Used tube preamps, Cary, AR, Aesthetix, Wells...........or?
Having searched over the last year or so for a different preamp, I have been attracted to the Cary SLP 98 more times than not but I know it has many different incarnations and this seems to be important. The one I put an offer on is 8 years old and no upgrades are known. No real idea how this compares with others. The deal is by no means a lock. They have plenty of others that I would consider.
I have also found an AR Reference Mk II. It is 10 years old so not sure if that is good or bad but I'm sure it would be one that I would enjoy. It has a choice of xlr and rca for every connection. Only one I know of like this, at least in my searches. It is also designed to drive two amps, so is the Cary but the Cary is only set up this way with rca connections. I have never used balanced circuitry even though I've had it as an option. Most of what I've read says that you gain 6 db in gain. Is that the only advantage or is that even an advantage? I for one, do not know.
I have also found Aesthetix, both Rhea and Calypso. The Rhea is more in my price range but used, either is a possibility. They get mentioned here and there. Not sure what to think.
Another find is a Wells Audio Commander Level 2 Class? 2. No idea on these. Not heard anyone speak on them.
Yet another has been the Dodd, battery powered unit. Haven't heard much but the ones who have them, say their search is over. Interesting. Happy to hear from anyone with any experience on these or others. I know there are tons to choose from but many are difficult to find as well.
I bought several different preamps that were supposed to be "bargain finds" but none lived up to the one I'm trying to replace. If I'd been smart, I would have been more patient and put all my eggs in one basket instead of fooling around with all the others. It has been an interesting journey, just the same and I now have several pieces to sell or trade. Not necessarily a good thing but as I say, it's been an interesting journey and I have more to go. Thanks for any and all input.
Bill
owned the SLP98 with phono for several years and loved it, eventually bought the PH302 separate phono stage and had Cary mod it to the mk II version including an external power supply (standard on their latest phono pre) sold the SLP98 in favor of a First Sound tube dual mono pre with twin external power supplies and never looked back for many the lack of a remote on the First Sound could be a deterrent, but the sound quality is excellent in all aspects |
Thanks guys I think about the Aesthetix and tube rolling. Someone made a case that the cover was held by velcro, can't remember who. Have to settle on what I like at some point, not such an easy swap out. Cary's are nice for that reason but they also sound very damn good. My PH301 has external power supply and slave cable. It seems that there is a lot to be said for such things. The 05 has external PS that is different, as large as the preamp (case anyway). Don't find many negative comments about any of these components that have been discussed. Thanks for all. Fun stuff.
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Pros/Cons to each of these different setups. I find it truly depends on the type of sound you are going for. CJ, Cary, ARC, Pass, Aesthetic, and more... A colleague has Harbeth 40.2s he paired ups with his CJ 6550 Monos and a CJ GAT preamp. He then bought my upgraded Cary V12R, sold his older SLP-98 preamp, and went out and bought the latest Cary SLP-98 like I have, he added Mundorf caps, and compared for a while. He likes both systems for different reasons when paired with his Harbeth speakers. He also has B&W Speakers that he moved his CJ gear to,. and it worked well for him there. The Cary gear was paired up with the Harbeth speakers for a while, and I went and listened to it back and forth between the Cary and CJ gear. Each system, CJ or Cary had its own type of sound. One was more open and velvety, other a bit more laid back and smooth. He then took my former upgraded Cary V12R and tried it with these high $ ribbon speakers, https://alsyvox.com, and he and his buddy could not believe the sound compared to other gear at 5x the price. Why? [synergy, matching, different type of sound - maybe]. Perhaps it was just a new/different presentation to hear. I put more credibility to "matching" now days than anything else. Amp A or B might sound better with different speakers, each in their own way. What it comes down to as my audio buddy drills into my head, "it all comes down to your preference", "whatever you like" is what matters most. Preference varies a lot between many of my own friends and audio-buddy colleagues, fwiw. |
