Replace C28 with... ?
Hmmm... So, then if anything high-end that I could afford will be older and would need a $300-ish recap job, there’s some question about whether or not I should be looking at tube units so I could (theoretically) replace them more easily and even experiment with different tubes to change the characteristics to ’tweak’ the unit. Still on the fence. Cripes. Maybe I’ll just keep the C28 and buy some good Scotch instead. Let me re-frame the question. Given the preamps I listed above (there's also a very nice Threshold FET1 available...), what sort of improvements do you guys think could I expect over the current C28? I have an idea of what I *hope* to hear, but would like to hear your opinions on what changes I can look forward to. |
I did something similar a few months ago. I purchased a KRC-3 from eBay in March for roughly $1100 and spent less than $100 for 4 new Neutrik XLRs, 54 Nichicon Muse and ES Audio capacitors from Mouser. The Nichicons are actually an upgrade for this already fine line stage preamp. The orginal KRC-3 cost was $3,000 at introduction and had climbed to $4k by the time it was discontinued. The best way I can describe the "sound" of it is that it has little sound of its own. If the source material has gobs of depth then that is what I hear. The KRC-3 is feeding a McIntosh MC352 amp which powers Martin Logan Prodigy speakers. A lot of my stuff is used because I want a certain quality but honestly I cannot afford these items new. I built my own PH-16 tube phono stage from Tube4Hifi.com and heavily upgraded it while building it. The PH tube sound is liquid and GLORIOUS!!! It sounds like music. The BAT VK3 preamp was on my short list as well. I run Balanced connects from my DAC (Gustard X20u + Xingster SU-1 DCC). I also am cabled with XLRs to the amp as well. I really wanted a McIntosh C2300 or C2500 but once again...budget. I also looked into passive preamps but few ever showed up used and the cost new for a good one in the $2k-$4k range. http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af10/MHzTweaker/KRC-3%20Recap.jpghttp:// http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af10/MHzTweaker/June%2020%20%202016.jpg |
I was just about to click in here when mhztweaker posted the above. Like him, I want a certain experience, but can't afford it new, so I have to look at (very) pre-owned equipment. Just pulled the trigger on a KRC-3. It's the earlier style with the more 'industrial' less streamlined faceplate, but the innards ought to be the same. After all of this, I can only hope that a near 40 year-old C28 will be outperformed by a 20 year-old KRC-3. Per the suggestion by auxinput, I might try to recap the unit, though that will have to wait until I can afford to do so. Thanks to all for the very insightful input, it's been quite helpful! |
