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!
@invalid - I just checked out their website, and their product list is overwhelming! I'm not going to be doing any direct buys from Canada anyway (I love Canada, I just don't want to deal with international stuff). And 1997 is calling them and it wants its web style back! That has to be one of the worst looking websites I've seen in a decade or more; they really should consider hiring a web developer to do an upgrade to the 21st century. |
@larsman One other tip when investigating preamps: The output impedance is usually specified at 1KHz. But if you want to have the preamp play bass as well as it does the midrange, the output impedance at 20Hz is nice to know too. If the preamp has output coupling caps or an output transformer, its likely its output impedance is much higher at 20Hz; particularly in the case of the former. |
I’d strongly recommend considering the Vinnie Rossi Brama preamplifier. It’s an exceptional piece of gear, built around 300B tubes in the output stage with a hybrid topology that allows you to run it fully tube, fully solid-state, or a blend of both—offering remarkable flexibility. This is ultra high-end equipment, unmatched in today’s market in terms of design, craftsmanship, and sonic performance.
Vinnie Rossi, the founder and designer, is a brilliant engineer who stands firmly behind his products. His preamp is known for delivering a stunningly holographic soundstage, with a level of refinement and dimensionality that would complement your MSB and Marten setup beautifully. And since you’re already leaning toward a tube sound, this would give you that lush, spacious presentation while also offering options to tailor the voicing to your taste |
@ei001h - Oh, I'm hip to Vinnie Rossi, and I believe every word you say about his Brama preamp, but alas, budget won't permit. Thanks for your suggestion, and you are right about that combo of MSB and Marten. I seldom if ever see an MSB S-200 power amp on the market; those are real keepers. |
No such thing , a preamp. Is a part of the sum. if buying tube then a 300 B would give you this Radu Tarta builds IMO the best high quality custom preamps at less then half the Big commercial markup brands with Far superior parts quality and 40+ years in vacuum tube engineering . He has built several for me and I am very picky knowing parts quality and Audio very well decades in this so called hobby more of a quest for realism - perfection in music 🎼 music 🎶 !! |
