2. amps-preamps
  3. 154000-1608

Considering going back to Solid State

I have had and Audio Research REF5se now for a few years and love it. Let me be clear, I love the sound and am not wanting to trade back to SS for anything it does wrong. But I am wanting to simplify and get away from tubes and the heat and concern for hours, etc.

So I am seeking advice in the 10-15K range on solid state pre-amps that would be comparable in performance to what I now have. Considering the Ayre 5 series, SimAudio Moon, McIntosh as a few considerations. Which brings me to you, any experience that you have had making a similar comparison would be helpful.

The rest of the 2 channel side is a Mc402 Amp and Revel speakers, how ever in the next month I plan to either buy the Sopra 2's or the Sonus Olympica Nova III, all cardas wiring in case this helps.


Thank You in advance

Theo

128x128theo

Showing 3 responses by teajay

teajay
1,655 posts
 
Hey Theo,

Take a look at The Stereo Times website list of "The most wanted components of the decade" where I placed the fourth generation Coda 07x preamplifier on it.  My full review should be out this week.  It's the first solid state preamplifier in 20 years that out performed my benchmark tube based linestages regarding space and density of color/timbres, along with the virtues of transparency and dynamics.It's not just being "grainless" compared to most solid state gear, the 07x has the overall liquidity of a great tube based preamplifier.  It retails for $6,500, I have had much more expensive SS/tube linestages that were not as well built and did not come close to the the 07X, and it quite under your stated budget.
teajay
1,655 posts
 
By the way both Pass Labs and Ayre references were compared to the Coda 07x in the same system, and in the context of this system, the Coda was more tube like in both color/tonality and the ability to create 3D imaging and more space/air around the individual players.  Compared to the Coda the other two SS preamps sounded slightly flat and a bit washed out overall. The overall advantage I heard with the Coda 07x held true regardless if was driving SS or tube based amplifiers.
teajay
1,655 posts
 
Hey Theo,

If you want to audition the Coda 07x preamplifier just give Doug Dale a call.  They sell direct if you do not have a local dealer and I believe you get an audition time and if not satisfied there is a return policy.
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