2. amps-preamps
  3. 1311730684

A bit overwhelmed, need preamp advice

Hello! New Guy here...

I think the pre-amp must be the most challenging component to buy. It's like the master controller and brains of the whole system and I am having a hard time with narrowing my choices down and was looking for some advice.

When I setup my home theater system it was a much easier decision and I ended up with a Proceed AVP-S. Well, I've been selling all my HT gear and want to move back to a simple but very musical two channel setup.

Speakers are Snell B-Minors, my amp is a Bryston 4B-SST, and the front end is a California Audio Labs CL-25 but I am getting rid of the Proceed and the Cal Audio and moving to a RAID1 music server setup that I've built and ripped my 2000 CD's to Flac with exact audio copy.

I need to find a replacement for the Proceed and the only thing that will be connected to the pre-amp is a Musical Fidelity M1DAC.

The Proceed is a little on the dry analytic side, and I was looking for something that would add a bit of warmth, focus and 3 dimensionality and better depth and soundstaging. But not too much warmth and bloom!

One of the challenges is that whatever I get, the bass has to be pretty controlled which is why I got the Bryston. The Snell's have a 12" woofer and the Bryston is able to really take control of it.

My budget is about $1500 usd and I'm looking for some suggestions.

I was thinking of the Rogue Metis Preamplifier with the Magnum upgrades for $1,495.

Or the Placette Passive linestage with the remote for $1595.00

I was hoping I could get some thoughts from folks that have had these and let me know what you thought. The other thing is what are the downsides to a passive linestage? I've heard you give up dynamics for transparency and I'm not sure I can live with that.

I listen to literally all kinds of music so a good soundstage, accuracy, musicality, and dynamic range is important. Sorry for rambling but please chime in if you have any thoughts.

Thanks,

David
davidwjones

Showing 3 responses by emorrisiv

emorrisiv
313 posts
 
I have heard the Doge 8 in a very revealing system and it is a giant killer. When used with a first rate SUT the phono section is top notch.
That said, I bought the new "Clarity" Doge 8 and while it is still breaking in I do believe I am hearing a marked improvement over the already excellent "old" Doge 8.
The sound stage seems to be more pin pointed,defined and accurate but without the solid state glare and dryness.It is also very quiet.
Indeed it is very smooth but at the same time exciting with lots of prat and tons of gain. The "Clarity" is more expensive at 1999.00 but I would say it is worth it.
I will be borrowing my friends Ypsilon phono preamp to do A-B comparing with the internal phono section. Not exactly a fair comparison, but still should be fun.
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
My only rebuttal is that you rarely see the Doge for sale and when you do they sell for $1000-1200. The last one I saw sold in the first hour. I am sure a Aesthetix would be first rate too. I would love to hear one. Does the Calypso have a phono stage? I thought you needed a Rhea for that. Would love to hear that too, especially with the remote control cartridge loading! Cool indeed.
btw I have my Doge mated up to a SS power amp and it works very well with my Acoustats.

great stuff
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
Thanks for the info Ncarv. Aesthetix gear is very well respected and I am sure would be a winner.

btw For those who have SS gear, you need to try a tube preamp with your SS power amp. It can be a life changing experience.

My friend Mike Morrow is out at the high end show in Denver and has allowed me use of his Ypsilon phono preamp.Kind of like driving a Bugatti with a Porsche trailer.
This rig sounds nothing short of astounding! The micro/macro details,dynamics are in a class of it's own. The Doge 8 linestage is so good that it allows for the Ypsilon to do it's thing in spades.
I like it better than Mike's Einstein.

I understand that there are audiophiles that won't buy a piece of Chinese gear. All I can tell you is that if you are looking in the under $10k market, you need to check out the Doge 8.
Incredible build quality and sound to match.

e
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