I would like to replace my Counterpoint SA-1000 preamp of which I am the original owner. I have never been satisfied with it. I bought it as a replacement for a Hafler DH-100 pre that I bought to go with a Hafler DH-220 amp. (I still like the amp, more so after I recapped it and upgraded a few parts.) I did a total recap of the Counterpoint and replaced some of the rca jacks, along with a few other small things, but still find it to sound congested and dull. In my opinion, it didn’t live up to the positive reviews that it received when it was released, but it served well in a secondary system. My primary system makes use of an Aragon 24k preamp and 4004 amp which I find to be an acceptable level of performance. I am using all digital sources at the moment, a JVC XL-Z1050 cd player or MacBook Pro through a Weiss DAC204. The speakers are B&W Cm1/CM2. Yes, with the exception of the DAC, it is all from around the same vintage. You might be able to guess, but I have chosen components which produce a clean and crisp sound. I am at the point that I would like to experiment with a completely different sound in the form of an old school, or near old school, tube preamp.
I have been doing as much research as I can, including many thoughts from the Audiogon community, and have narrowed my choices down to the following few that are available right now, but open to other suggestions as I’m not in any rush. I’m not a super-critical listener, but I have music training and experience, so I know what instruments and performances sound like live. My budget is $2,000 or less plus trade value for the Counterpoint, and my goals are to get something that sounds obviously like a tube component. I would like to equal or exceed the performance of the 24k in case I like the tubes better. A phono stage is not required, but welcome. I don’t like designs that have exposed tubes or showy facades (McIntosh, Zesto, PrimaLuna, etc). I would like to get some guidance from the forum members.
Conrad-Johnson PV 5, PV 10, PV 11, or other
Audible Illusions Modulus L3 or M3
Cary SLP-70
VAC Standard LE
Joule Electra LA-150 (in spite of the fact that they are out of business)
Audio Research (although I can’t decipher which model to consider - LS7, LS17, LS25?)
If I choose something newer, perhaps Quicksilver, AVA, Modwright, or Brown Audio Lab, but these might not sound ad "tubey" as the older units.
I understand that the older preamps might require some amount of rehabilitation, some of which I can do. Nothing is a sure bet, but I would appreciate your input.
Thanks for any input, and best wishes!
