Need a big favor picking a preamp

Just checked out the D'angostino preamp.

Who designed that thing, Captain Nemo??!

I have had a listen to Nagra HD and the Momentum both in brand matched systems and was very impressed. I am a less is more guy and prefer SPL from Germany. Why are you not auditioning the Classe Preamps?

Oh that was real helpful.

@jacobsdad2000 @thecarpathian 

LOL.  It was constructive.  I was thinking "steampunk" for the D'Agostino, but it's very Royal Oak Offshore in its looks to put it into watch terms.  Doesn't make it not a fantastic amp (which it is), but I'm having trouble with its looks.  I'm more of a Rolex Daytona guy.  To keep rolling with the watch analogy, the Esoteric is a bit like the highest end Apple Watch, technically fantastic kit.  But something is missing.

 I probably should give the Classe Preamp a try, but I just don't know anything about it.  I kind of fell into the Classe monoblocks at a lightly-used, 50% off, situation and they are a known great match for the Bowers diamonds, such that Bowers (at the factory) unequivocally recommended them (privately, not as a company).

Can you tell me more about the Nagra HD you saw?  It seems awesome, but $70K is making me puke.

Boulder could be right up your alley. But I would go with preamp/amp combination from the same manufacturer at this level 

´´great match for the Bowers diamonds, ´´

Bowers & Wilkins 802D4 with Vinnie Rossi Brama Preamplifier

@audphile1 

Boulder would be a great choice.  The Classe preamplifier to match the monoblocks seems a lateral move for the Primaluna Evo 400.

I also want to have true dual mono -- which eliminates the D'Agostino Momentum.  I'd have to move up to the Relentless -- which, at $150K makes the Nagra look like a bargain.

I've seen the Nagra (used) here for $36K, which is fine and Esoteric C1X for the same new (from Japan, which requires a transformer, which is fine by me) or the new Esoteric C1X Solo (same as C1X, but in one housing) for $22K new from the USA.

My suggestion is to find a used Herron VTSP-3a (r03) or a VTSP-360. IMO, they are still the very best available and nothing remotely close for the $$.  The -360 is incredible.  

@maxwave 

Wow, that's pretty.  Fully balanced, dual mono input-to-output architecture, too.

Just tried a sapphire wand for my tonearm - very precise and very addictive - for about 5 hours. I have reverted to a warmer sounding wand, and it looks like the keeper. It's warm and smooth for me, but YMMV.

@davetheoilguy ’

tube( 300B) / solid state 

Full tube  or Full Solid State or a mixt of both.

Stay with a tube preamp. Checkout Backert Labs!

@thecarpathian 

Who designed that thing, Captain Nemo??!😆😆😆

If you want to hear the instruments sound the way they were meant to sound go straight to the Nagra.  Nagra is, after all, made up of musicians. Currently own the Nagra Tube Dac with separate power supply and it is the best piece of equipment I own.  Amazing sound stage and so live sounding. 
 

Good luck and let us know how you make out!

One more option for you to consider, also dual mono, but a tube preamp, which could be a good match for your amps.

Dan Wright, the founders of Modwright is very accessible, will respond to emails, take calls and supports his products based on my experience with one fo them, a phono stage. I have my eye on the preamp for a future upgrade.The Music Room is one of several dealers. The unit is made in the U.S.A., should that be a factor.  

Good luck in your search.

Absolutely check out Backert! It’s perhaps one of the best hidden gems of the high-end audio market. A complete suite of balanced and single ended connectivity and a neutral yet dazzling sound signature. All tube and American made by a great designer and his son. Believe me, it’s well worth looking into!

@davetheoilguy 

Congrats on your Esoteric E-02 phonostage purchase. Reviews says it's sonics punches significantly above it's price point.  

+1 Backert Labs

If you are open to other choices, I strongly recommend the Linear Tube Audio Microzotl preamp. 
 

The Audiophiliac, Steve Guttenberg, just announced it as his new reference preamp. It’s a wonderful component. 

@bluethinker 

As it turns out, I actually bought the LTA microzotl  this past Hanukkah for my daughter to use as a headphone amp at college to avoid pissing off her roommate.

It’s nice, but I hadn’t considered it in this context.

When you say dual mono do you mean fully balanced?  If so I’d consider giving Atmasphere and ARC a look.  If single ended is ok then I’d echo recommendations for LTA and Backert.  Best of luck.

@davetheoilguy hello, you have amazing stuff! I would just be the Esoteric Fanboy!

I have Stern and Heisenbergs...If  I can't hear synergy at least I can see it!  Both easily better than the (old) Classe I have heard to me.  Good Luck!

@soix 

Hey souix.  No, dual mono and balanced are not the same.

Dual mono is akin to monoblock amps.  You have wholly separate equipment for left and right channels, but often placed in one box.  There are various degrees of dual channel, but the best are separate from power plug forward.

Google Captain Nemo’s own Dan D’Agostino Relentless Preamplifier for an easy-to-see, no compromises, version of this.

@fastfreight 

Stern & Heisenberg?  Sounds like a law firm, but I’m uncertain.

I’m not familiar with the Stern preamp, but did a little looking.  audio net makes them.  Facade by the Apple designer, and there is a definite clean Apple Macintosh (the early years) look to the Stern preamp, in particular.  Very crisp

All the specs are there, and I’ll look.  I’ve never even heard of Audionet before but they clearly make cool stuff.

thanks!

Hi, this is the same dilemma when I decided to improve my Mark Levinson pre. More musical or more precise? Well I prefer the second because I like to "insulate" the single instrument (I listen a lot of jazz music), but in any case you are dealing with high quality products that can play in any situation with the maximum pleasure.

My dilemma was: Robert Koda (more musical) or Soulution (more analytic)? I both the second (725) plus 751 for vinyls. I love Esoteric, it is my CD Player (K01XD).

How about the Aesthetix Calypso Preamplifier heard some good reviews?

The Townshend Allegri Reference Passive preamp is better than all those. 

Good luck....

Out of my price league, just one comment

The more revealing your system, excellent imaging capabilities, you realize MANY tracks benefit a lot by a slight balance adjustment,

Thus I always want a remote balance feature.

+10 Backert Labs. Look at, listen to the Rhythm. About $10k. Contrary to one comment here it IS balanced with XLR in and out. And if you do buy one consider replacing the tubes (there are only 2) with RCA 12sn7's with adapters. Outstanding.  I've had one for several years now. 

There's a Nagra PL-L on the other site for $6K. Its a piece I'd LOVE to someday own. Was an $11K linestage in 2010. Goals,...

@davetheoilguy Head on over to WBF. Much more diverse group over there both from an economic and intellectual level. You are going to find members with more actual experiences to share on this subject than here.

davetheoilguy OP

62 posts

01-09-2024 at 03:22pm 

@jacobsdad2000 @thecarpathian 

LOL.  It was constructive.  I was thinking "steampunk" for the D'Agostino, but it's very Royal Oak Offshore in its looks to put it into watch terms.  Doesn't make it not a fantastic amp (which it is), but I'm having trouble with its looks.  I'm more of a Rolex Daytona guy.  To keep rolling with the watch analogy, the Esoteric is a bit like the highest end Apple Watch, technically fantastic kit.  But something is missing.

 I probably should give the Classe Preamp a try, but I just don't know anything about it.  I kind of fell into the Classe monoblocks at a lightly-used, 50% off, situation and they are a known great match for the Bowers diamonds, such that Bowers (at the factory) unequivocally recommended them (privately, not as a company).

Can you tell me more about the Nagra HD you saw?  It seems awesome, but $70K is making me puke.

FWIW synergy and enhancing the strengths should be the goal with such a highly resolving system. Since I own an Esoteric C-03/ A-03 I know the house sound, when adding a different brand extreme caution is needed. Logic would be try the Classe preamp first then Esoteric.

Curious as to why you’re moving on from the prima Luna evo 400, that’s on my radar as a preamp upgrade….

@woots 

" Nagra is, after all, made up of musicians."

Funny, I was an electronic countermeasures officer in the Army.  When I think of Nagra, I think of equipment we used to figure out what bad guys were up to in Iraq and other unsundry places.  I was surprised to find out they made anything for the public market.

Top notch kit, in that arena.

@jacobsdad2000 

Thanks for the tip.  I'm in intel mode, so all sources help.

@tmortsd 

"Curious as to why you’re moving on from the prima Luna evo 400, that’s on my radar as a preamp upgrade…"

That's a fair question.  I think it's mainly because I'm an incessant tinker with all things electronic.  The Prima Luna Evo 400 is a very nice preamp, and certainly one of the best tube pieces for a person who doesn't want to mess with tubes. 

Since we went with a watch analogy above, I'll switch to cars.   If you think of a typical high-end tube pre-amp as a Ferrari, it's amazing, but a lot of trouble for a daily driver car. The Evo 400 is akin to a Porsche.  It's a reliable sports car, not particularly troublesome, and can easily serve as a daily driver, albeit one that bounces you around on your commute.  I'm looking for a preamp that is akin to Range Rover with 580 HP and even more torque where I can not worry about being crushed by an oilfield truck, but can still smoke the wheels at 80mph when I punch the gas.

Long way of saying, the Evo 400 is a really good choice.  It's got balanced input/output, true dual mono.  I've been happy with it, but looking for a bit more, which unfortunately means a huge move up in price, probably $70K or maybe $150K if I go with Captain Nemo (lol)'s Relentless.

Depending on where this goes, I may be a source for a used Evo, although I may keep it and move it to my ski house.  Still have the boxes! 

I had the top of the line Classe mono-block amps a few years back. I used to own all Classe gear 20 years ago too. Give the new Classe preamp an audition. Another very good preamp is the PS Audio BHK signature preamp. I sold my Classe gear and went with PS Audio BHK gear. I like the sound quality of the D'Agostino equipment.

Just for fun look at an Audio Research Ref 6.
Heard it a couple times at a local dealer and

it sounded just great. Was a bit above my budget, 

so I’m saving up to get one. 

@sewolla 

It's a fantastic preamp, but not dual mono (from what I've read).

@thecarpathian re jacobdad -  it sounds like: I am hanging out with you but I have much cooler friends than you. What an honor!

I know, right?

The sun shone extra bright that day he joined.

Then rejoined, then rejoined, then rejoined....

@jacobsdad2000

So why are you slumming here with us lowlifes?

Sounds to me like you should audition the Ypsilon PST100 Mk2 pre amplifier.  I am very impressed with its balance, detail, and musicality.

Have you considered the Ayre KX-R Twenty?  Dual mono. Fully balanced. Should be a good match for Classe amps. 

@davetheoilguy ,

Sorry, man.

Don't want to derail this thread.