Suggestions for a holographic preamp?

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

@vthokie83  Yes it does.  Very well done and thank you. 

I have an Allnic L-8000 DHT pre-amp, it is the end game pre for me.  Before the L-8000 I had a used L-7000 that was phenomenal and before that a used L-3000 which was also exceptional.  There is an Allnic sound and holographic is a big part of it.  They are also almost un-tube like in clarity, transparency and quietness but retain the beautiful timbre of tubes.  I believe the L-7000 (used) is under $10000.

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.

When my Phon' was being designed over a period of time there was a few Circuits Produced of which a few were superseded. Even though the updated designs were a betterment ( Personal Preference as a result of listening evaluation). The earlier designs were introduced on occasion to measure where the differences being produced were able to be discerned for the impression of the End Sound being produced.

A Friend after being demo'd my Phon' on a few occasions wanted to have a model in their own system.

When having been demo'd an earlier Prototype, they remained smitten and after having it put into a Casing with a few component exchanges, had bought into the design at very very fair monies. My experiences of this Phon' is enjoyed as much as my own, there is only small differences to the voicing that I can detect in the different system.

There may be a Prototype/ Prototypes that still remains, which can be discussed with Mr Sachs. Such a Model may become after a little attention, a Bespoke Design that will due to Pedigree always be a Saleable Pre Amp, offering much of the attraction of the Amp' offered to the broader community?