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Best tubed full-function preamp with remote

Until a few days ago I was a happy user of a McIntosh C220 mainly due to its switching capabilities and its unobtrusiveness (I am extremely sensitive to sibilance). Recently I bought an Audible Illusion Modulus 3B for my secondary system and it bettered my McIntosh significantly. More colours, more dynamics more life-like presentation and still no sibilance.

Because of use in a home theatre setting I need a remote (minimally with volume control). So what I now need is a full function (MC-able) tubed preamp with remote. Models that come to mind are ModWright LS100, Ear 868, Aethetix Janus, McIntosh 2300, Hovland 200 other?? I would prefer a one box design and 2nd hand price not more than 4200.00.- $.

Analog front end: VPI Super Scoutmaster with a Denon 103R; Digital front ends: OPPO 95 with Modwright tube modification and PC with JRIVER and Wyred-4-Sound Dac2. Speakers are Gallo Ref 3.5 driven by a Cayin 9021, V211 based SET amp plus a Gallo subamp.

Any opinions or options that I missed????
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hanshhh OP
17 posts
 
I see that Atma-Sphere gets a lot of support here thanks for suggestion. I will try to get an audition.
bondmanp
1,782 posts
 
Just a few thoughts.

I own a C220, which replaced a C-J PV11. For my amplifier, the C220 is a much better match, and I am quite pleased with it. That said, a McIntosh rep told me recently that there is little sonic difference between the line stages of the C220 and the C2300. Yes, the phono stage can do MC, and is highly adjustable, but otherwise, the circuits are the same (although you get the cool blue meters with the C2300).

Also, I upgraded the tubes on the C220 to Mullard reissue 12Ax7s, and everything got better - lower noise, more refined treble, etc.

It's hard to live without the ease of use that McIntosh provides once you're used to it!
hanshhh's avatar
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hanshhh OP
17 posts
 
The search is over...after much soul searching and considering my bank account I finally settled for a ModWright LS 100 with phono. I have already ordered sophia electric 6SN7 for the line stage and CIFTE 12AU7X for the phono. With my tube modded OPPO 83 (also ModWright) I run Amperex NOS 6SN7 tubes and it made a significant improvement over the stock Tung-Sols. It took the glare out of voices. Thanks to everybody for the valued input. Well the search is over for the time being at least....as "best sound" seems to be a journey not a goal one ever reaches.
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mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
Great choice. I love my LS100. Make sure you change out the 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier also.
shakedown
135 posts
 
Mofi???
what would you change the 5AR4 to??? and reason for doing so...thanks
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