The future of preamps

@ Atmasphere, Hi, If your preamp M-1 is direct coupled, what do you use to safe guard from DC exsposure if I attempted to use your product with the krell 700cx?

I've only use tube preamps (Sonic Frontier, AI, CJ, VAC ...) with all my Krells amps (KSA100s, FPB300 and FPB600) in the past and never had a problem.

Don't like Krell pre and can't remember last time own a SS pre.

Did you use your Light speed preamp with the Krells? Seems like it would be a suitable match .

No Charles. The Krells were long gone before the Lightspeed.

When it comes to impedance matching, sometimes theory <> practice. ie: On paper, McIntosh C2200 is a good match but was horrible with FBP600. No bass, highs, dynamics ... just lifeless!

I did try Lightspeed with TRL Samson monos. Samson input impedance 69K, 1M ASI Liveline IC, MW Transporter so excellent match but I didn't like the sound compare to my active.

To be fair, a MP of 60's Siemens Cca or 60's Tele e88cc in my active is more expensive but overall sound quality is more important than value to me.

Audiolabyrinth, LOL! If you're considering a tube pre in this price range, also checkout VAC SigMKIIa. LOL! It's only takes 2 e88cc/6922/7308 so easy to roll, very sensitive to tube rolling so you can dial in the sound you desire LOL! LOL!, it can drive any amp you will ever consider LOL! and it sounds excellent! LOL! LOL! LOL!

There's also a pair of 12au7s that's only for tape and SHOULD NOT effect line stage according to Kevin but it does to my ears. LOL! LOL! So you might or might not have to roll the 12au7s. LOL!

Arthur is a man with opinions like all of us. It is strange all of the products he says are the best of the best are Coincident. Is this just a coincidence for Coincident? Highly unlikely in all honesty folks. At the minimum, it simply reflects his sole experience and preferences. At minimum.

With the WWW, anybody can be a professional reviewer so caveat emptor. People will naturally gravitate to reviewers that prefer their products for purchase decision reinforcement and info.

Audiolabyrinth, if you are interested a TRL Dude pre for your Krell, contact Doug (Booboobaer). He has experiences driving his Krell mono amps with a Dude.

If you have it in writting in your manual or other wise that your preamp will not emit Dc at all, its all good to protect my investment!

Audiolabyrinth, I suggest hiring a team of lawyers to review the manual and getting it in writing. LOL!

I've used tube pre with ss amps for years and never had a problem. These are not your grandfather's tube pre. LOL!

So far no one has pointed out the obvious so maybe it does not need saying, but a review of this thread and several others leads one to believe that George is "defending his turf" by talking trash about competitive active pre-amps.

Maybe it's not obvious that George is "defending his turf" so no one has pointed it out. Just 2 designers disagree on principles in building a preamp and is getting personal.

Audiolabyrinth, I doubt you will have problems with Atma-Sphere MP-1 driving your Krell. Still hesitant, a great alternative is SMC Audio VRE-1C. It's SS and competes with the very best tube pre. Send me PM for more details if interested.