What preamp would you pick?

[mattburk]

I am putting together a two channel system & am in need of a preamp.
Here are the contenders:
Some of these I could not hear locally, and none in a a/b comparision. I would like to at least lower the number of preamps I am looking at.

1. Modwright SWL 9.0SE

http://underwoodhifi.com/retail.html

2. PS audio GCC 500watt control amp with mods by underwood

http://underwoodhifi.com/mod_psaudio.html

3. Arcam FMJ C31

4. Classe CP-500

5. Meridian GO1 or Go2 if it is worth it over the 1

6. Rotel rc1090 least expensive, I might pick it up for kicks.

7. Bryston BP26

What do you recommend and why? How would you rank these from 1 being best 7 being least favorable?

[mattburk]

Alright, well I think I narrowed it down to the ps audio, bryston and the meridian.
Any input would be appreciated.

[alebonau]

there are quite a few other pre-amps as well

NuForce P-8 $2k?

http://www.nuforce.com/products-preamp.htm

Primare pre30

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/primare/products/pre30.htm

plinius m8

http://www.pliniusaudio.com/pro/pro04.htm

naim nait 202

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/nac202.html

musical fidelity a5cr pre

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/346

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/a5/a5pre.html#

Electrocompaniet 4.7

http://www.tivolihifi.com.au/index.php?mai...;products_id=73

krell 280p

http://www.lenwallisaudio.com.au/products/...ls.php?pid=1020

Moon p3

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/495

http://www.simaudio.com/moonp3.htm

Audio Research SP16L

http://www.audioresearch.com/SP16.html

Moon p5

http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/496

http://www.simaudio.com/moonp3.htm

theres probably quite a few other types out there too. these jsut soem I've considered in the past.

wondering why you particualrly selected the ones you did ?

what power amp/s & source do you have.

pre & power amp matchign is somethign to consider. might be worth demoing with some amps you have in mind to check how you find them.

also do you intend to combine with a ht system at any stage or is this a pure 2ch setup.

[mattburk]

I like the ps audio based on the fact that I am also getting 1000x2@4ohm & ht pass through. I have spoken to some people that own the 250watt version and they are very pleased. I do not like that it does not include a phono preamp.

The Bryston has some good reviews & I have heard nothing but good things about Bryston in general. I like that it also has a phono stage.

The Meridian has a great review too, but I can't seem to find much on it. I found some good reviews on some of it's sister G series products. I like the fact that it has a tuner & a phono stage.

My price range is around 3k for the pre, most of these preamps I can pick up for less than 3k (I am open to buying used). I will need a amplifier to go with the system. The speakers I will be getting are based on the new genesis 3's that are coming out, they are rated up to 1000watts.
It looks like aside from ps, I will be going with an unmatched system to get the power I want.

The Primare, Plinius M8 & the moon all look great. The moon has ht pass through & I can pick it up used for under 3k.
At this point it seems to be down to just going for it as, few people have had these systems yet alone two of these to compare.

I am putting together a complete two channel system from scratch. I plan on spending about 1k for a dac to go with my marantz 5500 cd, about another 1-1.5 for a lp, & about 400 for a tuner. I think I answered all of your questions.
Many more options now......

[RebelMan]

My order of preference would be (if paired with B&W speakers)...

1. Classe CP-500 - Natural and somewhat warm with fullbodied bass and smoothly detailed highs, somewhat laidback presentation, deep soundstage.
2. Bryston BP26 - Transparent and somewhat cool with prodigious bass and brightly extended highs, slightly forward presentation, wide soundstage.
3. Meridian GO1 or GO2 - Somewhat clynical with clean bass and crisp highs, slightly forward presentation, wide soundstage.
3. Rotel RC-1090 - Somewhat dark, rounded bass and slightly surpressed highs, slightly forward presentation, compressed soundstage.
4. Arcam FMJ C31 - Lacking immediacy, flatten bass and veiled highs, slightly dry and laid back presentation, two-dimensional soundstage.

X. PS Audio GCC - Never heard
Y. Modwright SWL 9.0SE - Never heard

System synergy is highly dependent on your choice of speakers. I used B&W, Totem and Dynaudio in my evaluations.

[gianni]

As stated above system synergy is important and I would not but any of them without a good listen in your system.. That being said, I would suggest you do take the time to listen to a Modwright, even if you have to buy used and then sell for little to no loss if it's not for you.

[Bluespower]

I went with the ModWright last spring and have been quite pleased. I wish I could say that I had a chance to experience all of the choices you've rattled off.

With the ModWright there is a certain amount of "tuning" you can do by swapping out tubes. Dan ships the unit with Tung Sols but also says that you can try the Jan Philips (both 5687). The Tung Sols are a little smoother and perhaps have an edge on bass. The Jan Philips are a little brighter. I'm running the Jan Philips right now and am very happy. For $30 you can do a little experimenting for yourself.

Just for reference, I'm using the ModWright with a 1095 and 804s. Good luck in your quest...

[whoaru99]

Perhaps you can find a nice used Levinson No. 26, they seem to be pretty well regarded although I've personally only heard the No. 28 which is related, but a notch or two down the line from the No. 26.

Somewhat rare to find one up for sale though and usually they go quick if not outrageously priced. This is what I was looking for but most examples were sold quickly for a bit more than I wished to pay.

I have a Proceed PRE which I think does a good job with my ML No. 23 and Studio 100's. It has HT bypass but I'm not using with HT system.

[jim777]

McIntosh C220 is my dream pre

And imagine the C2200 :drool:

[Gump]

My order of preference would be (if paired with B&W speakers)...

1. Classe CP-500 - Natural and somewhat warm with fullbodied bass and smoothly detailed highs, somewhat laidback presentation, deep soundstage.
2. Bryston BP26 - Transparent and somewhat cool with prodigious bass and brightly extended highs, slightly forward presentation, wide soundstage.
3. Meridian GO1 or GO2 - Somewhat clynical with clean bass and crisp highs, slightly forward presentation, wide soundstage.
3. Rotel RC-1090 - Somewhat dark, rounded bass and slightly surpressed highs, slightly forward presentation, compressed soundstage.
4. Arcam FMJ C31 - Lacking immediacy, flatten bass and veiled highs, slightly dry and laid back presentation, two-dimensional soundstage.

X. PS Audio GCC - Never heard
Y. Modwright SWL 9.0SE - Never heard

System synergy is highly dependent on your choice of speakers. I used B&W, Totem and Dynaudio in my evaluations.

You sure you weren't describing a bottle of Cabernet in there somewhere?

[RebelMan]

You sure you weren't describing a bottle of Cabernet in there somewhere?

LOL, good one Gump. Imagine, the lights dimmed, the tantalizing aroma of pasta primavera and your lovely. Now, do you throw in a bottle of bubbly or some smooth jazz? :P

[bigburner]

I plan on spending about 1k for a dac to go with my marantz 5500 cd

Which DAC matt?

Nigel.

PS. Don't forget to get a pre-amp that has tone controls. [No reply expected!]

[RebelMan]

PS. Don't forget to get a pre-amp that has tone controls. [No reply expected!]

LOL, hey bigburner I love your sense of humor. It's all good. :T

[twitch54]

Matt, I concur with "Rebelmans" order, but regardless please audition for your own sake a pre-amp is way to important to be "stuck" with a purchase. FWIW I have been a CJ and ARC fan for over thirty years, my pre of choice - ARC LS -26. 85-90% of the Ref 3 @ 60% of the cost.

[mattburk]

Thanks for the great response.
Rebelman, thank you for the detailed response.
Bigburner, I am looking at the new psaudio digital link III or the benchmark dac1 in silver.
Twitch, I just spent a few hours reading up on the ARC preamps the ls26 looks pretty good. I do like the idea of a tubed preamped stage, especially if I am going with the 500ps audio amp. Looks like they go for about6k.

[Karma]

Perhaps you can find a nice used Levinson No. 26, they seem to be pretty well regarded although ........

HI,
I have owned a Levinson No. 26. It is truly a great preamp but a little ergonomically quirky. For example, it used CAMAC (LEMO) connectors. Great connectors but not exactly standard. Levinson had the right idea but the world did not follow. You can get RCA to CAMAC adaptors so the connectors are not a show stopper. It's available both with or without a phono preamp. The modular phono stage can be retrofitted if you need it. Mine had the phono stage which I used with low output moving coil cartridges. It is one of the best phono stages I have heard. Don't know for sure what the going used price is but I'll bet it's pretty attractive though the No. 26 is not a well kept secret, being a Class A Stereophile component during its model life. Hard to loose on this one. Definitely first class. Don't be fooled. The No. 28 is not in the same league as the No. 26. Maybe not even on the same planet.

Personally, I prefer Audio Research electronics, both pre and power. I don't think one should consider the pre without considering the power amp. They form a symbiotic relationship that should not be ignored. The preamp I have in my main system is an Audio Research SP-11 MkII, one of the great ones. And yes, I do have an Audio Research power amp connected to it.

As mentioned above, conrad-johnson's stuff is wonderful especially at the high end. I'm not so enthusiastic about their lower priced models.

The very best phono performance I have experienced was from a CAT (Convergent Audio Technology) unit. Again, this is a tubed preamp and I don't like its egonomics very well. Sure sounded good though, especially wth phono sources. Line source performance was also good but not in the same class which doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense.

Certainly Krell (I have one in my HT system and I love it like a second son, not like a first son), current Levinson models, and Rowland should not be left out of the discussion if your direction is towards solid state, misguided as that might be.

Don't know much about Classe but they are highly thought of on this forum.

My post can summed up as follows: When you ask about the best preamps you are also asking opinions about very expensive equipment. You get what you pay for. Last, at this level of performance, symbiosis with the remainder of your system, and your sonic tastes, will dictate your decision.

Be careful. Take your time. Use your ears for they will reveal the truth.

Sparky

[alebonau]

HI,
~ I don't think one should consider the pre without considering the power amp. They form a symbiotic relationship that should not be ignored. The preamp I have in my main system is an Audio Research SP-11 MkII, one of the great ones. And yes, I do have an Audio Research power amp connected to it.

~

My post can summed up as follows: When you ask about the best preamps you are also asking opinions about very expensive equipment. You get what you pay for. Last, at this level of performance, symbiosis with the remainder of your system, and your sonic tastes, will dictate your decision.

Be careful. Take your time. Use your ears for they will reveal the truth.

Sparky

agree very much with these statements...

especially about pre-pwr matching, eg the audio research sp16L really is meant to go with the VS55 or 110 power amps I reckon. complement each other to produce a balanced result. and the point of the symbiosis wiht the rest of the system and sonic tastes...all very true !

[twitch54]

agree very much with these statements...

especially about pre-pwr matching, eg the audio research sp16L really is meant to go with the VS55 or 110 power amps I reckon. !

Outside of some gain issues / concerns with the ARC 16, I had that very same pre matched up against my Plinius SA-102 and it performed flawlessly ! truth is most of todays pre-amps match up fine, it's the sonic signature that one gets when the source, cabling, pre-amp and power amp are mated that determines the "wow" factor !!