Suggestions for other Preamp's under $5K? Put your brake's on and hold tight for the remarkable, about to be released in December, the Spread Spectrum Technologies Thoebe II Preamp with all the circuit wizardry of legendary circuit designer James Bongiorno. The Thoebe II is about 90% of the Ambrosia performance which has smoked and blown away in the past Preamp's in the $10K to $15K range. For the first time, since Wyred4Sound now owns and builds the Spread Spectrum piece's, one will have the choice of the Wyred4Sound STP-SE 2 Pre upgrade or the much more attractive Thoebe II for $3K. I'd go with the Thoebe II over the Wyred. Nice looking stuff.
K&K Pre amplifier
Kevin at K&K sells a preamp kit under the name Raleigh. I believe that Raleigh is another small manufacturer, whom Kevin works with. I have used his phono kit for some 7 or 8 years now and am more than happy with it, a great unit.
I have been using an ARC reference 75 for over a year now, with a very good passive pre. It is a self build copy of the Music First Audio baby reference, with the same transformers. When I bought the ARC, I briefly compared this unit with the ARC reference 3 pre. It was'nt a proper comparison, but I think I preferred my unit. It does lack a bit in the macro dynamics department though and I am wondering about trying a tubed pre.
Has anyone used the K&K unit, there are'nt any reviews of it I can find. Other suggestions for a unit under $5000, including second hand, would be welcome. Another thought was the Audio Horizons pre, frequently commented on, in this forum.
Thanks David
I have been using an ARC reference 75 for over a year now, with a very good passive pre. It is a self build copy of the Music First Audio baby reference, with the same transformers. When I bought the ARC, I briefly compared this unit with the ARC reference 3 pre. It was'nt a proper comparison, but I think I preferred my unit. It does lack a bit in the macro dynamics department though and I am wondering about trying a tubed pre.
Has anyone used the K&K unit, there are'nt any reviews of it I can find. Other suggestions for a unit under $5000, including second hand, would be welcome. Another thought was the Audio Horizons pre, frequently commented on, in this forum.
Thanks David