I’m enjoying my Audio Hungary APR 204 (NOS Tungsram) tube pre. A no-brainer 2k preamp.
Need preamp recommendation
Hi everyone :)
I am in the market for a 2-ch preamp to go with my power amp, and am looking for some recomendations. Will prob go used, as I think I can get more value for my money. I would like to limit the sale price @ $4k.
Do I want this?:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Krell-Illusion-II-preamplifier/254393285505
Maybe something else?
Thanks in advance.
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The Don Sachs preamp is just a dressed up VTA SP14. Much prettier and about $1000 more. The Don Sachs model will run you about $2500 and the VTA SP14 comes in at about $1500. You can save $500 by building as a kit. You won't find a better preamp at any price. But if you're interested in something very cool in a classic piece, look for a Fisher 400 CX-2. This was Fisher's very worthy competitor to the Mac C22 and Marantz 7. But they never sustained the rep, so today on the used market, sell for less than either the Mac or Marantz tube preamps. But they are gorgeous! You'll typically find them on EBay if anywhere. There are two there right now. One is listed at $2500 and needs a lot of work. The other is totally done over and gorgeous at $4000. The Fisher 400 CX-2 was the best preamp they ever made and was typically only found in the homes of the very wealthy and celebrities. This piece is special. |
The Don Sachs preamp is just a dressed up VTA SP14. Much prettier and about $1000 more.I don’t believe that’s true. Last I looked, Don uses a slew of key premium parts that if used in the SP14 would make their prices much more comparable. Making it sound like the Sachs pre just has a prettier cabinet is inaccurate and sells it way short IMO. |
Thank you for all of the great suggestions! I had no idea So, this morning I decided to go with a brand new decware ZTPRE. I called this morning, to see what the lead time is - four months. Holy holy! I now have my eye on a previously recommended Rotel RC-1570. Brad new, it’s 1k, as oppposed to 3k for the ZTPRE. I know that price does not dictate sound quality, but I am also of the mindset that you get what you pay for. Then I found this: https://jsqt.smugmug.com/JSQT-Sales/n-JRDXgd/ but I cant seem to find these people to see if the Rumba is still avail. Ahhhh....choices, choices..... |
Perhaps a better way to go would be to tell us what you have had for a pre and what you like/dislike or are searching for?? what is the one detail that you eoyld like to hear from a new pre? Soundstage, liveliness, more cow bell, mid bass? We might be able to help with the right I do. I have owned a dozen tubed and SS pres in the last 10 years and need your help to make a recommendation. |
@riffwraith,
Congratulations on the new acquisition! You will be amazed by this preamp. I remember discussing with @1markr and @chilehed on this preamp. You can see this preamp in our systems. I am thrilled and amazed to this day every time I play music on my system. The best part is you can "tune" it to your liking by changing the tunes. Would love to hear from you once you get it in your system. Do keep us posted! |
don’t believe that’s true. Last I looked, Don uses a slew of key premium parts that if used in the SP14 would make their prices much more comparable. Making it sound like the Sachs pre just has a prettier cabinet is inaccurate and sells it way short |
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Oooh - lookey what I got :) http://jeffreyhayat.com/temp/rhum.jpg VERY happy with this purchase. Thanks again all! |
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Sorry, @jjss49 but I disagree. As much as I like and admire Dan Wright I have owned both his LS100 and LS36.5. Neither came close to the performance of the Herron. The performance gap was not entirely attributable to personal preference or system dependency--the Herron is objectively much quieter, more resolving and reliable than either of the Modwright units. To be fair, the Herron also costs a lot more money. Even within the Modwright units there are big differences--the LS100 is a ton warmer and more "tube" sounding than the 36.5, which is quite lean (almost sterile) in presentation. |
@dodgealum no problems, your experiences are always relevant and important to share dan has obviously been through an evolution over the years, i agree his voicing has changed some, and is not as consistent as some other makers across products and time, but i have always felt he fundamentally strives for an extended, fairly linear (not rolled off) sound, with good speed on transients, and tube goodness for expanded soundstaging and texture of vocals other thing i would say is, similar to the other units that allow it (arc being the major exception) tube rolling significantly alters tonal balance and noise floor |
