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SMc Audio VRE preamp anyone?

As the title suggests -- anyone have experience with this McCormack preamp? I used to have a TLC-1, DNA.5 and Mod Squad phono stage set up that has always stayed in memory as a wonderfully musical amplification package. I've moved on (and up, to some extent) and now have a pair of Spectron Monos needing a new (hopefully long-lived, if not final) preamp upgrade. I'm interested in learning more about Steve's ultimate pre-amp from anyone who has heard one.

Thanks
oscar44
tvad
9,467 posts
 
09-18-09: Blindjim
I just saw the SMC pre review. Interesting for sure. how is it superior to the
Llamm pre you had?

It has a lower noise floor, with the result being more detail, and life like
sound. My system with the VRE-1 and XA-60.5 running balanced is the
quietest it's been.

It was exceptionally difficult to decide between the two.

I have never tried the XA-100.5. I'd love to own a pair, but they exceed my
budget.
blindjim
2,837 posts
 

Tvad

"Quietest it's been."

No doubt. Balanced do do that.

tough decision... well that says something too.

I've been toying with the idea of a change in power line devices, but resist losing the tube influence. As you said however, these speaks do better with more power. Not enormously, but surely some... the Odyssey and now Butler have verified that sufficiently enough for me.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The quiet is due to more than just balanced operation. Power supply design. Lack of tubes. Parts quality...

I ran the Lamm balanced, and I ran an ARC Ref3 balanced, and neither was as quiet as the VRE-1 by a significant margin.
blindjim
2,837 posts
 

Congrats.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I had an equally quiet system...Bryston BP-25 + Bryston 14B SST. Solid state and balanced.

That said, I plan to reintroduce tube amps into my system this year, regardless of the added noise.
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