Morgoth, still on the hunt. Like i said, Rogue is a great place to start, and just may be where one can end. I just haven't had the luxury of trying many pre's. But the Metis was damn good. |
No, I haven't. I know it's a non-tangible, but I don't get excited about that brand. Maybe its the dual vol knobs. who knows. |
Wondering about the audio mirror stuff. Looks like the requisite 'passionate small company' and a few good reviews/comments like yours I've read. Is the PP1 significantly different then the other one outside of chassis and phono? |
This may sound crazy, but I just picked up a Shindo Aurieges L. We'll see if:
1. It plays well with rock (and others), but more importantly,
2. It synergizes with my amp with its high output impedance.
Really just picked it up to hear what all the hype was about with this pre. Hoping to hear at least a little of the magic. |
My experience with SS pre's is that they tended to be a little light in the mids and lower freq's, plus they lacked the warmth in a tubed pre. Tubed pre's had more meat on the sound, which to me sounded way better with rock.
There's a Rogue Perseus on here for <$1k if it hasn't sold. Bet that would sound sweet, or maybe a Manley Shrimp. |
morgoth, haven't heard th SF stuff so I can't give you an answer. There seems to be some good suggestions here, and I stand behind my Rogue recommendation and I've read good things about Manley products. It seems that if a company has an element of fun to it, it will probably sound good with rock (go figure!). I'm also intrigued by the Juicy Music Peach. The looks are questionable (WTF ugly??) IMO, but the comments seem to cite characteristics that make me think it would be a good pre for the job.
As I've recently learned, impedance matching pre to amp is also important. Make sure if you get a tubed pre mated with your SS amp that the ratio of output to input is around 10-1 to start. |
I'll add that old doesn't necessarily mean bad. |
Is there such a thing as a good pre-amp that is not "rocking"?
IMO some may be better then others. Read my OP for what I was referring to specifically. |
I've heard pre's that are light in mids and bass (and therefore slam). Others seemed to be a little slow. Those may work fine for some types of music, but for rock specifically I think the listener would find it lacking. |
Pace Rhythm and Timing. I meant it to be in this case not a sluggish or slow sound, something with perceivable drive |
I have and love it. I wouldn't say it's especially tuned for rock, but it certainly plays it with verve. It's more involving then other pre's I've had.
I'm close to picking up a pair of mono Class D amps that I'm interested to hear with the Aurieges and my Usher towers. Seems like an interesting and potentially rewarding combo |
Are you going new or used? If you can get hold of one I would say its worth an audition. Within the huge category of "rock" that I primarily listen to there are variables -- voice type (and sex) of singer, acoustic, electric, intimate, driving, various sound effects etc. It all sounds very, very good. While it doesn't have the hard slam I've heard before, bass is still very strong and satisfying. I would think the Shindo would sound just as good with other music types. It has an engaging quality to it. I'm off the hunt. |
Matt's a nice guy. I'm almost afraid to go listen to his stuff, I would likely come home depressed. |
Hey no worries. I think you helped yourself quite a bit as well! Hope to run into you in some threads in the future. It's cool to find like-minded audio-fools.
You prob have read up on Shindo gear in general. I'm always drawn to things that have some sort of off-the-beaten path, special-ness about them, if you will. Shindo gear is revered. When I found a used Aurieges L, I jumped on it just to hear the hype, and fortunately I can. I think you'd be pleased as well, however as I said, I don't think it's got the 'rock' qualities up front like the Rogues or the Manleys (or perhaps the others mentioned here) I mentioned. That being said, it plays rock, and all other types of music I've thrown at it, with a very engaging and enjoyable quality. I certainly don't find it lacking.
Let me know what you come up with. Good luck |
It's not laid back. it's all there with realism and a sense of involvement unlike other pre's I've had. Vocals pop out of the center. The bass doesn't slam like the Metis I used to have, but it's not lacking. To me, nothing is lacking. Electric guitar -- meaty and crunchy. Its a hella fun pre! |
