IMHO the original series had the problem you refer - you were probably looking the preamplfier that could mitigate it in this shootout. All users of the first series I know about sold it and got the much better sounding version II - there was no possible upgrade.
Preamps... nothing is perfect.
- Thread starter MadFloyd
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IMHO the original series had the problem you refer - you were probably looking the preamplfier that could mitigate it in this shootout. All users of the first series I know about sold it and got the much better sounding version II - there was no possible upgrade.
We have to listen side by side to get a real notion of the differences. One thing is sure : deeper, more articulate bass - perhaps this is enough to sound more airy and spacious. Surely more transparent in micro details and micro dynamics . Really worth the price of the upgrade.
But if I had not tried the GAT2 I would be very happy with the original GAT.
I second Micro's observations...my own:
- The extremes of the GAT2 are more finely polished and articulated. The ACT 2 was perhaps articulate in the upper treble but not nearly as refined nor as tonally pure as the GAT series (and I am told the original ART series though i have never heard those).
- On the bass end, i suspect capacitance, power-related upgrades have improved its punching ability quite noticeably. It is a continuation of an extreme purity refinement that the GAT finally started to get right as a blending of the various powers of the original ACT 2 and the ART series from my discussions with various fellow owners and reviewers
- The system is also much, much quieter once the GAT 2 went in. The GAT did also have more trouble not eating through tubes, and so far I have not had this problem...and having swapped for Mullards...cannot say that going back to stock tubes does not truly satisfy as well. (i could not say this about the stock tubes of the original GAT which went noisy within a few months...consistently. Like many owners including XV-1, i went to Telefunkens).
- It seems to have found a following of owners who have 'set it and forgotten it'...i am one of them. I long ago stopped thinking about preamps.
The only other comment i would make is about Roy Gregory who has kindly offered me great and very well considered advice for nearly 10 years...very generous with his time and experience. I do think from his shoot-out review that the VTL brand is something for which he has a deep affinity. He has said the Siegfried II has no peers (at least that is how i interpret his review of it). Since he loves the Siegfried II and is also a reviewer who needs both SE and XLR, etc, etc...I suspect that combination probably does put the VTL 7.5III at the top of his personal list. Not that it matters...we all have our favorites. For me, the CJ GAT 2 is it. If i ever were to consider the Siegfried II...that is probably the only way i might swap in the 7.5III to see what happens. But with the Gryphon Colosseum...i am not sure i see that happening either.
- The extremes of the GAT2 are more finely polished and articulated. The ACT 2 was perhaps articulate in the upper treble but not nearly as refined nor as tonally pure as the GAT series (and I am told the original ART series though i have never heard those).
- On the bass end, i suspect capacitance, power-related upgrades have improved its punching ability quite noticeably. It is a continuation of an extreme purity refinement that the GAT finally started to get right as a blending of the various powers of the original ACT 2 and the ART series from my discussions with various fellow owners and reviewers
- The system is also much, much quieter once the GAT 2 went in. The GAT did also have more trouble not eating through tubes, and so far I have not had this problem...and having swapped for Mullards...cannot say that going back to stock tubes does not truly satisfy as well. (i could not say this about the stock tubes of the original GAT which went noisy within a few months...consistently. Like many owners including XV-1, i went to Telefunkens).
- It seems to have found a following of owners who have 'set it and forgotten it'...i am one of them. I long ago stopped thinking about preamps.
The only other comment i would make is about Roy Gregory who has kindly offered me great and very well considered advice for nearly 10 years...very generous with his time and experience. I do think from his shoot-out review that the VTL brand is something for which he has a deep affinity. He has said the Siegfried II has no peers (at least that is how i interpret his review of it). Since he loves the Siegfried II and is also a reviewer who needs both SE and XLR, etc, etc...I suspect that combination probably does put the VTL 7.5III at the top of his personal list. Not that it matters...we all have our favorites. For me, the CJ GAT 2 is it. If i ever were to consider the Siegfried II...that is probably the only way i might swap in the 7.5III to see what happens. But with the Gryphon Colosseum...i am not sure i see that happening either.
I would say probably true, IF all other things were truly equal...ie, quality, implementation, circuit design, etc, etc...also including how the equipment fares with the equipment attached to it. However, given how many variables which are involved...not least of which is that the cable runs in a home system are sometimes far shorter and less complicated than in a professional recording studio...i do wonder. And i suspect that is where it may not be that one person actually prefers SE over XLR (though some who know far more than I and listened far more than I actually do prefer it)...but in actual fact, it might be that they simply prefer how one designer who uses SE has actually designed the overall piece and then incorporated into that person's overall system.
Case in point was the wonderful ARC ref 3...it was a disaster in my system against the ACT 2...but i STRONGLY suspect it being attached to my existing system was the wrong implementation. Even the dealer who brought it to the house was absolutely confused at how badly the audition went...we had real issues (not just less good here or there)...such as noise issues. And back at the store, it was perfectly fine again.
I know it's not on your list, but checkout VAC SigMKIIa SE or Master. It's only uses 2 6922 and very sensitive to tube rolling. Sound is neutral and extended in both directions with Siemen or Telefunken.
You can borrow one from Fidelis AV in Merrimack, NH to demo.
You can borrow one from Fidelis AV in Merrimack, NH to demo.
I would not consider the new VTL's with your current old speakers. When I had old Wison's I always found that conrad johnson was the way to go. They matched particularly well. In order to get the Siegfried II you should get the XLF or Arrakis first ...
And this cannot possibly have anything to do with the $2 electronic attenuator ARC uses?
I thought you were against ranking products in this hobby
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?25569-Goodbye-Vivaldi&p=513007&viewfull=1#post513007
Besides the sound, the most important things for me in a preamp are both rca and xlr connections for every input (Like my Pass XS) and a tape loop. Remote control is the next priority.
I would look at Aries Cerat Impera pre-amplifier. They do fantastic SETs and the pre-amps are superb, very dynamic and solid, lots of body and realistic timbre. It could inject the required bit of warmth and weight (including silky smooth detail) that could be a great match.
Sorry, I seem to be banging on about Aries Cerat, but their DAC and amps are so special and so real sounding compared with the usual top suspects, it is one I would seriously consider.
Sorry, I seem to be banging on about Aries Cerat, but their DAC and amps are so special and so real sounding compared with the usual top suspects, it is one I would seriously consider.
Do you realize that probably you will not have balanced inputs in your future ML3.1 ?
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I can guess you will not have balanced inputs in your future ML3.1 ...
That's a different kettle of fish. I think the major stumbling block for me going Lamm pre/power is lack of xlr support. I find nothing objectionable about my Class A biased Pass XS system.
Thanks...in truth, am likely to keep CJ/Gryphon which probably enables me to go XLF or Arrakis in any event, particularly Arrakis given how often I have seen Rockport work with CJ and Gryphon over the years.
I have to say, if there is one brand i continue to be intrigued to hear, it is Aries Cerat.
Ian, is there anyway to hear each of your contenders in your own system?
Last week I voted, for myself, for the VTL TL-7.5 Series III with my wallet. (The fact that I had already decided on the Siegfried IIs just made my preamp decision even easier.)
Last week I voted, for myself, for the VTL TL-7.5 Series III with my wallet. (The fact that I had already decided on the Siegfried IIs just made my preamp decision even easier.)
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