Tube preamp recommendations $3K-$7K range
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-teflon-caps-and-extra-tube-set-2017-11-18-preamplifiers This looks like a pretty sweet deal at the bottom of your price range. No affiliation with the seller. Good luck! |
I had an idea to design a little remote controlled motorized thing that had a wheel with a rubber belt that would go around any volume knob and presto!…all preamps now could be turned up and down remotely. I was going to call it the "Knobulator." Now I don’t care, but maybe I should revisit that…remote mute is also important as my wife always says stuff to me while I’m listening to music and I have to mute or I could miss something important…like "the car is on fire" or "I’m leaving you for Clem." Also, I like Teflon caps as eggs don't stick to them. |
Lots of great input, thanks. Lots of familiar names and some unfamiliar products for me research. @hifiman5 and @1marker: Joe at The Cable Company gives a strong recommendation to Backert Labs as well. Mentioned that he relied on Bob Backert for his CJ maintenance for many years. He also suggested Rogers Hi Fidelity. I'd never heard of them. Their reviews are outstanding but they only make integrateds. @ggc and @hifiman5 : As I am generally satisfied with my system, I'm thinking now along the lines of "tweaking" or "enhancing" my current sound with further mods, rather than swapping out my pre. It's a lesser cost option and I must say I trust John Hillig's ear and his work to date. Along those lines, Musical Concepts offers two additional upgrades to my already tricked-out Hafler DH 110 pre. One upgrade is their MC-3 circuit board mod. This is what their website says about it: From Musical Concepts re the circuit board mod: ...Phono, line stage and four individual power supplies are on board. Preamps with the MC-3 board are often accused of sounding tube-like, vividly three dimensional and very dynamic while retaining a solid bass authority.
The circuit board upgrade requires the OPS-8 external dual mono PSU as well. Musical Concepts on the dual mono external PSU: ...Expect excellent dynamics, low noise, tonal purity, maintenance of distinct instrumental clarity at even high volumes... http://www.musicaldesign.com/MC_Haf_premod.html @hifiman5 : A less costly approach (new circuit board is $800), would be to just add the external PSU to the pre. I agree that the Modwright modded Oppo Sonica with Dan's tube rectified external PSU is magical improvement on the stock Oppo. That said, I've read conflicting reports on the benefits of adding and external PSU to preamps. Any thoughts? Thanks all. |
@cantorgale This is a tough one. I doubt that Musical Concepts can bring your Hafler up to the performance of any of the Backert Labs offerings but if you send the Hafler back to MC I would have them go all the way with the mod. including the outboard power supply That way you'll know you have left no stone unturned. You may be right about the future market for a modded component as I've read that on A'Gon before from others. Personally I don't get it. If I were in the market for used gear I wouldn't have any bias against modified gear. As the buyer you would know that you are getting an optimized design and will pay a fraction of what the owner who modified the piece invested in it. It might be helpful to call and talk to John Hillig to hear what he says about how close in overall sonic quality he can bring your Hafler to some of the better new offerings on the market today. All the best! |
