2. amps-preamps
  3. 127698-92011

Alternative of the pre/power amps

I am looking for the set which provide myself with natural reproduction. I prefer to have something made from the beginning from 80th to beginning of 90th. Preamp should has many balanced XLR inputs. I prefer to have separate channels even in preamplifier. As a source I have 1) Resolution Audio Cesium transport + 2 Quantums DACs (very rare DACs that can be used as one chanel DAC), 2) Garrard 301 table with different arms (Stax, Grace, SAEC). The speakers I used are Mirage M1 bi-wiring version, but I planning to change them for the speakers with high sencitivity (like JBL 4333 or even 4350).

The alternatives.

1) Jeff Rowland Model 7 + Jeff Rowland Consummate. What embarrassing myself that this monos as long as this pre- are Class AB units....

2) Threshold SA/1 + ?. This variant is less expensive but old and not powerful. What preamp can be used here?

3) Mark Levinson ML2 + ???. ML2 is also not expensive, old, not powerful and another problem is the preamps (ML1, 6, 7) that matches ML2 have no XLRs! But ML6 is a true 2 mono unit!

4) Mark Levinson 20.5 + ML 26. Here is almost perfect except ML 26 has only one XLR input and this combination not cheap as Jeffs one.

5) Krell KRS 200+ ?. I guess KRS 200 is the best among everything listed above, but it is more expensive then Model 7 and 20.5 and huge as Model 7. Also I do not know which preamp can I pick for it. KRS 1 or 2 have no XLRs....

Thanks all. Happy New Year!
tonlab

Showing 4 responses by tonlab

tonlab OP
4 posts
 
Tonlab ,If you keep your M1's then all of these combos you mention are very good indeed (i like the Krell least of the above they run Hottt). I however would also include a pair of McIntosh mono blocks MC500w or MC1200w or the MC600w stereo amp with a McIntosh C2200, or C2500 tube pre amp, with the M1's you will be blown away and not even think about getting rid of them!

P.S. Many XLR's too!!

Matt M
Thank you for response, Matt.

Actually I am not sure that I will keep M1, this are good speakers, but I think too fluent. JBL are more classic and serious, but this even easier situation: all of this pre/amps will be better work with JBL.
As for McIntosh. I gusee you ment MC501 monos and 1201monos? This monos as long as C2200 and C2500 preamps are made after 2000 year, what I personally do not like... Maybe it is a mistake, but I had 225 amp, which was very very good, but that one had no XLRs and needed to be restored, so I sold it...
tonlab OP
4 posts
 
Ayre?

ARC?
Thank you for your responce, Randy 11.

My friend has a pair of 600 -III reference poweramps. They are splendid with his Tannoy Westminster Royal... But this is the level that I am not consider. But older TOTL models would be interesting for me. Maybe you can suggest.
tonlab OP
4 posts
 
I can spend $5000 for a pair of monos and $2000 for a pre or equivalent in Euro. I am from Finland.
tonlab OP
4 posts
 
The list of the the pairs of the Monos + Pre avalible at the $5000 + $2000 or € equivalent.
Up to 1995 production. XLRs, Separate chanels in pre and Class A are preferrable

Jeff Rowland Model 7 + Jeff Rowland Consummate
Threshold SA/1 + ?
Mark Levinson ML2 + ???
Mark Levinson 20.5 + ML 26
Krell KRS 200+ KBL?
Aleph Pass P + Aleph Pass 2
Acoustic Research...   Ref 1 pre?

What is to buy? Need an advice. Thank you.
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