Suggestions for a holographic preamp?


I'm looking to replacing my Herron Audio tube line stage with something else, not because of a problem with the sound, but for a few other reasons.

I do both digital and analog, and have a Herron Audio tube phono preamp. My power amp is an MSB S-200, which is awesome, and my speakers are Marten Parker Duos, which are wonderful for a deep, holographic soundstage that I like so much.

I listen mostly to rock and reggae, and I'm looking to keep the price under $10K US, and I'm fine with a used one as well.

I get the feeling that I will need a tube preamp to get that holographic sound, but perhaps there are some SS ones that do as good a job?

The fellow I work with at The Music Room suggested a ModWright LS-100 or a used PS Audio BHK preamp; I've researched and they both look like they'd fit the bill, but I'd like to hear your suggestions, too! 

larsman

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

OP, 
 

Sounds like you may simply want a system that images well... not necessarily holographic. Holographic has such depth of soundstage and pinpoint imaging that instruments are suspended in three dimensions. So for instance an instrument can be suspended in space that takes up a two foot sphere located five feet off the ground half way back in the sound stage, the kick drums a dozen feet behind. Anyway, I have heard a number of these. I’d recommend hearing one, just to see if that is something you want. Maybe you do. The big Wilson speakers with high end solid state are good at this as are Burmeister.

My system has excellent imaging and natural / musical sound. Folks that have heard my system have commented that it has outstanding imaging. It is an Audio Research system. I highly recommend Audio Research preamps. Very natural, musical and great as imaging (speaker dependent). You can go used if you want to reduce cost. 

Your choices are within the realm of middle of the road sounding preamps. You want to look at the categories that define what you are looking for:

#1 Burmester. Also dCs and Roland with the right speakers. 

Holographic... immense sound field not bounded by walls or the room. These brands are in a completely different category.