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 4 responses by jackd

@larsman 

I've owned both of the preamps your colleague recommended and I doubt either one would be the equal of your current preamp.  If you're interested at all in the Modwright units then look higher up the line.  The BHK is not only discontinued but noisy and finnicky about tubes. As the reseller of most PS Audio trade-in gear I'm sure they have a warehouse full at this point.  I would look at Backert and Linear Tube Audio.

@larsman 

No problem but my assessment of the two preamps having owned both for multiple years is the same.  If I had to chose between the two it would be the LS-100 but think there are a lot better options.  

@larsman 

The volume control unit in Aric's preamps are from Khozmo and that looks like one of the cheaper and simpler models available from Khozmo.  You might want to look on their website and see the other versions available and ask for one of those.  Don Sachs used a model with volume, mute, input selection and display control in a $2800 preamp. Remote is the same just with more functions. 

@larsman 

I've never owned or even heard an Aric preamp but I do own a Don Sachs and a Supratek so I'm familiar with that 6SN7 sound profile.  I think you will enjoy it and will find it different than the 6DJ8 based Herron.