2. amps-preamps
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Replacing my MFA Luminescence B2 preamp

I have in the past year returned to high end audio after a ten year lapse. I just got my JC Verdier La Platine TT out, purchased a brand new ZYX Ultimate 100 mounted on a 25 year old SME V. The only other source equipment is a Wadia 16 of 1990’s (?) vintage. Amplification is through Von Gaylord / Legend Audio mono block amp.  I dug out an old pair of Morel MLP 202 bookshelf speaker. And I started playing music through my thirty year old MFA Luminescence preamp.  ( I know, It’s an eclectic mix ! )

My question has to do with the preamp. It’s a vintage piece of gear, apparently still sought after.  But I am decidedly not technically oriented. Every so often, it requires maintenance. As I write this, it is sitting in a shop, because the phono section works only in one channel. MFA Luminescence is brilliant in action, but it’s the down time that has me thinking I should move to a simpler setup. I wonder if moving to a Coincident Phono preamp might not be the answer? It fits my set up of  only two source equipments. Would it be a step down? Any other options?

please help!
ledoux1238

Showing 11 responses by ledoux1238

ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
atmasphere, thanks for your thoughts.

After  ten years of not concerning myself with high end audio, I was not quite sure how to regard the MFA. I guess you’re giving it a thumbs up over the Coincident.

The technician who is servicing the unit gave me the exact same suggestion, change out the caps! We’ll be going ahead with that. He is also my tube supplier. 

Regarding the power supply, what should I be looking out for.


Thanks!











ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
Thank you for your comments. 

It looks like a deeper commitment to the Luminescence  is the way to go. 
I’ll be taking care of TT belts shortly. Digital will have to take a back seat even though I agree with elevick that it is a weak link.

Thanks !
ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
roberjerman, 

I just googled PF C7 preamp. May need to look into it more.

Thanks!

ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
Hi atmasphere,

Very good point about original parts not up spec. We'll be updating caps as you recommend.

Thanks !


ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
Hi Joe,

My situation was clearly a case of not knowing a good. I have since been set straight, and lately by you. 

I contacted Scott many moons ago, right after my purchase. He verified that it was of the ‘B’ iteration. I may write to him as you suggest.

I  found a good guy helping with Lumi repairs. It has been trouble free so far. He has restored the ‘bypass’ switch, and I finally found the proper loading for the ZYX. Everything is good.

He did mentioned  that a direct comparison between a Lumi phono stage and a Vendetta was done in his shop years back. Vendetta won hands down. I am not looking to change, mind you. But...........In any case, Vendettas are near impossible to find. 


ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
The posts by Jafox and opus111 are very much appreciated. I think they touched on the intent of my original post. I was really wondering about Lumi’s place in today’s hi-end audio world.

There is no question that Lumi has become a collector’s item, overated or not. But how does its past reference quality performance rate today? Arthur Salvatore’s ‘B’ class rating for the Lumi was my initial guide. I knew I wasn’t getting a top-of-the-line full function preamp with my purchase. But for the money, during the early 2000’s, it was still very good. My initial query was how it would fair compared to a well regard percent day Coincident phono amp, which retails around $ 6,000. 

Finally, if we are talking about reference level full function preamps nowadays, then it  would be, at least, in the $15,000 level, no? Prices have really gotten out of control even since the 2000’s.  It would be silly to expect greatest from a Lumi  against these, right?


ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
Within the span of two posts, we have responses from a past owner of the MC Reference and a present day owner of a Venusian!!! Very impressive.

One of the corollary of what teo_audio982 is suggesting is that certain vintage gears, by virtue of their longevity, represent well established  sets of values in music reproduction that tends to endear themselves to music lovers, rather than the flavor of the month crowd. They illicit emotions of joy and contentment , rather than doubt or  confusion. 

I like that very much. 

ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
@atmasphere Thanks for the last bit of advice. When time allows, I will be doing some comparisons with newer preamps.
ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
I just read up on  AR SP10, SP11, ML-7a, and CJ Premier 7 through a series of Stereophile reviews. All reference level preamps from mid-80’s to early 90’s vintages. 

 If @jafox ‘barely preferred’ the AR SP 10 over the Lumi, then it should belong to an same elite group.  Lumi being ‘outclassed’ by the above preamps, may be an over-statement by @opus111 ? Although I have read/heard from several sources that  the Jadis JP-80 was a  class above the rest.
ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
@jafox Kudos to your post from 2008 on the Aria WV5 XL in particular,  and your audio quest in general. Your experiences with the various preamps have also given me a better reference point for the Lumi, I think.

I came to acquire the Von Gaylord power amp  through reading IAR. I have contacted VG about upgrading the power amp. It has not occurred to me to go all VG. The RE-search continues.....

On an entirely different matter, noticing that a pair of Soundlab A1 sit in your listening room,  I wondered if you could enlighten me regarding electrostatics on a different post : https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/quad-2912-vs-martin-logan-esl-11a. Thanks!
ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
@atmasphere Thanks for that bit of insight on the JP80. 
Next upgrade for the Lumi will be the vol pots. 
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