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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
 
Mrpaul made an excellent observation about tonal balance. The VRE-1 is
exceptionally well balanced. It displays the best tonal balance of any preamp I
have owned or auditioned including First Sound Presence Deluxe II, Bryston BP-
25, Supratek Cortese, Audio Horizons TP2.1 balanced, Modwright 9.0SWL,
Lamm LL2 Deluxe, Lamm L2 Reference, ARC Ref 3.

Mrpaul, thanks for posting your amp and speakers. Yours is a direction I may be
heading in the coming months.
stevemcx
159 posts
 
Hi Oscar -

I just want to point-out that there is an owner review of the VRE-1 posted in the Reviews section here on Audiogon. Here is the link:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rprea&1212186368&read&3&4&

There is another owner planning to post his observations in the reviews section in a week or 2, so keep an eye out for that. And, of course, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio
pedrillo
560 posts
 
I love to hear such enthusiasm about equipment. Since owning the calypso I do not see myself searching for any new preamp any time soon, but I was wondering how much better is the vre over the calypso? Please be gentle I like the calypso very much maybe I shouldn't have asked.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I was wondering how much better is the vre over the calypso?
Pedrillo (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)
It's impossible for anyone other than yourself to answer this question.

Since the Calypso is a tube preamp, and the VRE-1 is a hybrid passive, the presentation will be different. The build quality and attention to detail of the VRE-1 would suggest that it's perhaps the "better" preamp (in my opinion...Calypso owners may undoubtedly take exception), but only your ears can determine which preamp is preferable.
pedrillo
560 posts
 
Tvad,
Thanks.
;
Just wondering if this preamp is that good, why not come up with trickle down technology of this design for less so more of us can purchase it.
It would be great to see a U.S.A. product dominate the audio scene by making an affordable preamp that outperforms the European models like Dartzeel and the Japanese Zanden-- it is Japanese isn't it. My point let's bring U.S. back to its former glory and at the same time for us paupers to be able to afford world class preamps.
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