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????
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xhanshhh
Shakedown, yes! I started in the Modwright realm with a SWL9.0SE, then sold it and went to the SWL9.0SE Signature.

In both units, I used a Mullard 5AR4 and it was a BIG improvement. Also, if you haven't tried yet, swap out the 5687's for a pair of Amperex Holland 7119's.
Mofi...Look to be a few versions/makers/year of the Mullard....any particular version/maker/year I should consider or steer clear of..

Thanks

And yes...I got a pair of the Amperex...nice as well, but it seems my preference was the tung sol 5687s due to my setup...you have sparked my curiosity on the rectifier tube now...
Looks as if I should seriously consider not only to replace all tubes related to the signal pathway (which I did) but also relatd to rectification. Not everybody agrees that this is necessary...??? It is certainly worth experiemnting - and it lookd as if the Mullard NOS are the measure of all things. Any opinions on that.....
I would like to thank all contributours to this thread. It has helped me with my decision. I finally settled for a ModWright LS 100 which is now installed in my system. I have replaced the stock tubes by apropriate NOS tubes and the preamp is currently burning in. Still, the changes to the sound of my system are clearly identifiable. The C220 has a more relaxed sound, a bit more distant, a somewhat more damped concert hall. The ModWright commands more attention, is a bit more resolving and seats me closer to the performance. Bass perfectly sculptured sweet mids and some more punch in the highs. The cymbals stand out more but have nothing hard or edgy to it. On the downside, the C220 has the better ergonomics and lets you play with your system - in particular comparing music played from different sources i.e. the same track from vinyl to CD to hogh-res download adjusting levels etc on the fly. But as listening to music is the ultimate goal of my system, I guess I am better off now.

Thanks again to all that helped.
Hanshhh...if you bought the LS100 new, it really takes about 400-500 hours to fully break-in. It will open up even more, once broken in.

Congrats on your new preamp. I've had mine for about 18 months now and everyday it still surprises me.