2. amps-preamps
  3. 1128646830

Preamp/Amp synergy with Cain Abby's?

Well here it is: I finally got my Cain Abby's three months ago and they are completely broken in (800+ hours). Now it's finally time to try out some different preamp/amps. After talking to Terry (Cain) and since no amp seems perfect for my musical tastes (everything from World, Jazz, Rock), I am currently looking at getting two different amps for different moods with a matching preamp:

Fi Y preamp

SET amps:
(intended for low volume, relaxed listening sessions)
Bottlehead S.E.X. amp (already got it, but it is still not quite finished)
Fi X amp (planned for sometime in the future, fits 2A3 and 45 tubes, just love the looks)

Solid State:
(for more bottom end control, and a fast, tight sound)
First Watt F1

Any comments, experiences, recommendations?

The rest of my system...(just replaced the Super 3 with Abby's)

Well, thanks already in advance for all your help.

Best wishes,

Rene
restock

Showing 3 responses by salectric

salectric
747 posts
 
I suggest you ask Terry Cain about the Moebius line stage that he uses in his own system. This is very nice sounding design from Poindexter at AudioTropic. See the following site for more details:

http://www.audiotropic.net/Products/mobius.html

I built one a couple months ago and am very pleased with it.

(Apologies in advance if this is a repetition; I tried 24 hours ago to post a similar message and it's never appeared.)

Dave
salectric
747 posts
 
Restock,

Sorry to be so late in responding. Somehow I missed your posting from several days ago.

When I built my Moebius, I started out with the design just like Poindexter describes on his AudioTropic site, which is the same as the one reviewed in 6Moons. Terry Cain's Moebius is different, as I suspect he told you, in that it uses 6SN7 tubes instead of the 6AQ5/6005 tubes that Poindexter now prefers. Since I haven't heard the 6SN7 version, I have no idea how it would compare sonically. What I do know is that the "standard" Moebius with JAN Sylvania 6005 tubes sounds fast, detailed, coherent and powerful (an odd term for a preamp). It has amazing dynamics. For my tastes, the bass is a little lean, but that is easily tweaked through some tube and component changes. For example, right now, I'm using RCA 6005 tubes without any damping rings, a Noble volume control instead of the Alps Blue Velvet that the review unit had, and I made a few capacitor changes as well. These changes trade off some of the speed for a warmer tonal balance, but all of the positive qualities of the stock Moebius are still present.

Incidentally, I think the 6Moons review is right on the money. It's a little short of the usual audiophile commentary, but what he says is definitely borne out by my experience. You can also read the same reviewer's report on the DeHavilland UltraVerve Jr. to get some additional perspective on the Moebius.

I'm using the Moebius right now with Cary 40M monoblocks to drive Spendor SP100's.

I recommend it highly!

Dave
salectric
747 posts
 
Restock,

You're certainly welcome. Send me an email when you're ready for another DIY project, and we can discuss the Moebius.

Dave
More to discover