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Help - Need Preamp under 5K for Class D amps

I’ve been looking at preamps for some time now and now that I’ve finally taken delivery of some audiophile quality speakers it time to find this device.
My current setup is as follows:

Line Arrays in the form of AV123 LS-6’s driven by a pair of Nuforce 9 SEV2’s. No pre in the signal path. Source is a Slim devices Transporter. All files EAC ripped FLAC lossless compression.
AC services:
VH-Audio power cords service the Nuforce’s in Flavor 4 version as well as the Power conditioner. Dedicated circuit utilizing a Furutech outlet and Furutech silver IEC connectors, Furutech gold plugs on the opposite end on power cords except on the Transporter end where I use a Oyaide 079.

Adona Rack and a considerable amount of room treatments.

So what I hear while sitting on the couch is a pretty resolving system with pinpoint imaging, a decent amount of bloom, dynamics galore and a generally pleasing sound except… I’m not quite where I want to be in terms of just being able to relax into the music. I’d like a bit more air, or bloom or warmth? Sorry I don’t have the right description but perhaps the fact that I have NO pre is the problem in general. Overall sound seems to be a bit clinical. Maybe that’s the word.

This is why I ask the help of my audiophile brothers and sisters here. Running my MAC RCA Palladiums’ doesn’t improve this much over the balanced cables I own which are DH-Labs DIYers. Having a home theatre system in tow that utilizes the Nuforce’s as well I find myself constantly moving interconnect cables which is annoying at best.

I’ve been looking at Dan’s Modwright 36.5 and auditioned one from a fellow Audiogon seller. I couldn’t get a handle on it’s attributes from that audition – too different a system not to mention that I didn’t like what I was hearing from his setup. Others pre’s I’ve been interested in are as follows:

Parasound Halo JC-2 – No tubes but does that really matter?
Aesthetix Calypso
Audio Horizons 2.1
Modwright 36.5
Other?

Thanks for your advice.
128x128desalvo55

Showing 7 responses by grannyring

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
The TRL Dude would be the best of the group you mentioned.I have heard/owned the first two on your list and the Dude easily surpassed them. Loved my AH 2.1, but the Dude is much better in my system and room.

No remote option however. Also not likely to find it used here. $3500 new.

I would think the Dude is a great match to the more "detailed/clean" sounding amps you have.

I have not heard the Lamm LL2 but based on all the reviews and comments it might be a great mate with your amps.

I think a pre with beautiful and meaty mids would be ideal for you. Dude and LL2 would fit the bill well.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
In general tubes will get you more midrange warmth and bloom. But this is not always the case. I am sure the TRL will give you this while also improving a host of other things we all want in our sound systems.

If $2500 was was budget, then I would say the AH 2.1 and Lamm used are your best choices. But if you can spend $3500 I am not aware of a better pre for what you are trying to accomplish them the Dude by TRL.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
No info on the Tube Research Labs website. Just call Paul. He hand makes these and stands behind them. Also, when you buy from Paul he will always update your unit as changes are made.

Not as pretty looking as the Eklipse, but its the sound that matters.

Bill
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
The reason TRL's Dude is only $3500 is because they are a small company and they don't play games with the paid reviewers. They don't have a fancy wedsite and Paul is simply a great circuit designer.

There are other folks like me on this site and AA that can confirm how good his stuff is.

Sure, you can spend more money on a foreign piece that will be hard to service if needed and not sound as good.

The Dude is simply in a different league and will end one's desire to trade up or around. No, it is not eye candy nor a brand that you can boast on.

If remote and looks are needed, then the Dude is not your man. If you want beautiful music beyond what you thought was possible, then the Dude is the one for you.

Have fun. I am sure the other preamps mentioned will sound very good. I am sure you will enjoy one of them greatly. I have to. But the Dude and the 225 amp from TRL are really a breakthrough in home audio.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
One other idea for you. I think another good choice, for the money and to accomplish what you want when mated with your Nuforce amps, is the Cary SL98 tubed preamp. Having owned this I know it will give you the meaty mid bloom you desire. Very nice preamp for the money.

The AH 2.1 is also a wonderful choice, but is more neutral sounding then the Cary. My long time favorite preamp.

The Conrad Johnson LS 16 is also so meaty and full through the mids and would also fit the bill nicely. I owned this one also.

The Dude has all of attributes mentioned above, but offers so much more in term of bringing live, bold and powerful sounding music home.

Bill
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Desalvo55,

The good news is you can try an AH 2.1 and possibly a Dude and keep the one you like better. I think both offer a trial.

You can even buy a used Cary SL98, CJ LS16 etc and again keep the one you like and sell the other one.

I have done just this over the years and now know for myself which preamp giants are really fair, good and great.

My experience is most dealers won't do that, but the smaller direct companies will.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Hotbird.

I don't know you from Adam, but I can tell you I'm not odd. Well, not too odd. I have posted much on Agon and have owned lots of good gear. Please check my feedback and see I am not a "one note song on TRL" and am quite known to many on this site as both a buyer and seller.

Why would you call folks that like TRL gear odd? I think I know why. Seems those of us who have found very special gear from smaller , unknown companies are marginalized.
I knew when I starting posting of my amazing new find this would happen. Very sad to me. Many of us Audiophiles are to closed minded to really learn and discover.

I would be happy to send a pic of my Dude to those who would like it. Not sure how to do it in this thread - computer skills are marginal.

I have read the one or two negative posts and can say that has NOT been my experience with TRL. Seems some folks just can't stand the fact that a small company has come up with some of the best sounding gear regardless of price.

Paul at TRL actually updates any gear that is out there and brings them up to current spec as part of his service.
He has always retuned my emails and answered my calls.

Hotbird, I see you have no feedback?? Seems you are not a known quantity as yet. I don't know you and will cut you some slack, but please don't call me odd and suggest I push TRL as some sort of secret employee.

Audio abd music is fun for me and I share when excited about great gear.

Have fun.
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