@seasidelps - thank you for that recommendation; I'd not heard of Viola Labs before and I looked them up; fascinating stuff, and I've no doubt that this is as good as you say it is, and $4500 or so for something that listed for $22K is great value, but I've also got to consider resale value, so I'll be sticking to some still relatively obscure but better known brands, and ones that don't need an iPod and 2.4G router! Hopefully some other people might see this recommendation and look into that at TMR.
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!
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@larsman can you let me know which tube have upgraded to from the stock tubes of Herron Pre-amp? |
@audio_phool - sure, I'll check it out and get back to you in the next day or so. |
@audio_phool - OK, it originally had stock tubes, I don't remember which kind, and I replaced them with 4 6922 Amperex Bugle Boys. Those were fine with the speakers I had at the time, but shortly afterwards I upgraded the speakers and the Bugle Boys were too 'hot' for them, so I put the stock tubes back in. Still have the Bugle Boys, though. |
I have not heard the Herron but I’m very happy with Octave Audio HP300SE. The sound with stock tubes is good but with top of the line NOS, the presentation is phenomenal. The dimensionality of the sound stage is very clear. Replaced the stock tubes with Siemens E88CC and Tfk 801s. Even though this is a tube preamp it doesn’t sound tubey or euphonic. It’s very precise and transparent. |
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