Preamp Deal of the Century

Ecclectique - I don't have the grange. My cabernet doesn't use the px4 or 300b. But comparing the linestage section between the Mick's upper and mid-line preamps I am certain that the grange will easily best the cortese. Mick can easily put the 6j5 in place of the 6sn7 if that is what you prefer. Basically all the nos tubes you currently use for the cortese can also be used in the grange with the addition of the px4 or 300b.

I have spent some time with some very fine systems including one all-tube system with vinyl front-end and total system cost exceeding $200k USD. My humble system with a SS poweramp has more tone than any system that I have ever heard including the one I just mentioned. The cabernet is what puts me over the top.

Hi Jazzdude. Thank you for your prompt response. I have little doubt the line of the Grange will best the cortese with the same single triodes in it for line gain. But is the cost of going that route really justifiable? If I do order one it will definately be wired to accomodate a pair of single triode octals per channel as opposed to the dual triode 6sn7.I can always rewire the sockets to accomodate the 6sn7's anyway.The delema here is: My main rig is voiced primarily for vinyl playback as I rarely listen to digital in that system, thus my apprehension in regards to going to the grange. I would have to sell either the cortese or the syrah to do so. I am leaning toward selling the syrah at this point as I will move the cortese into my second system to replace the syrah if finances permit. My cortese is just incredible with the 7193 in it!!! however the influence of the line gain is negligable at best when using the phono stage of the cortese anyway... thus my anxiety here.Anybody in the Golden Horseshoe of Ontario with the grange or cabernet?

PS: Jpms. You are a true gentleman sir! I sincerely appreciated your email today, thanks again. cheers David

David:
[/Have you spent much seat time with the preamp in the low gain setting?]
Yes, I did but found that the sound was weaker, more backward and image lacked substance compared with the high gain setting. **sigh ** I wrote to Mick about it and he said it had to do with my power amp. I'm saving up for a Antique Sound Lab (either a Hurricane or AQ-1009) - heard them few weeks ago and fell in love with the live music they made!
Cheers Edmund

Hi Edmund. The ASL 1009's are fabulous amps for the money.