Pre-Amp reccommendation for Air Tight ATM-300R power amp

[bodhisattva]

I am close to acquiring an Air Tight ATM-300R power amp. Hence, I wanted to get input and opinions on suitable pre-amps as that will be my next system upgrade. Obviously, an Air Tight pre-amp would be a logical choice but I wanted to consider other possibilities as well...

Which pre-amps are other here using with Air Tight gear? What do you think of the synergy / resulting system SQ?

What other pre-amps make sense to investigate?

According to Stereophile measurements: "The input impedance was a usefully high 78.5k ohms at low and middle frequencies, dropping to a still-high 54k ohms at 20kHz."

Thank you.

 

[advanced101]

I use an EMIA Silver wound Autoformer with my 300R. It is a passive pre. The 300R is very neutral so whatever preamp you use will come through. With the super high sensitivity of the 300R you don’t need a preamp with lots of gain.

 

[bazelio]

I use an EMIA Silver wound Autoformer with my 300R. It is a passive pre. The 300R is very neutral so whatever preamp you use will come through. With the super high sensitivity of the 300R you don’t need a preamp with lots of gain.

I was going to suggest the silver Emia also, after seeing the 300R specs. Just make sure you're not using a weak phono output stage, and you'll love the sound you get.

 

[bodhisattva]

I use an EMIA Silver wound Autoformer with my 300R. It is a passive pre. The 300R is very neutral so whatever preamp you use will come through. With the super high sensitivity of the 300R you don’t need a preamp with lots of gain.

Thanks for the suggestion. While I like what tubes bring to the table, the EMIA is a very interesting idea, particularly if used with a tubed DAC and/or phono-pre. Definitely something to investigate and consider further.

 

[advanced101]

Thanks for the suggestion. While I like what tubes bring to the table, the EMIA is a very interesting idea, particularly if used with a tubed DAC and/or phono-pre.

Dave Slage offers a no-cost trial of the unit. If you are interested, reach out and give it a no risk shot. I also use his Silver wound SUTs in my Allnic H3000.
Slage is one of the more interesting audio people in the Industry.

 

[KeithR]

I was thinking TVC or AVC like the others. For TVC, Music First and Bespoke are common around here.

 

[bodhisattva]

I was thinking TVC or AVC like the others. For TVC, Music First and Bespoke are common around here.

Thanks -- Upon an initial investigation the TVC / AVC type pre-amps are looking like a really nice option.

In terms of tubed pre-amps, a draft list includes:

Thomas Mayer
Audio-Antiquary
Shindo ^

^ I am really, really curious how the Shindo pre-amps might sound with Air Tight. Might be like oil and vinegar, but then maybe not.

Would love to hear thoughts on these pre-amps as well as others that need to be on the list

 

[advanced101]

Not sure you will find many on the Shindo + Air Tight, but here is one User: If I wanted a tube pre, the Mayer would be one I would want to try. Another of the more interesting audio folks with great customer service. I bought my Elrogs from him.

 

[djsina2]

John DeVore has/had the AT 300B and Shindo pre-amps. Maybe he tried them together?

 

[bonzo75]

The Shindo preamps are quite colored compared to airtight poweramp. Their basic model though is good value for phono with pre combined.

I have good experience with misho's audio antiquary products. Misho's best product is his phono, it's excellent.

The Mayer 10y silver is my favorite valve preamp. There is another 101d preamp by a small UK company which is excellent but not branded enough yet to have good resale.

Have also done a few 10y / 801a compares on the Mayer pre.

I also own an 801a 4 watts power amp that I haven't heard yet. I will later send it around to compare to other low watt amps

 

[bazelio]

Although I'd prefer the AVC, I'm wondering why an Airtight pre isn't on the audition list here.

 

[djsina2]

I used the Emia copper Elmaformer with my Air Tight ATM-1. The sound was outstanding but maybe almost too explosive at times. It seemed to always be on full throttle no matter what I was listening to. I did have some unexplainable weird interactions with either my phono or turntable that nobody could figure out so unfortunately the Emia didn’t last long. It wasn’t the amp though since it also behaved badly on my Allnic.

 

[bodhisattva]

Although I'd prefer the AVC, I'm wondering why an Airtight pre isn't on the audition list here.

It definitely is! Here I am just trying to identify a few others to consider alongside the Air Tight pre-amp.

 

[advanced101]

I used the Emia copper Elmaformer with my Air Tight ATM-1. The sound was outstanding but maybe almost too explosive at times. It seemed to always be on full throttle no matter what I was listening to. I did have some unexplainable weird interactions with either my phono or turntable that nobody could figure out so unfortunately the Emia didn’t last long. It wasn’t the amp though since it also behaved badly on my Allnic.

This was my opinion of the copper EMIA after auditioning the silver EMIA. The word that came to mind was "exaggerated".

 

[bazelio]

Weird, I've had both side by side. The copper never sounded more explosive nor exaggerated to me. If anything, a bit softer and hazy. Relatively, speaking though. The copper Emia isn't hazy compared to most active preamps, for example.

 

[advanced101]

Weird, I've had both side by side. The copper never sounded more explosive nor exaggerated to me. If anything, a bit softer and hazy. Relatively, speaking though. The copper Emia isn't hazy compared to most active preamps, for example.

It is nice to be able to listen to them side by side in our own system. Goes to show you that two people can listen to the same components in their systems and form different opinions. I wish it were easier to demo more equipment before we buy.

 

[bodhisattva]

I now have committed to the ATM-300R and looking at three more pre-amps to consider for the list of candidates:

1. Doshi Line Preamplifier v3.0
2. VAC Renaissance Mk V
3. Mastersound Spettro

Would love to hear from anyone with experience with these three as well as the others above.

Thanks for all the recommendations and information.

 

[Oracle1974]

I now have committed to the ATM-300R and looking at three more pre-amps to consider for the list of candidates:

1. Doshi Line Preamplifier v3.0
2. VAC Renaissance Mk V
3. Mastersound Spettro

Would love to hear from anyone with experience with these three as well as the others above.

Thanks for all the recommendations and information.

I am using a Doshi preamp. I got in touch with Nick Doshi and sent him the specifications of my power amp. It was important for me to see if the Doshi preamp matched well with my power amp.
For me it was a blind buy. The choice was between preamp of same brand as my power amp and options like Aries Cerat Incito S and Doshi preamp.
Hope this helps and all the best.

 

[morricab]

I now have committed to the ATM-300R and looking at three more pre-amps to consider for the list of candidates:

1. Doshi Line Preamplifier v3.0
2. VAC Renaissance Mk V
3. Mastersound Spettro

Would love to hear from anyone with experience with these three as well as the others above.

Thanks for all the recommendations and information.

I put a vote in for the Aries Cerat Incito or Incito S. Incredible build quality with a sound to match...tough to beat...

 

[christoph]

I put a vote in for the Aries Cerat Incito or Incito S. Incredible build quality with a sound to match...tough to beat...

Have you heard the Incito-S in the meantime?
Compared to the regular Incito (without -S) or the Impera?