good preamp for dynaco mk3 monoblocks with maggies


Im new to HI-FI world and would appreaciate any advise. I need a good preamp while my Dynaco MK3's are being upgraded with new VTA boards and capacitors etc By Roy Mottram at tubes4hifi.com

I have Magnepan SMGa's which i will be Gunning soon(bought the wood already:)) and I have Event20/20 studio monitors.
my room is not big about 12X14 and I dont listen to my music too loud..i like classical, vocal, instrumental.

I need a good preamp for around 1000$... I will be listening to digital source cds or from dac.

im looking at Audio research sp11 mk2 for sale for 1000$
parasound halo p3 for about 500$

what im using as a preamp now is a little dot mk2 headphone amp that has pre outs..i know its not the best but like i said im new to this..i love magnepan sound and i like tube sound..

remote is preffered but not critical..i would rather have better sound....
HELP

HELP
zvovchik

Showing 4 responses by brownsfan

I'd suggest you think about the Promethius Signature TVC that is for sale now. This is a superb passive- if you don't need gain. I don't think you can come close to this level of transparency for anything close to the price. Also, being a passive, it is just dead quiet. No relationship with the seller.
I used one of these in a Magnepan based system with good results, and although it is sitting on my living room floor unused right now (having been replaced with a $5.5 K Coincident), I'm holding it until I'm sure I won't have use for it in a second system.
Zvovchik, It looks like the Promethius statement that was listed must have sold. I owned and used the TVC4 for about 4 years prior to buying the statement. As far as comparing the TVC4 and Statement, I would say the top end is more extended and airy in the statement. Cymbals, woodwinds etc are much more natural. Also, I seem to recall better localization of instruments and certainly more air around the instruments. The TVC reference 4 is a very good piece, and an excellent value. The statement pretty much gives you a bit more of everything, but they are cut from the same cloth.

I also used the Signature with Monoblock amps, and yes, you have a separate volume control on each channel. The volume controls and input selectors are top notch.
The Promethius website does not list the price of the signature. Nicholas used to make these special order only for repeat customers, so I was a little surprised to see it show up there at all.
Zvovchik, You can plug a phono pre into one of the RCA inputs on any of the Promitheus TVCs.

Rcprince, thanks for the comparison with the Shindo. The Promithius Signatures are just a crazy good value proposition. Nicholas really needs to establish a US distributor and give them an inventory to work with. These things would sell like hot cakes at 3x the price with a bit more exposure and easier access.

Dover, It is always essential when considering use of a passive pre to consider both the amp and the sources. One must be very careful about system matching, although TVCs in some ways can be more forgiving than other passive designs.

In the 1K price range for preamps, there are necessarily going to be tradeoffs. The Promitheus TVCs can be a steal if the rest of the system lines up. I don't know the Dyanaco amps. The OP should consider your experience with those amps carefully.