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Considering a New Tube Pre-amp

I have used a Quad QC-24 pre-amp for thirteen years. Designed by Tim deParavicini, it isn't bad. But recently, and just for fun, I got out a pre-amp I bought some thirty years ago, cleaned it up and tried it out - a Copland CTA-301 MkII. It seems clearer with much tighter control of bass, and it looks like it's staying in place, at least for now.

But you know how these things go, it has raised doubts. Made me think that there is obviously room for pre-amp improvement. I wish to stay with a tube pre-amp, and I don't need a phono section as I have a separate phono stage, so I've been thinking about the following:

1. Cary SLP-98L. I've had good experiences in the past with Cary's now-defunct kit division, Audio Electronic Supply. I had their PH-1, AE-3 (both Dennis Had editions), SE-811 monoblocks and SixPacs. Downside, they have almost no dealers anymore and don't offer a warranty for international sales other than a dealer warranty (and they have undercut all their dealers who have dropped the brand).

2. Atma-Sphere MP-3. No personal experience here, but everyone says wonderful things. My power amps don't have balanced inputs, and only my CD/SACD player has a balanced output, so I'd have to order one with RCAs, losing one of the main advantages.

3. A wild card - the Manley NeoClassic 300B pre-amp. The most expensive and hard to find many reviews. But one still dreams of 300B sound....

One problem is that these are all US-made, and I may have to wait until the tariffs are withdrawn. I'll have to save up anyway as I'm now retired and the days of wasteful spending in hi-fi are in the past.
What do you think if you have experience of any of these pre-amps?

dogberry

Showing 1 response by armstrod

armstrod
619 posts
 

The Atma MP-3 is my current daily driver. I’ve owned a number of preamps and the MP-3 is the one I like the best. I bought it used at 3.3 level and sent it back to Ralph for a checkup and to install the remote volume. He’s great to deal with and very knowledgeable. As to your need for single ended inputs, you can use both of the Tape Ins as inputs, and the XLR inputs do just fine with quality XLR to RCA adapters. No input switching on the remote, but that’s not an issue for my usage. It’s probably my last preamp.

Units I’ve really enjoyed in the past and are less expensive: Modwright LS100 (Dan is also great to work with), Don Sachs Model 2 (Don was always helpful but I believe he’s mostly retired now), Decware CSP-3 (sweet sounding but limited inputs and no remote), and lastly, the one I’ve kept as a spare for my MP-3, the LTA MZ2. It’s crazy how good it is for $1,100. I’ve never heard the MZ3 or the MicroZotl; they’re supposed to be even better, albeit for more money.

So many really good choices in your price range. Best of luck with your search!

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