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  1. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Congrats. I remain very pleased with the C3900. Adrian of Audio Excellence Canada did a recent Youtube video review of the A-80. He did a great job of describing the sound of the higher end Accuphase gear. His description of what he was hearing with the A-80 mirrors the characteristics I am...
  2. Ricky64

    Accuphase preamps

    I just had the chance to listen to the C3900 in my system, feeding into a Gryphon Essence amp. I sounded fantastic.
  3. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Hi Everyone; This was an interesting journey, putting a few pre's through the system, and picking the component with the most synergy for my tastes. For two years, I refused to believe a pre was needed, at the same time, I had issues with anemic bass (was blaming the amplifier and the room)...
  4. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    Thanks for your reply. I agree the Metis is excellent, and I can understand the benefits of tube rolling. I am a big fan of Aesthetix. At the end, no "caution" is needed. I worked with my dealer who has both Aesthetix and Accuphase, and loves both. This was a situation where my preference leaned...
  5. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    The Metis shipped with new tubes. It sounded frankly terrible intially; all sorts of odd phase related sounds. These completely resolved with about 72 hours of burn in. After that, it sounded quite extraordinary. Excellent 3D soundstage, nice rounding and shaping of vocals and instruments. In...
  6. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    This has been a very informative journey. I placed an order today (after demo)....for an Accuphase C-3900. I've also found in my system I prefer the Mu1 Tambaqui combination over the Mu2. I have a very busy day and next several days, and will describe my findings and how I arrived at these decisons.
  7. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    Fembot is gone. Softening and rounding. Will we end up at Kate Upton? Or somewhere in between?
  8. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    Yes, they were new tubes. Demo straight from the factory. I ran intermittently last week. Now going straight for about 48 hours. Also installed some better isolating power cables. I think new tubes and system noise were an issue. I've owned a Pandora, and listened to Aesthetix at RMAF many...
  9. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    FYI, I am currently running a Grimm Mu2, Gryphon Essence Stereo Amp, Rockport Atria ii's. Tara Lab 0.8 cabling.
  10. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    So, for awhile, the Metis has been about as cuddly as a FemBot in my system... There were brand new tubes included. I am now running continuously, and hearing significant improvement. Judgements on hold for now.
  11. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    The demo unit is black with silver knobs. My wife says it reminds her of a Fembot from Austin Powers.
  12. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    A few updates... -The Grimm Mu2 is an excellent sounding device. Strong bass, sounds a bit darker than the Mu1/MMT combo but detail and imaging seem well preserved. When driving amplifier direct, the soundstage is a bit compacted, with more tight central imaging, and sound between the speakers...
  13. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Aesthetix Metis and Mu2 now in the house. Cold listening shows the Aesthetix to have very natural dynamics, and excellent depth of imaging. There is some tubey holography going on at times. Definitely not a traditional warm tubey sound though. The Mu2 going directly into pre is a quite...
  14. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    I told my wife about the Mu2. She is always wanting a limited amount of audio boxes around. However...she told me she likes the looks of the Tambaqui and doesn't want me to get rid of it..... That and we just saw a Mola Mola on a whale watching trip in Monterey... If I tell her that it needs to...
  15. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Haha! Yes, it was Gary that was over. It was Gary that recommended trying the SoulNote. They had some of the equipment in at the big YG room and loved it. I have Rockports....quite a bit different than YG's. I'm now convinced a pre is needed, at least with a Tambaqui. I'll message you and have...
  16. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Embarrassed to say...myrtle wood blocks under the speaker cables, pre, streamer, and dac, along with some "snuffers" plugged into wall outlets.
  17. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    A funny thing happened on the way to the forum... A friend in the Boulder area who works professionally in high end audio came by to look and listen to my setup. He brought a few tweak type devices. At this point, I was convinced the SoulNote P-3 was too bright and shallow in imaging depth for...
  18. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Three inputs actually. One for streaming. One for TV. One waiting for phono in future. Why the Baetis?
  19. Ricky64

    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    I get to here this piece in my system next week. Quite excited...
  20. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Regretting the dramatic title to this thread... a better one might have been "Introducing a pre amp to my system". I was so resistant, feeling like a pre must be a conflict of interest conspiracy theory designed to induce sales. (I felt the same way about the whole "gravel bike" concept in the...
  21. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Soulnote P-3 in the house today. Appreciate the great service and enthusiasm by Nick and the crew at TMRAudio here near Boulder. Initial impressions are very favorable. Soundstage very tall and wide. I'm most impressed by micro and macro dynamics and image texture/timbre. I do not sense any loss...
  22. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    If we could move the oppo discussion to another thread...
  23. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    TV and Digital. I will likely get a cheap Dac for the TV, and run analog into the preamp, so that I have one remote controlling volume and input. Currently, both are running through the Grimm, and I have used this for the volume control. The Thrax and Soulnote should arrive this week.
  24. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Agree! The perspectives offered here have been very valuable though.
  25. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    I would be interested in Aries Cerat, but my system for critical listening is also our system for watching TV and movies. My kids often put the remote somewhere I can never find it. Thus, some form of volume control, preferably rotary, will be on the front panel...
  26. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Thanks Ron. What are some of the active preamps that you've tried/heard that manage to preserve transparency?
  27. Ricky64

    Volume Attenuation and low volume listening

    Hi; I don't have very good understanding of methods of volume attenuation, and their effects on sound. I understand that some digital attenuation schemes result in loss of information, but I am more interested in the effects on dynamics and sound quality at lower levels. Do analog volume...
  28. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Thanks for your reply. Can you elaborate on your preference for the Soulution 720 over the 725? Thanks
  29. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    I think it will be challenging for me to find the preamp that gives me more than it takes away...from my current setup.
  30. Ricky64

    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Currently running a Grimm Mu1-->MM Tambaqui-->Gryphon Essence--> Rockport Atria ii's. Lovely, fast, transparent sound with great imaging, but issues with dynamics and presence that I believe are due to lack of a pre amp. Have a bit of an oddball lineup, but will be listening to a Grimm Mu2...

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