Preamp Suggestions for hot-rodded Odyssey Khartago?


I am basically ruling out the Candela due to wanting to hear it before the end of the world and though for a while I was dead set on it, I kept watching for anything interesting used that would match well. I would like to go tube to get at least some of the tube staging.

Max budget is $2k but would rather stay under $1500.

Musical taste is mostly reggae, punk, 80's and 90's alt, grunge, etc with a smattering of hip hop, jazz, electronic, musique concrete and metal.

For overall sound I'd like something that would augment Odyssey's already fast and dynamic sound with good bass.

Thanks
gochurchgo

Showing 13 responses by gochurchgo

@jackd thanks. I will look into those. Good call on the sensitivity.

@tomic601 I absolutely believe you but the wait times are getting hilarious. Like do I want to wait 3-8 months?
@tomic601 thanks. I will look into that

@jackd I’m on there but since Klaus is also in there I choose not to post
I’ll be running a DAC (think Topping D30/SMSL Sanskrit/Schiit Modi Uber) and a phonostage (outputs .25mv) so would it be a dumb question to ask if a passive would work given Odyssey’s low impedance?
@georgehifi I originally bought the Freya/Vidar and the Freya was kind of a mess. Horrible microphonics, the tubes we’re unusable, and I agree with some about the clicking volume.

As others said, and I echo this as well, that the JFET and tube stage sounded the same. I don’t see how they can sell a tube amp with obvious issues. But some people love theirs so...

i have no no doubt they will get it worked out and I applaud their quality to dollar ratio. I just had a bad experience and don’t want to do it again. I truly wanted to be in love with the combo and it didn’t happen. 
@georgehifi Thanks. You almost make me want to try one again. The release of the Vidar was what got me thinking separates in the first place. Which then lead me to Vincent, then AVA and then Odyssey. All told, I'd rather get a Candela but I am reconsidering.
@giantsalami Can you shed some light on what the Modwright did better? Also what kind of music?
@bondmanp Thanks, one of the things I have to compensate for it that I don't listen to "audiophile music". So, though I have seen CJ stuff used I haven't really given them much thought as I believe I read/am under the belief that CJ stuff is tube/mid heavy for jazz and vocal material. Maybe thats not correct?

Funny you mention the Croft as I have been reading about them lately. Ugly but all signs point to a great sound for the price. 
@georgehifi  I hear ya, but I wouldn't say that to them. If I was buying 10 of them I would, but I doubt they care about a single complainer (not that they are indifferent so much as busy).
@bondmanp Thanks, thats good perspective! I am not after ultimate fidelity (HERESEY!) but rather a nice sound. I have tons of badly recorded + mediocrely pressed reggae albums, I don't want to render them unlistenable. I like detail and dynamics and speed but will give up some resolution for warmth and a "safer" sound to help those bad records out a touch.

I'll take a look at the PV11
@italian yeah, more and more I feel like Candela is the way to go. I guess I should learn to be more patient and follow my original plan.

thats not to say other pre’s won’t work but I don’t want to play musical preamps until I find one that works.