hera_Front.htm Ypsilon Electronics http://ypsilonelectronics.com/pst-100/ |
furiouslyadrift, What particular model of FUNK preamp are you speaking of? Just curious if it is the one I think it is. |
I'm ashamed about my Schiit Freya...it's not expensive enough to be taken seriously, and although it sounds fabulous it engenders scorn and shunning by high end audio geeks who spend multiples of its cost on other things...I mentioned it at Goodwin's recently and several sales dudes had to be restrained from physically attacking me...fortunately my attorney got a gigantic settlement from them, and now I can get that ARC reference I always wanted thus restoring what's left of my credibility. However, I decided to keep the Freya and bought another Santa Cruz guitar instead. Credibility Schmedibility! |
folkfreak graciously invited me over to his place to hear his system, which includes a Ref 40. He runs it with the top cover off, so I was able to see it’s guts. That pre is a thing of beauty, a real work of art. But for me to spend 25 g’s on a pre (assuming I had it), it would have to provide an out-of-body musical experience. I think the law of diminishing returns has never been more true than today. The guitar I'd buy would be a Gibson J-200. |
I'm ashamed about my Schiit Freya...it's not expensive enough to be taken seriously, and although it sounds fabulous it engenders scorn and shunning by high end audio geeks who spend multiples of its cost on other thingsThis is typical of many "hi-end" audio geeks that value sound with how a piece of equipment looks, polished machined cases and lights or how expensive it is. They are the audiophile "glitz brigade" and are only interested in presenting their shiny equipment up on a pedestals were it does the most damage to image and depth perception, which is in between the speakers. But hey it's the perfect place to gaze and ogle at from the listening position. Don't worry Wolf you've got it where it counts, on the inside. And have many $k's still in the bank. Cheers George |
I don't have THAT many $k's (for the purposes of this conversation anyway...don't wanna trigger an audit)...remember the aforementioned Santa Cruz? Cocobolo my sneakers away. And it has to be pointed out often that it's way more fun to find relatively inexpensive great sounding stuff than arbitrarily emptying your pockets in the direction of an Audio Salon "Professional." |
richopp, I have a Jeff Rowland Corus preamp. I keep reading their preamps sound bad. I’ve compared it to a couple preamps and prefer the Corus. I’m always open to improving my sound, but I need a preamp with HT bypass, specifications that will work with my Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amp, and be at or below the price of the Corus($16K). |
Many don’t realise the only role of a preamp is to make the signal from the source outputs suited for the amplifier inputs. Nothing more. If someone doesn’t need additional inputs, just save money ( cables, ...) by getting a dac with a quality preamp volume section included. Then get the amplifier type to color ( or not) the sound to your taste, and to fit your speakers requirements. Sure, anyone can choose to add a preamp to his loom, if coloring the sound before the amp makes for a result that pleases you...just go for it. But still, you are adding signal cables, ... imho the less cables the better. |
Speaking of pedestals...I recently noticed that somebody is marketing a turntable pedestal...sort of like a 3 foot high speaker stand, but for turntables. That is simply the worst idea I've see in a while, and I'm glad I've been given an opportunity to mention it. Now, back to the previously scheduled program. |
I like the Sutherland Director (sometimes called Direct) in my system. It is bold, focused, and very lifelike. I also like a Many Moons Audio upgraded version of the Sansui CA-F1. Disclaimer: I am Many Moons Audio. They are both very excellent preamps with different takes on the sound, yet neither sound electronic at all. I try and buy every CA-F1 I can, as I cannot hold onto them! The Director is just too rare, so one may look to Ron’s other designs, of which I have no experience with. |
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Best preamp ive heard is dan banquers handmade RE Designs SCPA-1 six channel pre.Dont think you will find one only 15 made I think.Dan passed of heart attack at 58yrs.http://www.soundstage.com/video/revequip/redesigns_scpa1.htm |
Hello, i too am am a newbie. I currently have a Denon Dp47f/Grado MF3.. hardly use, needs new stylus or upgrade to a MC cartridge. I have a MK Cotter MK1 step up that I’ve never used. I was going to get into but never did. my pre/pro is actually a SoNy 9000es. Used it for years, but I’m thinking it’s time to upgrade ? my speakers are Mirage 760’s and a pair of old pioneer HPM-100 my amp is a Carver 806x multichannel amp thats bridgeable/ I have it bridged two channel 360wpc I believe. I need help |
Go get a Stereophile magazine in April or October, their Recommended Components issues, and you can see what Stereophile feels that are the best preamps now. This list doesn’t take into account older preamps, only current offerings. The newest is not necessarily the best, it’s just the newest. System synergy is what it’s all about and some products don’t match up together as well as others, that is why there are so many variables. CAT SL1, cj Premier 2, 3, & 7, Counterpoint SA9/11, MFA, Klyne, Mark Levinson, Krell, Spectral, Motif, Dennessen JC80, Rowland Research, Threshhold and many many others were all at one time considered tops in preamps and are still very relevant today. In terms of value, I’d take used gear anyday over new for the nostalgia of it and the cost savings over new. |
You have to make some decisions: Balanced or single-ended Tube or solid state Generally, balanced reduces the coloration of the interconnect cables, but does so best if the preamp supports AES48, the balanced line standard. Many balanced high end audio preamps do not support the standard. If your amplifier only has a single-ended input, the incentive to go balanced is certainly reduced (although if you run a turntable, all phono cartridges are naturally balanced sources). Tubes tend to sound smoother but often have more noise (not hum, just hiss), although all preamps make some noise. Tubes require occasional service, which is why the tubes are in sockets. However signal tubes often used in preamps can run well over 10,000 hours. So a more meaningful list can be more easily compiled once these choices are sorted out. |
The best preamp ever made is the McIntosh C-2200 tube preamp and it's resale value being higher than newer model tube preamps helps prove my claim ,it's been over a decade with my C-2200 and for the 1st time in my life I've not wanted to even tube roll the preamp is so we'll thought out ,plus it's one of the very few modern preamps left that we're built with excellent tone control circuits that can be taken out of the signal path at will . |
Hey
jhamond987, Try a Conrad Johnson Premier LS 17 - 2. It replaced my Primaluna Dialogue Premium and was more nuanced nd musical. My system is Thiel CS5's and a MCCormack DNA-500 Thanks for listening, Dsper |
