2. amps-preamps
  3. 1165109812

Upgrading Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE to ???

Have owned the unit a few years now, think it's time to upgrade to something better. I am happy with the midrange, top end, soundstage, transparency and all are important to me. One area I think I can use more is bass weight and dynamic, but don't want to lose any of the strength. Also like to have both SE & XLR input/output.

Have considered the following:

BAT VK-51SE
Aesthetix Calypso
ARC Ref 2 Mk II
???

Rest of my system is in flux, but what will stay is BAT VK-75SE, SF Amati Homage, VPI SSM Signature w/ Shelter 901.

I might add a solid state amp like Pass XA or X.5 series and still keep the tube amp, might upgrade my SF Phono 1SE to something else as well if I change my pre.
semi

Showing 3 responses by semi

semi OP
649 posts
 
Forgot to mention I run a 5 meter long XLR interconnect between pre and power, I do know some pre does not like long IC.
semi OP
649 posts
 
I did bring my Line 3SE to a friend's house for A/B in the past, his ARC Ref 2 Mk II outgun my Line 3SE on bass weight and dynamic for sure. I later found out the 6GH8 was worn and replaced them, that restored some of the dynamic but 6H30 pre (ARC Ref 2 Mk II or BAT 51SE) do have an edge on dynamic from what I read/heard.

Currently I have Sylvania 6GH8, Siemen 6922, and Sovtek 6H23 in buffer. I have plenty of Valvo and Tunsgram to put in buffer after 6H23 are worn. What will be a good choice for driver without costing a fortune. Don't have $500 to spend on a pair of pinch waist, but can swing $250 for a pair good tubes if that will improves the bass.

I tried many amps in the past, but only BAT 75SE gave me the goosebump I was looking for. For sure 75SE does not have solid state like bass and that's the reason of 2nd amp like Pass, but I like the amp enough I am willing to search for a new pre to go with it.
semi OP
649 posts
 
thanks for the great suggestions.

I have not experimented with tube rolling much in buffer stage, has been running 6H23 since day one. For the driver stage, maybe it was the system and room, different type of tubes produce more difference in midrange and up but not a whole lot of difference in bass. That's why I came to the conclusion maybe SF L-3SE just does not have the bass weight I am looking for.

I should have borrowed the ARC Ref 2 II from my friend, but I did hear a highly modified LS-25 Mk II in my system and it did not produce any more bass than my L-3SE.

One of the reason I haven't pulled the trigger on BAT 51SE is the "dark" nature and bipolar user feedbacks. Some, inlcuding Stereophile review, thought 51SE was on the dark side of spectrum. Some people did not care for 51SE's sound at all which is very troublesome when you are about to spend that much money for a pre amp. Like to hear more opinion about 51SE from users that have compared it to others.
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