Suggestions for a holographic preamp?

Larsman

I went on an extended preamp search myself last year, and this year have helped several friends upgrade their preamps as well.......must have tested at least 13 preamps. With that year long experience, here would be my choices in order:

Aric Audio Motherlode XL $6,875

Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven $6,395 (Sold and assembled by Spatial Audio)

Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 $8,500

Supratek Grange $6,500 (The Cabernet model is a step down, but is a steal at $4,000 for the budget minded)

Atma-Sphere MP-3 $6,500

BAT VK-80 $9,000

The Aric Audio Motherlode XL is the best preamplifier I have ever heard. Aric Kimball is a joy to deal, he uses the highest quality components, is point to point wired, and allows you to choose the wood for your preamp. I own this preamp as do 3 of my friends, it is magical in every aspect. Highly thought of most everywhere, and well reviewed.

The Raven preamp is really close to the Motherlode XL, and 2 of my friends prefer it to the Motherlode XL It really is a brilliant. Also highly thought of in almost all circles, and well reviewed. Don and Lynn have decades of experience in preamp and amp design, and this is the result of a "no holds barred" approach.

The Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 is a preamp that that I could absolutely love and keep for a lifetime......if I had not heard the Motherlode and Raven. There is a ton of love for this preamp on forums, and reviewers love it too.....it's really really good.

The SupraTek Grange, Atma-Sphere MP-3, and BAT preamps are also wonderful preamps. They are not in my top 3, but many many people own them and love them. I'd never fault anyone who prefers these preamplifiers. My good friend Patrick prefers his BAT VK-80 over any other preamp, and he has been with me on most of my journey.....and hears the same systems I do.

Soix

Damn that it a difficult endeavor, but I'll give it a go.

Both preamps are fully balanced 6SN7 based preamps (my preferred tube), are dead nuts quiet, background is black as night. Both have great soundstages tall and wide, both have a 3-D like effect with musicians and vocalists clearly placed on the stage, both are very transparent/detailed with even the smallest details coming through, but never ever sibilant. Both preamps are point to point wired without PCBs, use the very highest quality resistors, caps, transformers, volume controls, and wiring. Both are impeccably designed by extraordinary people.

Aric Audio Motherlode XL - The Motherlode XL is full on fun from get go, has more attack and speed, is a little more (I mean slightly) more "tube like" compared to the Raven. That makes the Motherlode a little more "rich/full" with beautiful full tone. I prefer the Aric Audio over the Raven with solid state amps (CODA S5.5, Denafrips Thallo, Pass Labs, BAT Rex 300); and I like it equally well with most tube amps (except 300B)

Raven - Is slightly more transparent and correct on tonality....neutral and slightly less tube like compared to the Motherlode, smooth and clean. It has a magical air about it, one reviewer called it "ethereal" to which I would agree if anyone can describe that. Like the Aric Audio, the soundstage is brilliant and maybe just a touch deeper; and like the Motherlode XL musicians and vocalists are believably placed on the stage. I liked the Raven with solid state amps, just slightly less than the Motherlode; and likewise the Raven is beautiful with tube amps. I will say that I preferred the Raven with the 2 300B amps I've heard (Sachs/Olson Blackbird monoblocks and Aric Audio 300B), and equally well with other tube amps (EL34, KT88, KT120)

It comes down to personal preference and the gear you are going to run in my mind. If one had never heard the other preamp, you would believe you've heard the best preamp ever made. The differences are minor, and they are both brilliant.

I hope this answers your questions Soix

I wanted to note that the list of recommendations I made, are made to Larsman's $10,000 budget; which was my max budget as well. I'm sure there are some extraordinary preamps, for much more, I just don't feel the need to seek them out.

pindac

That was me, and thank you for the reply. I've got a good supply of high quality Japanese bulk cable, but my contact in Japan has since moved back to the states....so no joy there anymore.