The biggest surprise was when I tried the Tortuga preamp. It has bettered both an Audio Research REF-3 and a Constellation preamp. It uses light dependent resistors for attenuation and has software controlled auto calibration to eliminate impedance drift over time. Most surprising is that it has the best bass performance that I've heard in a preamp. By the way, it also has user selectable input impedance which allows the user to optimize performance of the source device. The balanced version I have is $1800.
What's your "diminishing returns" preamp choice?
What preamp would you consider is at the point of diminishing returns for you? I realize this is a vague and subjective question, but I think it will be interesting to hear the answers.
Of course, a $10,000 preamp will (probably) sound better than a $1,000 preamp but everyone has a different point at which they feel they have spent enough money. In some cases, one may feel that there isn't a significant difference between a $2k piece and a $10k piece to justify such a purchase.
I've noticed that there are some gems in the audio world that defy their price point. For instance, Apogee Centaurs, Halfer 9505 etc. I've always found such pieces fascinating.
Of course, a $10,000 preamp will (probably) sound better than a $1,000 preamp but everyone has a different point at which they feel they have spent enough money. In some cases, one may feel that there isn't a significant difference between a $2k piece and a $10k piece to justify such a purchase.
I've noticed that there are some gems in the audio world that defy their price point. For instance, Apogee Centaurs, Halfer 9505 etc. I've always found such pieces fascinating.
61 responses Add your response
Your putting words into my mouth Ralph. I said if you listen to a passive up full and the level is loud enough for you, you do not miss out on anything, as the transients are not smothered even when they're full up. Passives sound just the same down low as they do up high, so long as the source is not a weak high impedance tube output stage >1kohm Cheers George |
Cost really doesn't have much to do with it- how good it sounds does. Many preamps have a price tag that is not in line with how they sound. I've seen $2000 preamps take $13,000 preamps and eat them for breakfast- better in every way. Yet people will often think the more expensive preamp is better just because of the price. You can make things too simple though; passives generally will eviscerate the bass impact as the math . You really do need a proper preamp if you want to hear everything correctly. The exception is if you can run the passive at full up. Even George agrees with this: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1427794264&openflup&12&4#12 |
Ditto to Timrhu. The best most transparent preamp is no preamp, unless!!! you need to your ear, a "colouration" that nearly all preamps bring to the sound. And then it's particular to your own system and your own ear, no one elses. If you believe that your source amp and speakers have the sound you want to maintain and keep, then a passive preamp or no preamp (if your source has a volume control)is the way to go. Cheers George |
I've tried quite a few preamps in my time, such as Joule Electra LA 150 MK III, BAT VK 30 SE, a Sonic Euphoria transformer-based passive. I decided I again wanted to go back to a tube pre, and I had wanted to build one for some time. So, I bought a Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid kit, using silver hook-up wire, upgraded Goldpoint stepped attenuator (with Bent Audio remote volume control, Clarity Caps output caps, and NOS Amperex 12AU7 tubes), and I enjoy this little preamp more than any of my previous ones. It is dead quiet, with great detail and dynamics. Good performance can be had with little expenditure, and, for me, the DIY aspect adds much enjoyment to this great hobby. Regards, Dan |
It just doesn't work that way IME. The answers you get will be predictable in the sense that folks will generally say that what THEY are currently using is either 1 the best they've heard to date 2. The best for the money that they can afford or are willing to pay 3. The best in THEIR system. Really there are too many variables in listening and music preferences for the answer to ever be anything less than subjective. Recent example, listening to a vintage preamp I acquired lately I prefer to my current tube preamp in many if not all ways and a 4K preamp owned by a friend but the owner of the 4k pre prefers his overall in MY system, not his. In MY system after a while it becomes distracting and even annoying for reasons I can't put my finger on but relating to tonality. He doesn't hear this. So as Ebm points out, who can say for sure? ` |
