ML-1 back in the late 70’s started me down the rabbit hole. Replaced with a ML-3A in the mid 80’s. Both were a revelation versus the receivers they replaced.
Your All Time Favorite Preamplifiers?
- Thread starter musicfirst1
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The Khozmo passive eventually arrived repackaged by good ol’ Border Force.
Thankfully no damage occurred to the unit and after warming up, testing in my spare system, it was ready to replace my Java LDR preamp.
Right off the bat it is dynamic with a silent background and has a silky sound compared to the Java which had a touch of grain or distortion. Now I have a good volume range of about 20 ‘clicks’ compared to only 4 on the Java.
This unit has 25K Z foil and Amtrans AMRT resistors with1 set of inputs and 2 sets outputs. Includes an aluminium remote and slick volume knob.
I’m impressed, well done Arek.
Thankfully no damage occurred to the unit and after warming up, testing in my spare system, it was ready to replace my Java LDR preamp.
Right off the bat it is dynamic with a silent background and has a silky sound compared to the Java which had a touch of grain or distortion. Now I have a good volume range of about 20 ‘clicks’ compared to only 4 on the Java.
This unit has 25K Z foil and Amtrans AMRT resistors with1 set of inputs and 2 sets outputs. Includes an aluminium remote and slick volume knob.
I’m impressed, well done Arek.
Recentyl I had the chance to listen to the new
Air Tight ATC 7
Tube Premamplifier. And I liked the Pre a lot, now the Pre is playing in a second set up, which I do enjoy more and more.
(together with the Air Tight ATE 3011 Phonostage)
Air Tight ATC 7
Tube Premamplifier. And I liked the Pre a lot, now the Pre is playing in a second set up, which I do enjoy more and more.
(together with the Air Tight ATE 3011 Phonostage)
Ralph, what sonic advantages do you hear with a true dual mono setup like this?
Love that PD444. After purchasing my PD277, the same seller went to sell his PD444 as well. Unfortunately, it sold before I got a chance at it.
On topic of favorite preamps, mine started with the mint Accuphase C-200. I recapped it and it performed flawlessly for years. A full body sound, loads of features and 3 phono inputs!
A few years later, my second favorite preamp was the Musical Fidelity A3.2CR. Oddly enough, it had a similar sound signature to the Accuphase C-200, though leaning a touch more toward the neutral side but still full bodied with a smooth top end.
Of course, this list wouldn't be complete without my current preamp, which is also the best preamp I have ever owned, the Pass Labs XP-20. Super quiet, dynamic, expressive, detailed, refined, punchy, exciting. I love this preamp and plan on keeping it for a very long time. I have no urge to upgrade.
Its hard to explain but it was very easy to listen to. I've been thinking about that a lot; if I had to boil it down to something simple, it made other preamps I've heard have a sort of forced quality by comparison. IOW music seemed to flow in an unfettered way that was very beguiling.
perfect consideration! if you have to use a passive preamp then go for digital control from your DAC, or directly with attenuators on the final amplifier.
I am absolutely against removing the preamplifier which I think is the most important component of the entire audio system!
thanks.
that decision would come down to expectations and the particular dac; the implementation of the digital volume control and the synergy between your amps and dac and your cable and cable length. generally not a fan of digital attenuation. but at some price points might be the best, least harmful, way to go.
OTOH; i think that MSB (Select II and Reference) does this right; they use a high quality passive volume attenuator in their dacs; even designed to synergize with the MSB amplifiers. so there are high quality ways to go direct digital only without an active preamp.
I use the Totaldac Sublime, which has an excellent digital volume control system, but honestly using dedicated premamplifiers from Dissanayake Audio there is no possibility of comparison, but the opposite would be strange! Dissanayake has dedicated a lifetime to premamplifiers after over 50 years of research and development, his tube pieces produce a holographic plasma of pure energy!
It makes me smile when people think they can do without a preamp! ...
CAT SL-1. It seems every time I happen upon an absolutely incredible system, a CAT SL-1 is front and center. Wonderful sounding preamp.
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