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Specific Pre-Amp advice


I would really like to get some help from the Forum. Late 2017 early 2018 I am getting a new pre-amp. My options to hear gear are low (common issue). Probably be buying blind which I have done in the past in conjunction with research. Here is the run down. 

Budget: 2500 possibly pushed to 3k. Looking for used gear (pretty much ruling out new).

1. I am leaning heavily toward a tube pre.
2. I would like a remote but its not a deal breaker if it gets me better SQ
3. Line stage only. Don't really need a phono stage as I have a stand alone
4. It needs to be active. 
5. Feeding SS amp with 100k input impedance 
6. Primary used with Vinyl front end. Would like it to handle three sources. (Radio, Dac/CD and Input for TT)
7. 2 channel only no pass through needed or wanted. 
8. Single Ended RCA Connection. My amp does not have true balance connections 

Current System 

VPI Prime 
SS Aida Cart
MS Nova Phomoma 
Exposure 17
Exposure Dual Reg 4
Vienna Acoustic Mozart Grands 

I am looking to get more resolution. A more liquid sound. Bigger soundstage and get more of the recording space into my room. 

My preference is for an open/transparent neutral sound slightly tipped to the warm side in the highs. Slight roll off maybe. I like a fast quick musical sound with tight quick bass. Not looking for tube romance or rounded bass. I absolutely would like to stay away from bright sounding gear. Also super etched is not to my thing. I fall in the musicality camp. 

Any suggestions that would help me achieve this sound would be appreciated. These qualities defiantly take system matching into account. Pretty happy right now but I think I can do better.



darkstar1
darkstar1 OP
180 posts
 

Micatel
 
Do you find BAT warm moving from your SS state gear. Everything I read in marketing always states how warm the gear is. 


micatel
6 posts
 
The ARC gear I had was much warmer sounding than the ss pre's.  The BAT I have is very neutral since changing interconnects to the amp (the mids were actually slightly forward with the cables I had been using for the ARC gear).  I can understand how some describe BAT as warm since it never seems to "strain" regardless of volume (great headroom).  

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
976 posts
 
Dark: I enjoyed my time with both the Modwright (LS100 and 36.5) and ARC (SP16, LS26) preamps but for me the Herron had a better mix of features and sonic attributes. The sound of the Herron is very clean yet musical. Not at all colored, sterile or smeared. It is the quietest linestage I've ever used, has some very useful features yet is very simple and reliable in operation. It never inserts itself but rather allows the essence of what makes music enjoyable to come through in a very emotionally engaging manner. With regard to the LTA equipment, I would not venture any type of comparison since I did not hear it in my own system/room. I am very reluctant to make any kind of specific claims about a piece of equipment unless I try it for an extended period of time in my own system/room or in a system/room with which I am very familiar. That said, the LTA gear has unique design characteristics that merit consideration and Mark and the folks at Urban HiFi are stand up gentlemen who are very passionate about bringing David Berning's work to a broader market. If you are serious, they may let you try a linestage at home so you can see for yourself how it sounds. Best....
pops
1,847 posts
 
Check out Dehavilland, both the Mercury and Ultraverve.   Lots of reviews and information.   Lots of tube rolling opportunities with the 6SN7 with the UV.  

darkstar1 OP
180 posts
 
dogealum

Thank you for your additional input. I understand why you can't say more on the LTA in comparison. 

Thanks Again
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