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Best tubed full-function preamp with remote

Until a few days ago I was a happy user of a McIntosh C220 mainly due to its switching capabilities and its unobtrusiveness (I am extremely sensitive to sibilance). Recently I bought an Audible Illusion Modulus 3B for my secondary system and it bettered my McIntosh significantly. More colours, more dynamics more life-like presentation and still no sibilance.

Because of use in a home theatre setting I need a remote (minimally with volume control). So what I now need is a full function (MC-able) tubed preamp with remote. Models that come to mind are ModWright LS100, Ear 868, Aethetix Janus, McIntosh 2300, Hovland 200 other?? I would prefer a one box design and 2nd hand price not more than 4200.00.- $.

Analog front end: VPI Super Scoutmaster with a Denon 103R; Digital front ends: OPPO 95 with Modwright tube modification and PC with JRIVER and Wyred-4-Sound Dac2. Speakers are Gallo Ref 3.5 driven by a Cayin 9021, V211 based SET amp plus a Gallo subamp.

Any opinions or options that I missed????
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atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Hanshhh, FWIW the Atma-Sphere preamps can be optionally set up with single-ended inputs and outputs. They are not built that way initially to try to encourage the user to set things up right- balanced cables done right do sound better than single ended for a variety of reasons.
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podeschi
301 posts
 
Atma-Sphere is bullet proof as well. Havent heard phono section but i know some audiophiles who bought their preamp just for the phono section.
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rfogel8
192 posts
 
I've had an MP-1 w/phono for a few years now and would recommend it to anyone seeking the "best" in a tube preamp.

Heard it a while back with a friend's single ended Coincident Frankenstein monos and the combo was sensational.
hanshhh's avatar
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hanshhh OP
12 posts
 
I see that Atma-Sphere gets a lot of support here thanks for suggestion. I will try to get an audition.
bondmanp
1,465 posts
 
Just a few thoughts.

I own a C220, which replaced a C-J PV11. For my amplifier, the C220 is a much better match, and I am quite pleased with it. That said, a McIntosh rep told me recently that there is little sonic difference between the line stages of the C220 and the C2300. Yes, the phono stage can do MC, and is highly adjustable, but otherwise, the circuits are the same (although you get the cool blue meters with the C2300).

Also, I upgraded the tubes on the C220 to Mullard reissue 12Ax7s, and everything got better - lower noise, more refined treble, etc.

It's hard to live without the ease of use that McIntosh provides once you're used to it!
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