Help - Need Preamp under 5K for Class D amps


I’ve been looking at preamps for some time now and now that I’ve finally taken delivery of some audiophile quality speakers it time to find this device.
My current setup is as follows:

Line Arrays in the form of AV123 LS-6’s driven by a pair of Nuforce 9 SEV2’s. No pre in the signal path. Source is a Slim devices Transporter. All files EAC ripped FLAC lossless compression.
AC services:
VH-Audio power cords service the Nuforce’s in Flavor 4 version as well as the Power conditioner. Dedicated circuit utilizing a Furutech outlet and Furutech silver IEC connectors, Furutech gold plugs on the opposite end on power cords except on the Transporter end where I use a Oyaide 079.

Adona Rack and a considerable amount of room treatments.

So what I hear while sitting on the couch is a pretty resolving system with pinpoint imaging, a decent amount of bloom, dynamics galore and a generally pleasing sound except… I’m not quite where I want to be in terms of just being able to relax into the music. I’d like a bit more air, or bloom or warmth? Sorry I don’t have the right description but perhaps the fact that I have NO pre is the problem in general. Overall sound seems to be a bit clinical. Maybe that’s the word.

This is why I ask the help of my audiophile brothers and sisters here. Running my MAC RCA Palladiums’ doesn’t improve this much over the balanced cables I own which are DH-Labs DIYers. Having a home theatre system in tow that utilizes the Nuforce’s as well I find myself constantly moving interconnect cables which is annoying at best.

I’ve been looking at Dan’s Modwright 36.5 and auditioned one from a fellow Audiogon seller. I couldn’t get a handle on it’s attributes from that audition – too different a system not to mention that I didn’t like what I was hearing from his setup. Others pre’s I’ve been interested in are as follows:

Parasound Halo JC-2 – No tubes but does that really matter?
Aesthetix Calypso
Audio Horizons 2.1
Modwright 36.5
Other?

Thanks for your advice.
desalvo55

Showing 3 responses by clio09

I believe the Dude uses 6SN7 tubes. TRL has always liked the RCA red base 5692s.
I've owned the Cary SLP-98 and with the right tubes this is a very fine preamp. It is colored with the traditional Cary house sound focused on lush mids. The bass is not as tight as I would like, but its not bad either. I've heard that the Cary transformer coupled mod and F1 model of the SLP-98 presents a different sonic signature that is more neutral with better frequency extension and tighter bass.

I also own and am currently using the Rowland Capri. You can snag one here on Audiogon right now for $2100 including phono stage. An incredible deal IMO. Dcstep has accurately described the Rowland sound. It is a very quiet preamp with excellent frequency extension. Seems to transfer the signal accurately and effortlessly.

However, compared to my TRL preamp, which Brian Weitzel says is sonically comparable to the Dude (although totally different design), the Capri has a bit less kick and frequency extension. While the Capri claims to go from DC to 300k HZ, TRL claims that the top end of the Pre-1.5 is left wide open. Not that Paul Weitzel is a spec fanatic. Far from it in fact as what he is more interested in is the end result.

While Grannyring has mentioned that the Dude is not eye candy, you could talk to Paul and see about getting one built with a custom chassis that would be more appealing to you and your wife. Well worth the call to find out. More food for thought, I customized my D-225 amp with rosewood side panels made for me by another Audiogon member. Improved the looks dramatically.
I don't know one manufacturer that I've come in contact with, and whose equipment I was interested in purchasing, where I haven't found at least one customer complaint on a forum or through some other sources. It's the nature of the business.

Recently I had someone contact me about a manufacturer whose component I just bought who ragged on its reliability and their customer service. Checked with the manufacturer and got their side of the story. Then put the pieces together myself to come to my own conclusion. As usual there are always two sides to every story and the truth lies somewhere in between (in this case closer to the manufacturers claims which were well documented).

A point well made is that boutique manufacturers like TRL, APL, Intuitive Audio, etc. are not for everyone. There is a leap of faith required and some risk. I have found the risk was worth taking. Others have opposite experiences.