@vthokie83 I have failed to find D. U. C. C as a Wire Only.
I have found a 7N Stress Free Wire but was not convinced it was D. U. C. C.
I also once found a PC Triple C Wire as a Single 0.08mm.
Coil Winding on a MC is typically 0.03mm
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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if you are using TMR with some credit and cash, then do not hesitate to watch the Viola Labs Cresendo they have keep dropping in price and snag it. It already represents a great value at the current price which is 1500 down from where it started months and months ago and is less than 25 cents on the dollar vs retail. it might seem daunting to get it set up properly but I can assist there with the correct config file for the sn of that unit and the correct software. You would also need to grab an old 2.4G router to get it connected to the app for control. Not sure if that ipod included still works but if so, awesome, but I just use my phone. As for the sound...it is beyond spectacular. Truly. |
@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. |
@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. |
@livin_262002 - thanks for your suggestion; I just researched it and that is in my price range, and my local dealer even carries Octave Audio, but not that model. It's certainly something I'll keep in mind for the future; they sure seem to have some great gear.... |
@larsman Thanks for the tubes. |
@daveyf @soix - I've been doing some serious research on Aric's gear and I think I would really like something of his. I note that on the page with the Super 6SN7 preamp, it shows a remote that does have a Mute button. That preamp would also fit into my space better as a one box unit. But I'll ask him if the other preamps can be muted like that. That Transcend push-pull amp looks mighty tasty for the price, too. |
@grannyring it's hard to beat a well designed DHT preamp. |
The volume control unit in Aric's preamps are from Khozmo and that looks like one of the cheaper and simpler models available from Khozmo. You might want to look on their website and see the other versions available and ask for one of those. Don Sachs used a model with volume, mute, input selection and display control in a $2800 preamp. Remote is the same just with more functions. |
@jackd - Thanks for letting me know about Khozmo - I will check them out. I ended up buying a 2nd hand Super 6sN7 on USAM, from somebody who sold it because he needed a pre with balanced XLR outputs for a new amp; this would be good for me as it takes up less space than the 2 box Motherlode models and it comes with a remote with volume and mute. |
larsman Congrats on the Super 6SN7 preamp.....I'd love to hear your experience when you have some time on it. I own Aric's Motherlode XL and Transcend "Push Pull" EL34 (with several upgrades including tubes), and those are end game for me. I will add a second preamp and another amp at some point, but those two are staying. I'd speak with Aric if you have any questions on the Khozmo controller, he's very accessable |
@vthokie83 - thanks! It should be showing up within the next few hours. Aric and I have already been in communication, as I wanted to get his take on tube upgrades (do you have any suggestions? I've gotten some from Aric and from Brent Jessee) and to let him know that I'll likely be buying a Transcent Push-Pull; he suggested for my purposes and gear basing it around the Tung-Sol KT-170 tubes. So if you've got any advice for me concerning tube compliment or anything else about Transcend, I'd really appreciate hearing it! |
@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 |
Thanks for that, @tksteingraber ! |