2. amps-preamps
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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
tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
742 posts
 

@larsman  nice choices…I love my Aric amp and he’s such a great guy as well.  I have an Aric Super 300B Set amp paired with a Supratek Cabernet 6SN7 preamp.  Just a pair made in heaven.  I have rolled and researched many 6SN7 tubes.  There are many good choices but I keep coming back to my 1952-53 Sylvania 6SN7GT, GTA, WGT versions.  They are just magical in my 2 amps.  Sylvania makes a-lot of various versions so the best ones , in my mind, are late 40’s-early 50’s short bottle with heavy chrome getter running down the sides and only the parallel  T-Plate with rectangular  Mica’s..  (NOT THE ANGLES V PLATES). The military versions have extra support rods and brown bases are most common.  I feel they sound very similar if not the same.  Just my experience and 2 cents. Enjoy the preamp.

Here is an example of a nice pair. https://ebay.us/m/aajZ45

larsman's avatar
larsman OP
2,532 posts
 

Thanks for that, @tksteingraber ! 

vthokie83
1,086 posts
 

larsman

How about an update on the preamp, curious minds want to know

 

pryso
1,990 posts
 

Either a used Don Sachs, no longer made but lower cost used, or the model that superseded it the Spatial Audio Raven.  This repeats suggestions of others.

larsman's avatar
larsman OP
2,532 posts
 

@vthokie83  - for sure, thanks for asking!

I put in an order for a LTA MicroZOTL a month ago and it should arrive on Monday.

In the meantime, I found a really nice used Aric Audio Super 6SN7 at a good price on USAM (the seller was moving up to the Motherlode XL as he wanted XLR connections) so I bought that. I've had some nice correspondence with Aric since then - and yep, what a great guy!!

The stock tubes were holding it back though, so I ordered some upgraded 6SN7's from Brent Jessee, and it sounded great with those until one of the tubes started making noises from my speaker that were like gunshots, and I'm exchanging those.

I'll likely keep the MicroZOTL as well - I can 'roll' preamps depending on the music and might be able to replace some of my tube headphone amps with the MicroZOTL.

I was considering the Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme, but with its higher price than the others, I think I'll stick with these two. 

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