It's a very well-reviewed preamp, but a remote seems like a good thing to have. Perhaps the Cary SLP-98?
Recommendations please!
So I am flirting with getting a new (at least to me) preamp. I currently run an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A with the MC phono boards. It's a great preamp that I have been using for maybe ten years, and heartily recommend it to others. I have thoroughly enjoyed it -- except for the lack of remote. I am getting to find it tedious to get up to mute it or adjust volume every time I need to do so. And at ten years of use, it's about the oldest piece in my system, so a change just for the heck of it wouldn't be unwelcome.
I need plenty of inputs (Phono, DAC, CDP, tuner, a couple of aux (for more phono!), and would like both phono section and balance control/dual mono (the Mod 3A is dual mono). Obviously, a remote. Amp is a recently upgraded MacCormack DNA-1. I want something that will sound at least as good as what I have now. Used is possible, but I'm not interested in vintage this time around. I like, but don't necessarily require, tubes. No need for balanced inputs.
Budget? Let's keep it under $3K USD -- preferably WELL under.
Tall order, right? That's why I've kept the AI Mod3A so long . . .
Thoughts?
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What improvements would you like to have over the AI (besides a remote), and what performance characteristics are most important to you? Also, you’re greatly limiting your choices by requiring an truly good onboard phono stage, so unless you’re extremely space constrained I’d recommend considering a separate phono pre to significantly expand your options. |
I'm not sure what your budget is but I've been very pleased with the McIntosh C2700 tube preamp, I'm sure you can find an older version. I was originally worried it would be too rolled off sounding but its not your older Mac preamp its very neutral and detailed, With an all tube analogue stage it also has all the tube sound you'd expect like sound staging, musical etc. The phono stage's are surprisingly good as well. I sold my Gold Note ph10 as the internal tube stage was as quiet and better sounding IMO. I was not a big fan of Mac gear for years but the newer stuff is surprisingly good and after a demo I ended up keeping it. Oh its got enough inputs for any user, plus a great internal DAC that interfaces with a TV very well if that's something you need. I bet you could find a reasonably priced used C2200-C2500 and be very happy. Its nice having a piece that everything just works well. |
I’ve never owned AVA gear, but it is well-reviewed and shows up on a lot of best lists. Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence 10 RB ($999 USD) |
I had the Van Alstine Transcendence which was a great preamp with plenty of inputs. I upgraded to an Aesthetix Calypso and the difference in SQ was marked. The Calypso also has a remote, plenty of inputs both balanced and RCA but it is a line stage but as someone has suggested you would be better off with a separate phono pre. The Calypso has a plug on the back labelled phono but I assume that is for connecting a phono pre. The sparse manual makes no mention of the phono connection. |
@rnm4 imo your AI M3A preamp is worth keeping, and if someone such as @bigkidz can add a nice remote control setup and upgrade it for you too, this might be another serious consideration - - if your goal is a remote with improved sound. A good friend who passed owned the same AIM3A preamp for many year. He ran it with a Music Reference RM9 MKII tube amplifier. I heard it with a nice upgraded Sonic Frontiers preamp and then the RM9MKII both, many times. Very nice. |
Another option would be to add a transparent remote volume control on the cheap like this, which uses high-quality Vishay resistors in its stepped volume control… https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649881452-placette-audio-rvc-wremote/ |
Hello Ato all,having owned a Audio store and knowing upgrades or modding very well ,many preamps miss the boat at the end the volume control is very important and using the little round silver alps pot is such a down grade ,it has plastic carbon contacts $20 retail ,you are loosing a Lot of inner,low level detail.a great example the top prima luna $4500 preamp ,went through all that trouble to put in a lot of nice parts them totally blew at on the outputs , a shunt resistor ladder type NIght and day better, as well as ,relay type ,linear digital type .one ofmy good friends build preamps, look at Don Sachs ,he builds a excellent preamp ,and uses the Excellent Khozmo volume attenuation ,buy with theVishay naked output resistors on the outputs fantastic resolution ,yes dealers cost $250 but much much better then cheap Alps type. My point is lookfor quality , even the $900 Schiit audio tube preamp uses a resistor ladder output on the volume. |
Check out Tubes4hifi.com also known as VTA (Valve Tube Audio) http://www.tubes4hifi.com/SP14.htm I just purchased the SP13 (assembled version) and can’t say enough how good the build and SQ are. Roy, the owner, can assemble it for you or you can purchase as a kit and build it yourself. He responds to email inquiries quickly and follows up after your delivery to make sure the preamp is meeting your expectations and believe me, it will exceed them. Check out the reviews, not a single negative review as well as you don’t see many, if any on the resale market. These are keepers and I’m sure Roy could accommodate your needs. Like I said, check the user reviews and forums and you’ll find nothing but happy owners. |
I owned the 3a and then the newest version of the 3b (4 sale soon) and they are truly wonderful amps. I had the opportunity to pick up an Aesthetix Janus Signature which is a step up in sound, especially the phono stage, and it has a remote. A pre owned Aesthetix Janus Signature is in your price range. Worthy of consideration |
I use a Schiit Freya + with an original McCormack DNA-1. It has a remote, lots of unbalanced and balanced inputs, and can run as a tube preamp with gain or as pure passive or as no gain solid state. It’s pretty remarkable. Different tubes create different sound signature so tube rolling can completely change it. Can you tell me more about your DNA-1 upgrade? On my list of next upgrades is the power amp and wondering if it’s better to upgrade or change course to something else entirely. thanks. |
@nymarty I sent my DNA 0.5 Rev A to SMcAudio for the GT22 upgrade (no added options), which is the full rebuild plus the Gravity Base Jr. and should be getting it back very soon, and if you’d like I can relay my thoughts. My 0.5 died due to what was likely the dreaded input board failure that you probably know is fatal and can’t be repaired. My decision was to spend $2500 on the upgrade or possibly go with one of the new GaN amps that are getting great reviews. It was a very hard decision, but in the end I knew I really loved the sound of my amp so making it a lot better seemed like more of a sure thing versus going with a relative unknown and a relatively new technology, plus the GaN amps I was looking at were considerably more expensive than the SMcUpgrade (AGD Tempo di GaN, Atma-Sphere Class D) so all things considered I went with the bird in the hand and here we are. |
@rnm4 Thanks! @soix let me know what you think when you get it back. I’ve read here that many have done it and are very happy with results. I’ve been guessing it would cost about $3K plus shipping etc. there are some really good new and more recent used options at that price so have to give it more thought. Thanks! |
@nymarty Will do. Your DNA-1 would be $2800 for the same upgrade and $3500 if you choose the full Gravity base instead of the Jr. version, so your guess was right in the ballpark. |
You didn't mention what kind of amp you use. Have you considered an integrated amp? Sometimes they are a much better value. I was in your exact shoes 15 or so years ago and was looking to replace my preamp which sounded fine, but had not remote. After looking for a preamp with a remote for a reasonable price, I ended up getting a lightly used Plinius 8200MKII (Class AB solid state). Still have it and it sounds great. I sold my old amp and preamp and the integrated ended up being less expensive. Also comes with an adjustable phono section which I used for a long time until I took the plunge for an external phono stage (Sutherland Insight LPS). Can't beat the Sutherland for quiet detailed sound, and great value. I know...it's solid state.....but the dead black sound is preferable to me over "warmth". Plinius is not highly distributed in the US, but they are available. I think a new one that is based on the 8200MKII goes for around $4K, but you can get used or rebuilt 8200s for less than $2K. |
The Cary is a great preamp. I have the F-1 version which is direct coupled, has audio one output caps,hexfreds Kimber kable wiring on the outputs.I can't say that it is better than the AA 3A.If you really like it,I would talk to bigkidz about his mods.and you can try a passive volume control with remote.I never really understood the two volume controls on the AA gear.Some others as well.Don't bother with the video at the beginning of the link. Its painfull watching any of Steve's reviews.he just blabbers on without telling anything usefull about the SLP-98. His hands never stop moving.It's like watching a Joe Cocker concert from 70s.Very anoying Good luck with your quest. |