Looking for best pre amplifier under $12k

[flm09]

Hi I am using a conrad-johnson ET3SE and was wondering how I can get better sound without spending a fortune like the ET7 S2.

 

[LL21]

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9gbdf-conrad-johnson-et-7-fantastic-pre-amp-series-2-tube

Big CJ Preamp fan here. ET7 Series 2 asking less than $8K...

 

[Germanboxers]

Thomas Mayer 10Y linestage
Thomas Mayer Linestage Product page
If you’re in the USA you can deduct the 19% VAT that is included in the price listed on his product page.

Highly recommended. The build quality is insane and the sound quality tops that. Among the best purchases I’ve ever made in my 35 years in the hobby.

 

[flm09]

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9gbdf-conrad-johnson-et-7-fantastic-pre-amp-series-2-tube

Big CJ Preamp fan here. ET7 Series 2 asking less than $8K...

My budget I prefer is around 5k. Is the ET7S2 really that much different from the ET3SE?

 

[flm09]

Thomas Mayer 10Y linestage
Thomas Mayer Linestage Product page
If you’re in the USA you can deduct the 19% VAT that is included in the price listed on his product page.

Highly recommended. The build quality is insane and the sound quality tops that. Among the best purchases I’ve ever made in my 35 years in the hobby.

Ok I will research it

 

[flm09]

Thomas Mayer 10Y linestage
Thomas Mayer Linestage Product page
If you’re in the USA you can deduct the 19% VAT that is included in the price listed on his product page.

Highly recommended. The build quality is insane and the sound quality tops that. Among the best purchases I’ve ever made in my 35 years in the hobby.

The 10 Y is out of my budget for now!

 

[Germanboxers]

The 10 Y is out of my budget for now!

I apologize. I must have misunderstood. The thread title said best preamp under $12k. What is your budget?

 

[gestalt]

The Mayer 10Y is a good recommendation but difficult to audition in the US. Lamm Industries LL2.1 Deluxe is lovely. New Audio Frontiers Amati could be a good fit if a remote is mandatory.

Many people will have many opinions. Your opinion is ultimately what matters and to discover the answer you'll need to hear for yourself.

 

[flm09]

The Mayer 10Y is a good recommendation but difficult to audition in the US. Lamm Industries LL2.1 Deluxe is lovely. New Audio Frontiers Amati could be a good fit if a remote is mandatory.

Many people will have many opinions. Your opinion is ultimately what matters and to discover the answer you'll need to hear for yourself.

I thought about Lamm but don't think their volume control using dual Noble pots is SOTA. Yes I prefer a remote as well. I don't know why Lamm doesn't put out a stepped attenuator with one resistor in the path at one time. I will check out the Amati thanks!

 

[flm09]

The Mayer 10Y is a good recommendation but difficult to audition in the US. Lamm Industries LL2.1 Deluxe is lovely. New Audio Frontiers Amati could be a good fit if a remote is mandatory.

Many people will have many opinions. Your opinion is ultimately what matters and to discover the answer you'll need to hear for yourself.

What kind of remote control volume controller do they use? Website doesn't say!

 

[adamaley]

My budget I prefer is around 5k. Is the ET7S2 really that much different from the ET3SE?

A Misho Myronov (Audio Antiquary) Wooden Preamp fits the bill around that price point. It's quite off the beaten path but it makes outstanding music in my system. In any case, I hope you find what suits you. It's a jungle out there when it comes to preamps.

Edit: Sorry, no volume control here

 

[flm09]

Does anyone have any contacts or dealers where I can get a good price on the Vinnie Rossi L2 se preamp?

 

[flm09]

A Misho Myronov (Audio Antiquary) Wooden Preamp fits the bill around that price point. It's quite off the beaten path but it makes outstanding music in my system. In any case, I hope you find what suits you. It's a jungle out there when it comes to preamps.

Edit: Sorry, no volume control here

What is the retail price of this preamp? Where do you buy one?

 

[gestalt]

What kind of remote control volume controller do they use? Website doesn't say!

In my opinion, I think you're asking the wrong questions.

Different questions: Does the preamp electrically match the rest of my system? Does it emotionally connect me to the music? Does it make me want to turn my system on more often? Does it fit my personal aesthetic?

How the component sounds and how it makes you feel when in use are eternal hifi criteria. They're also entirely subjective. Paraphrasing a friend (thanks Neli): it could be a box of rocks as long as it sounds good.

 

[flm09]

In my opinion, I think you're asking the wrong questions.

Different questions: Does the preamp electrically match the rest of my system? Does it emotionally connect me to the music? Does it make me want to turn my system on more often? Does it fit my personal aesthetic?

How the component sounds and how it makes you feel when in use are eternal hifi criteria. They're also entirely subjective. Paraphrasing a friend (thanks Neli): it could be a box of rocks as long as it sounds good.

Yes, sound is top priority and prefer remote control that's more than just a pot. I'm not too worried with it matching electrically. I would like to try DHT preamp. Something like a Vinnie Rossi L2 se but less expensive.

 

[BlueFox]

Get a Pass XP-22.

 

[flm09]

Get a Pass XP-22.

I prefer tubes in the pre amp!

 

[Nemal1]

Have you considered an ARC Ref 5SE?

 

[Sablon Audio]

If you like your present preamplifier, then consider having some of the components like coupling caps upgraded.

 

[bonzo75]

What is the retail price of this preamp? Where do you buy one?

You can buy it from Misho directly. Hence the lower price as it does not need all the markups for distribution.

http://zero-distortion.org/altec-assault-and-the-magic-of-misho/