2. amps-preamps
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Can anyone help me to decide which pre-amp is better ?

I am slowly tried to build my audio with home threater system with the following equipments:

1- Aerial 10T and CC3 for speaker
2- Lexicon N512 and MC-1 for home threater
3- VPI HW19 for tuntable
4- All cardas cable for interconnect.

My next project will be expanded the system to tube pre-amp and possible amp. The first step will try to buy tube pre-amp connect to my LEXICON/BRYSTON NT-512. I am in the process of thinking to buy my next pre-amp as: Cary SLP98/PH301, Audio research LS16/PH3, CAT SL-1 sigature, BAT-5i, Havland, or Audio Illusion M3A? Did anyone have suggestions?

Many tahnks in advanced.

classical_man
belfran's avatar
belfran
22 posts
 
The Joule Electra LA-100 MKIII will blow all of the tube amps mentioned away. The VAC Standard would be a close 2nd.
Try the Blue Circle BC21 if you have a small budget.
john_l
782 posts
 
I use the vk-5i with the ph-3. Wonderful, warm sounding system. I think the vk-5i is actually in the league of the ARC ref1 sonically - I think it may sound a little better (they're different - you need to decide). I've owned both. I was unimpressed with the LS16 and LS12. It think adcom 750's put them to shame to be quite honest

I have heard that CAT's are a little finicky and very dependent on the tubes that you use with them.

I tried an AA 3A and didn't like it. More for ergonomics that anything else. No remote, and the volume steps are way too coarse. This may not matter to you. It sounded pretty good, but I think the BAT and upper shelf ARC stuff are the best I've heard.

A great preamp/phono combo you should look into is the vk-30SE w/phono stage. I borrowed one from a friend and was very impressed with it. Very transparent and quick.
jdc1114
19 posts
 
I owned a CAT for many years before resigning myself to solid state. It was a fantastic preamp. I upgraded from the original signature to MK II and later MK III. All 3 versions were wonderful. I also owned an Audible Illusions Model 3. A good preamp but not in the same league as the CAT. The CAT is not the last word in its resolution of detail but it throws a huge soundstage (blows away my current Spectral DMC20 II) and is wonderfully musical.
tebecker
25 posts
 
I have a BAT VK-5i and Just Love it. It was MY 1st Venture into the Treaky Tube World, Money Well Spent. I Can't speak about the others, I Haven't Heard them, but the BAT is a Class A (Legendary) Pre-Amp. I got mine on AUDIOGON at a Good $. The VK-5i CAN be upgraded to the 50se Level for about $ 2000.00. The VK50se is 1 of the Best Pre-amp available. Try doing some side-by-side Comparisons (use your EARS and the Specs). Good Luck!
steveaudio
331 posts
 
To the BAT VK-5i fans: were some of them available with a built in phono stage? Thanks.
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