Suggestions for a holographic preamp?

The Sofabaton X1S is a great learning remote.  Once programmed your phone or tablet can also emulate the commands.   

Room acoustics have more influence on stereo reproduction than equipment. But answering the question asked, the Jadis JP80MC is pretty good at reproducing spatial aspects of recordings.

Why not just try a programmable learning remote?  I’d think it could learn your remote’s codes and you’d be all good.  Buy one from Amazon and if it doesn’t work just return it.  I’ve had good luck with Universal brand remotes in the past.

I have gotten excellent three-dimensional reproduction of sound from my system, which includes a Rogue Audio RP-7 tube preamp.  I have read a couple of reviews of the RP-9 that say it is an improvement over what the reviews thought was the excellent RP-7.  The RP-7 is half your stated budget, and thr RP-9 is $7,500.  It would be worth an audition.

@larsman 

No problem but my assessment of the two preamps having owned both for multiple years is the same.  If I had to chose between the two it would be the LS-100 but think there are a lot better options.  

@jackd - Ah, I stated that confusingly, sorry - he's not a co-worker of mine - I don't work anywhere! - he's the rep at the Music Room who I deal with as a customer. 

@soix Thanks for the clarification, picked it up when Lampi was described as “holographic” so I associated with their tubes creating warmth. 

Wyred4Sound STP SE would be my reccomendation.

@larsman 

I've owned both of the preamps your colleague recommended and I doubt either one would be the equal of your current preamp.  If you're interested at all in the Modwright units then look higher up the line.  The BHK is not only discontinued but noisy and finnicky about tubes. As the reseller of most PS Audio trade-in gear I'm sure they have a warehouse full at this point.  I would look at Backert and Linear Tube Audio.

@onhwy61 - good question, and I've got a very strange answer. It's the remote; this ain't just any remote, this is a cheap piece of plastic that's 3 1/2 inches long and 2 inches wide. It weighs about as much as a cheap piece of plastic that size. It falls between cushions a lot.

I've never seen anything like it; I think I read on a forum that originally his gear didn't have remote, but his customers kept requesting one, so this is it; he's showing he was putting his effort into designing and building gear, not remotes for 'em.

Still, it's got 10 buttons plus volume up and down. But these are custom programmed and a universal remote will not work with the preamp. As of now, he says he can be contacted if one needs to buy a replacement remote, but when it's down to one guy and probably a limited supply of remotes.... 

So I don't need a preamp to better the performance of my Herron, just to at least equal it, but without me having to worry about going remoteless, and as often as I use the mute and volume controls, that would not do. 

Classe preamps I have heard do it well.  Schitt Freya is no slouch and Audio Research  very good also. Shout out as well for LTA.  VAC in your price range and always a contender. 

I don't understand.  Your current system provides a deep holographic soundscape so your preamp is fully capable in this respect.  You say you want to replace it, but not for sound reason and then you don't say what those reasons are.  So why do you want to replace your current preamp?

BTW, most rock and reggae are multitrack  recordings with synthetic soundscapes.  That can be pleasant and exciting, but really not holographic.  I think you want a vast and deep soundstage with good imaging.

OP, 
 

Sounds like you may simply want a system that images well... not necessarily holographic. Holographic has such depth of soundstage and pinpoint imaging that instruments are suspended in three dimensions. So for instance an instrument can be suspended in space that takes up a two foot sphere located five feet off the ground half way back in the sound stage, the kick drums a dozen feet behind. Anyway, I have heard a number of these. I’d recommend hearing one, just to see if that is something you want. Maybe you do. The big Wilson speakers with high end solid state are good at this as are Burmeister.

My system has excellent imaging and natural / musical sound. Folks that have heard my system have commented that it has outstanding imaging. It is an Audio Research system. I highly recommend Audio Research preamps. Very natural, musical and great as imaging (speaker dependent). You can go used if you want to reduce cost. 

Seems “holographic” preamp means Sonics goosed up by tube midrange.  Maybe a CJ preamp?

@kennyc  No, that’s not it at all.  Midrange is tonality and holographic is soundstage width, depth, height, and image placement within and throughout that space.  Two totally different things. 

I have had a very holographic experience with my Backert Rhythm. Well worth looking into!

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Seems “holographic” preamp means Sonics goosed up by tube midrange.  Maybe a CJ preamp?

I have really enjoyed my Linear Tube Audio Microzotl preamp.  They just came out with the level 3 version.  I have a level 2 and have loved the resolution versus previous preamps.  I switched from 12SN7 to NOS 6SN7 and I thought the sound improved to another level.  

The benchmark LA4 is totally transparent, if the depth is on the recording it is in the LA4's output.

This component is relatively inexpensive, about $3k, and can be auditioned at home for 30 days.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/a-stock/products/benchmark-la4-line-amplifier

https://benchmarkmedia.com/pages/30-day-risk-free-trial

No harm in trying.

Audionet is often praised for it's holographic sound.  No tubes or tricks.  I have owned the BHK pre and would not recommend it. Others' experience will certainly vary.

@kofibaffour with another “removed post”. I sense a recurring theme here…..

@kofibaffour  It’s not that a good preamp is adding a 3D, holographic soundstage, ideally it just allows it to come through better if it’s on the recording.  Some preamps just do this better than others, and it’s the same with amps, speakers, etc.  For example, cheap solid state preamps don’t tend to be able to communicate a holographic soundstage as more accomplished preamps can  And yes, a good preamp will sound less holographic with a flat recording if that’s how it was recorded and if it’s truly transparent.  But I agree if a pre is artificially boosting this somehow it’s not a good thing, at least for me.  I just want to hear what’s really on the recording for better or worse although I know there are those who want a system that makes everything sound good.  To each their own. 

I would think one of the VAC Renaissance preamps might just do the trick. Get one with an onboard phono stage and you just might prefer it to your Herron.

Thanks for the responses, and thanks in advance to anybody who wants to chip in. 

@ghdprentice - to me, 'holographic' just means a 3D soundstage where there is perceivable depth to the sound as well as width and height. My current Herron preamp does a great job with that. 

I’d look at the Spatial Audio Raven, Aric Audio Motherload, Backert Rhumba Extreme, and Atmasphere MP-3.  I know Spatial and Backert offer a trial period, which is nice.  Best of luck. 

The new PS Audio PMG Signature preamp is excellent at $9k.  I spent a lot of time listening to one and was very impressed. 

Your choices are within the realm of middle of the road sounding preamps. You want to look at the categories that define what you are looking for:

#1 Burmester. Also dCs and Roland with the right speakers. 

Holographic... immense sound field not bounded by walls or the room. These brands are in a completely different category.