I put together my first system and this is what I've got so far. Needed to get the essentials as my main source is a cdp. I do think I'd like to have a tuner tho, as we've got some good radio out here. Thus, I need a pre. Not sure whether to go with a tube pre or ss. Suggestions from people that mix? Does is make a lot of sense to do so? I see that a lot of people with the stratos also have the tempest pre. Are people happy with that. Please feel free to comment on the synergy of the system.
Another word on First Sound. Emmanuel Go (its founder) is one of the real gems in all of audio. He's very very acessable, cares deeply about your experience with his products, and has gone as far as offering free upgrades in the past. That's really important, IMHO. Oh, and his product is truly wonderful as well!
I appreciate the info on the First Sound Presence Deluxe II. This gives me something to research before making the jump! Didn't mean to rattle on.....just got a little involved when I started thinking about what I have learned about stereo and value.
Studio 1 - this is stereohp1973's virtual system page, so I'm waiting to hear from him about his priorities. Well, actually your comments and observations are on-topic (preamps), so I guess no harm going on about them here..... OK, I would not doubt the M10 would be one of THE BEST out there, but you're talking about a $50K retail price - a bit out of my range....
Anyway, i would recommend a used First Sound Presence Deluxe II over the Lamm. I was interested in the Lamm at one point, but found the First Sound much more involving, with better dynamics and bass control - overall very very lifelike... Many posts about this preamp on AG. I would also include the CAT SL-1 in the sort list of open (also over the Lamm). Dont get me wrong, the Lamm is good indeed, maybe it's just a preference thing. That's ehy the key is to listen before buying!
One thing I have learned this year with the homebrew SET is that the preamp may be passing along signal that the amp is not capable of faithfully reproducing. This undetected fact/phonomena has caused many pursuing audiophiles to spend unnecessarily in pursuit of something that may have already been there in the first place! Of the preamps that you named - I have heard three (Audionote, BAT, and Audio Research); and I can tell you that the Audionote M10 takes the cake! The BAT is very balanced - but a tad bright or metallic sounding - atleast on SS. The Audio Research SP8 modified was very muscular but just missed the refinement mark.
I was contemplating a change of preamp until I got to experimenting in the garage earlier this year and put together a SET that leaves me with a smile every time I play it! I learned that the Conrad-Johnson is an incredible piece of gear! It was passing a signal to my modified Golden Tube SE40 that the amp simply would not reproduce faithfully.
At this juncture, my moves will most likely be a Shunyata power conditioner for my Arcam CD73, and a used Lamm LL2 further down the road. The Shunyata transforms the Arcam players in a major way! In fact, I purchased my player based on what I heard with the Shunyata! My TT is a AR ES1 with Premier MMT Tonearm run through a Gram Slee phono stage and slightly modified PSU.
Music? I listen to jazz! James Carter, Wayman Tisdale, Marcus Miller, Joe Lavano, Miles Davis, Chico Freeman, and the list goes on! Go to cdnow.com and search under "music" for these artists.
Priorities in sound reproduction? Simply to sound like what I hear when I am sitting in front of live instruments - preferably unamplified. During the school year I have opportunities to visit my daughter's school and listen to the music students play in a formal setting. Well, to me that is exactly the way I like it at home. The only thing that differes is what row I am sitting in! I hear some audiophiles talk about PRAT, sound stage, imaging and so on! That stuff is important to me, but it takes a back seat to "Realism". When you are in front of live music - it is difficult at best to analyze all these effects as you are simply too busy enjoying the music.
My budget, per component would be $2,500; but I am of the mindset "Why spend it if you don't have to?". Regarding vinyl, I am looking at the Transcendent Sound tube phonostage! It's well under $1K so thats cool. Later, the Lamm LL2 preamp.
nice system! Many good preamps out there. I myself havebeen on a quest for a preamp, and have owned or auditioned units from BAT, Aestetix, First Sound, Audio Note, Nagra, Ayre and a Audio Research and a few others.
What kind of music do you listen to, and what about your system are you looking to improve on, or moreover - what are your priorities in sound reproduction? Also, what's the budget? Art
I use a homebrew SET tube amplifier run by a Conrad-Johnson PF2 Solid State (SS) preamplifier! In fact, I am enjoying it as I write! I can tell you that Conrad-Johnson makes even their SS gear sound tube-like. Sure, I could really step it up with a tube pre, but not just any old tube pre - but a real nice one! Otherwise you wont get that much of an increase across the board.
In other words, the PF2 would be hard to beat unless one is willing to spend $2k or more! The PF2 can be obtained second hand for $500 and will throw a wonderful presentation. Now, on the other hand - if you have the money, here are some sweet tube preamp units starting from the most economical to the least economical:
