2. amps-preamps
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Tube Preamplifier Time

First of all I'd like to say thanks to all you guys that contribute and share opinions on hi-fi gear as well as all the wonderfull music you've listened to. My musical tastes are all over the map including progressive rock, experimental & classic jazz, and I've just recently ventured into the wide world of clasical. I cant quite explain it but the mood that the latter style mentioned puts me in is completely different than that of any other musical enjoyment I've experienced. My setup currently consists of a pair of Thiel CS2.4 spks, Krell
KAV-A150a amplifier, Rotel RCD-1072, and a Marantz AV-550 preamp/processor all in a dedicated room w/9x10X11ft. dimensions. I guess the question that I have is what would you consider replacing the preamp with in a system like this that I've put together? I think that currently it plays to great enjoyment for my ears but have heard tubed preamps and no doubt want the company. Upon listening to a few models more than a year ago with no cash to purchase at the time I decided for example that the VTL5.5 was more up my alley than say a CarySL98(I believe that's the model) due to how warm the cary sounded. I would prefer to keep the cost below 3K if at all possible

Thanks ahead, Chris

velocityofhue
velocityofhue OP
179 posts
 
Preamp has come back from service after $350 in bills from VTL. Considering I'm very happy with how it sounds with the rest of the system I can say in addition with the $900 I paid used before it acted up I'm still feeling ok, The time lost while it was away seemed more painfull which brings me to a question I have for you out there listening. Should I protect my ac power with a line conditioner? I dont exactly know what caused the power transformer in the preamp to blow but I am suspect that it might have been something to do with the power.

I live in a nyc apartment where lights are always dimming, When the fridge kicks, electric heater is turned on and such. All my other components have been ok plugged into the wall sockets for at least a couple of yrs. now with nothing to worry about. Anybody with experience, reccomendations or ideas would be very appreciated.

Chris
nolitan
865 posts
 
I tried a Modwright 9 with the Kav 300i (used as power amp)-- the sound is actually very good!!!
tecnofossil
2 posts
 
How about the Bruce Rozenblit "Grounded Grid Preamp" which is available as a kit or assembled. Far below your 3K limit. It has pretty sparten features so depending on your needs it may not be right for you.

www.transcendentsound.com/preamp%20kit.htm

-T
velocityofhue OP
179 posts
 
Thanks for the ideas guys. I am really in the market now for a conditioner of some sort being that my cd player started skipping on any disk I put in after adjusting the light dimmer control in the same room. The next morning it worked just fine so go figure? I believe the house may be wired funky and have unplugged all stereo components until further protection. Is the Shunyata or Nordost products any count? Dollar bills I know they cost alot of
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,419 posts
 
Velocityofhue, I doubt that power conditioner will solve the skipping problem. It could be that the remote sensor on the unit itself reacting to light changes in the room and screwing up the playback. Try covering the sensor(or all of them on every component) with a piece of tape or something else and then see if it skips.

I use Shunyata Hydra4 and it's pretty good. Lowers the noise floor and makes the backgrounds quieter.
You can even plug your amp there as well, but with the amp, you should try it direct into wall and then into conditioner to compare and see if that's better for the amp.
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