1.Kondo M1000 (mkII)
2.Zanden 3000
3.Audio note M8
4.MBL 6010D
5.Boulder 2010
6.First Sound
7.Wavac pr-t1 |
|
My top pre-amps are in the order as follows:-
1. CAT SL-1 MKII (currently using)
2. Hovland HP-100 (also currently using)
3. Herron VTSP-1A/166
4. VAC CPA-1 MKII
5. Joule Electra LA-100 MKIII |
|
|
TRON Syren - another vote for a top preamp from a top boutique UK tube designer, Graham Tricker.
Charlie |
My favorites of the 30-40 preamps I have heard thus far are:
Kondo M1000 mk2 and I am sure the other two are nice as well
New Audio Frontiers Absolute mk2
ARC Reference 3
Ayon Spheris
There are some others I have ehard that are really nice, but not quite my cup of tea.
Others I want to hear that I feel would become favorites once heard:
Shindo Giscours and the like
Tron Syren
Allnic Audio L-4000
"The Messenger"
CAT Legend
VTL 7.5 mk2
Einstein "The Tube"
CJ Art 3
Wyetech Opal |
1. Shindo Giscours
2. Shindo Masseto
3. Tron Syren (although phono stage is even better) |
Second the Atma-Sphere MP-1. Detail, imaging, sound-staging, musicality are awesome. When matched with an AS amp, even better. Not cheap, but worth it. |
Atma-Sphere MP-1 differentially balanced line stage/phono stage. The 6SN7-based LS is fantastic. The 12AT7-based phono section beats my BAT P10, but is too noisy for cartridges with less than .5mv gain. When taken together as an integrated preamp the unit is great value at $10K. |
|
I have owned more than 5 preamps in the $5-7k range ,and the Dodd Audio -DC powered preamplifier is for sure the quietest with the best microdynamics I have heard at under 10k.The 6922 vacuum tubes used I installed mid 60s Phillips mini watts.Very natural sounding with layering side to side and front to back that is spooky .for the record .No preamp in the world even comes close at the very low price of $3300, and for overall musicality will easilly compete with any preamp in the 10k catagory ,it is that good -Yes even in the mid and lower bass.
All new units are running 4 Gel batterys in series for unlimited current on demand.
p.s The solid wood cabinet puts to shame any 10k preamp on the market the workmanship is superb! |
ConradJohson/art/16LS/17LS/Premer10 All Audio Research REF & LS26/LS25 only MK1 & the SP-10
ALL VAC Renaissance/CAT/Jadis. |
I cannot believe that I am the only one to list the VAC Renaissance as the all-round BEST SOUNDING tube pre I have ever used. Top that sound quality off with an included remote, cinema by-pass, dual RCA outputs AND XLR out, 100k Ohm input impedence and 96 ohm output impedence, and an optional phono stage to die for, even with very low output MC cartridges. Oh yeah - one more thing - VAC utilizes the tubes so effectively that the casework of the pre-amp does not need to have vent holes in it and tube life is incredibly long. |
Dodd audio latest battery power with amperex pinchwaist usa 1950's is WORLD CLASS..... |
Wyetech Opal now, Hovland HP-100, C-J PF-R then.
Neal |
Tron Syren
UK built masterpeice. |
Select any 10 ARC Ref 3's and they all will be in the top 10... (:-) |
Audio Note M10
Audio Note M8
Audio Note M6
Audio Note M3
Conrad Johnson ART
Mcintosh C2200
Mcintosh C22 (discontinued)
Audio Research SP11
Audio Research REF 3
Audio Research LS26 |
Audio Research Ref 1
Audio Research Ref2 Mk2
Audio Research Ref3 |
|
lamm is better in the amp dept,CAT is the way to go un less you have twice the budget and can really move up the up the line... |
Really interesting unit is Lamm |
CAT Sl-1, First Sound Presence Deluxe, Emotive Audio, Herron, Ayre K1x, Wyetech Opal and Dartzeel NHB-18NS are seven must-listen choices if you are looking to buy the best for your needs and tastes. |
CAT, Jadis JPL, Audio Research Ref, Manley Wave, Audible Illusions Mod3, Atmasphere, Joule Elektra, Supratek, Aesthetix Callipso. |
Herron VTSP-2
Aesthetix Calypso
The Audio Horizons 2.0nb mentioned above is very nice
Dodd Reference (and his new battery)
Thor (I think it was the 2000)
and the one I bought - VAC Renaissance Sig MKII
those a re a few of the ones I've heard that I really liked... |
I second the Melody - absolutely delighted with it - lush, musical, good detail. Excellent. |
Thansk Sutts, I can understand your pert comment better than 6 moons wind-y and winded review. The photos that 6 Moons provides of the guts looks pretty clean and neato. I always like to see the innerards of a unit. |
I had the original version of the Melody 1688- very rich, organic; full sounding preamp. |
Melody SHW1688 has a massive 50 lb active pre amp. I just looked over the 6 Moons review but really couldn't translate some parts, abit over my understanding. Silversurfer has a post of it few weeks ago and waiting on stereophile to posta review of his new purchase.
Anyone heard it? |
Audio Horizons TP 2.0 nB version.Dollar for dollar it will trump anything out there.Check out their 30 day free home audition.Believe in what your ears say not hearsay. |
|
|
Audio Research Ref3
I have and is Excellent |
Conrad Johson PV-11
Conrad Johson PV-9a Especially sweet
Conrad Johson PV-5
CAT Signature SL1
Jadis (cant remember the model but all sound incredible) |
Well, leaving it to preamps I've listened to:
Deja Vu Audio Custom Tube Preamps- various
Manley 300B Preamp
Air Tight ATC-1
Herron VTSP-1A
Supratek Syrah
I can only do a top five and they're not all linestages, sorry. |
Eastern Electric Mini Max |
