Thanks for chiming in Randy, but I need some practical advice on making a pre change.... I'm quite experienced at room treatment.... My speakers can be anything that I want to build.... My current speakers completely disappear and compete at a high level. Can't quite build a new listening room for my pre amp budget.
I'm really wondering what the characteristics are of the preamps that I've listed and how they might compare to each other or any other recommendations.
Tim |
@ghosthouse Thanks for the really good advice... I could call Jason. I met him a few times way back when from when he was at Sumo.... No, I really don't have to sell everything off.... I've been telling my wife for awhile that I'd get rid of some of this stuff and I keep collecting... I've got a room full of raw drivers and crossover parts, a few amps, 3 tables, yada yada, yada... overall she is quite good to me about this hobby, but I keep bringing stuff in wiithout selling off. So, yes, I could sell this integrated easily, it is well sought after since its resale value is fairly low and it performs quite well. Then keep the pre while I look around...
My instinct is that the CJ will have a bit more texture and be similar elsewhere, but haven't heard the CJ and It doesn't have 2 pre outs, so I'd have to make a y adapter.
I've only heard good things about the Audio Research LS12... Like the CJ Premier, it is the best Solid state pre that AR made. I have found a Bel Canto Pre 3 priced right. I perceive that as just a bit lean, very accurate and detailed, good air, good soundstage... So, I could certainly live with that....I'm hoping to hear some comparisons and in the meantime, I'll check out the Freya... I have read a couple of good things about it. Thanks Again
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@czarivey
Thanks for the reply. Overall good advice. Not sure that my lovely bride would be in for me spending $10,000 to $15,000 to stock a few pre's.
we are blessed in life, our money is good and she doesn't argue much with my indulging in audio. Yesterday, we spent a couple thousand at Lowes for the house... For some crazy reason, she finds stuff like that more important. |
Hi Czarivey,
I love my old women dearly, not looking for an ex.... Hoping someone out there will give me good feedback on The Audio Research SS vs The Conrad Johnson SS Pre's....... My interest is piqued there. I'd like to hear what these tubed companies have done with SS. I love the functionality of the Audio Research, can't fine much published on its sound quality. I believe the CJ will be something that I will most likely enjoy, but only 1 set of pre outs. I'd have to split off the pre out to run a sub.
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Thanks Al, I can't find any input impedance spec's on my old Velodyne 12 sub, the Sumo says 1 megohm.... of course that is single ended only even though it is a fully balanced design and next the Abletec modules that I built are 6k ohm in single ended input or 13k ohm in Balanced input. |
Looks like the Jeff Rowland Capri will work... 40/80 ohms
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just looked up my Coda CL... it drove any combination that I have used well... Output impedance single ended is 50 ohms and 100 ohms in balanced... I'll need to look a bit further on the Audio Research. Assuming that your suspicion is correct and it parallels the inputs between balanced and single ended. As well as checking further into my Velodyne input impedance... Thank you for you time brother, You are always a gracious contributor. |
@ghosthouse @almarg @czarivey @randy-11 Actually Al, to be fair, I've had several helpful comments, so I need to include them in my thanks... I guess I singled you out because of the amount of personal help that you have laid out to myself and so many...
So to you others, I need to say thank you to you also. No disrespect was intended by not mentioning earlier.... Not sure what I'll do yet, but I'll keep you posted.
Tim
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@almarg
Hi Al, Isn't the rule of thumb to have a 10x delta between input and output impedance? I have emailed Velodyne about the Input impedance of my sub, haven't heard yet. But looking a the Audio Research @ 200 ohms single ended and 400 ohms balanced. I'm wondering if I could get away with that? |
This could be helpful to others, thanks to @almarg I decided to contact Audio Research as the LS12 has been high on my list...
The outputs single ended and balanced on Audio Research Preamps are indeed paralleled... So there could be significant issues driving more than one device. I have also emailed Velodyne, looking for the input impedance of my sub, as of now, they have not answered. If I get this info, I'll post it.
For all of those with the great advice given, at this minute, I am leaning toward spending a few more dollars and waiting for a Jeff Rowland Capri S2 to show up on the used market. Depending on what Velodyne tells me, I suppose the Audio Research could still be in play. I am hesitant about the AR because of so little info about its sound quality.
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@soix
Well brother, you are the voice of reason... I've owned a few tubed pieces and like my solid state stuff, the longer you leave it on the better it has sounded. I supposed that I could find something that had a couple simple tubes in it that wasn't crazy expensive to replace.... I just found it a headache to turn the system on an hour before I wanted to listen or to turn it on with intent of coming back in 45 minutes to an hour and it ends up that I did not listen at all. Never know, I may end of being miserable with you.
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My impedance questions are answered. Velodyne could not give me any answers on the phone, but they finally found and emailed me schematics, so a quick forward of emails to my buddy Ed and I am good to go...
Here is my final search:
Jeff Rowland Capri S2
GamuT D3
Audio Research LS12
So, yes for the Rowland, my budget will need to go up a bit.
If everyone would keep their eyes and ears open for me, I'd be grateful. I am willing to pay market value for these pieces, no more, but I won't try to rob anyone either...
Appreciate you all,
Tim |
@russbutton I've looked at these boards a couple of times in the past... I buys cars or furniture when I need it, Apparently, I buy equipment to scratch an itch. I've been a manufacturer, a manufactures rep, a high end store owner and a diy hobiest.....I've never had huevos, so I'm probably not a real audiophile.
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@nordicnorm thanks for chiming in, will do, I'm really looking forward to it
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