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Specific Pre-Amp advice


I would really like to get some help from the Forum. Late 2017 early 2018 I am getting a new pre-amp. My options to hear gear are low (common issue). Probably be buying blind which I have done in the past in conjunction with research. Here is the run down. 

Budget: 2500 possibly pushed to 3k. Looking for used gear (pretty much ruling out new).

1. I am leaning heavily toward a tube pre.
2. I would like a remote but its not a deal breaker if it gets me better SQ
3. Line stage only. Don't really need a phono stage as I have a stand alone
4. It needs to be active. 
5. Feeding SS amp with 100k input impedance 
6. Primary used with Vinyl front end. Would like it to handle three sources. (Radio, Dac/CD and Input for TT)
7. 2 channel only no pass through needed or wanted. 
8. Single Ended RCA Connection. My amp does not have true balance connections 

Current System 

VPI Prime 
SS Aida Cart
MS Nova Phomoma 
Exposure 17
Exposure Dual Reg 4
Vienna Acoustic Mozart Grands 

I am looking to get more resolution. A more liquid sound. Bigger soundstage and get more of the recording space into my room. 

My preference is for an open/transparent neutral sound slightly tipped to the warm side in the highs. Slight roll off maybe. I like a fast quick musical sound with tight quick bass. Not looking for tube romance or rounded bass. I absolutely would like to stay away from bright sounding gear. Also super etched is not to my thing. I fall in the musicality camp. 

Any suggestions that would help me achieve this sound would be appreciated. These qualities defiantly take system matching into account. Pretty happy right now but I think I can do better.



darkstar1
abnerjack
288 posts
 
darkstar1,

I am thrilled with the HERRON AUDIO VTSP-3A  tube pre-amp, and you might be too.  I run mine through a solid state power amp.  When I was looking for a pre like you are, I don't think I was able to find anything but praise for the Herron.  Hifi Shark shows that they have sold used under 3K.

http://www.herronaudio.com/index.html
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
If the dealer is not that helpful, then forget him.  The entire brick store idea has got to provide something to keep the mail-order channel at bay.  So let him go out of business, and buy from one of the many places selling new on the internet, or a private party with used equipment.

I'm a fan of ARC.  They sweat the details.  many great components for < $2,500 tho
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
darkstar1

As you correctly said your dual 4 is 100kohm input impedance, which makes it a perfect match with the Schiit Freya in all modes.
As not only does it have a great impedance match, but if you look in your user manual you'll see it only needs 1.2v input for full wattage output, so it also has a very good input sensitivity for the Freya being low gain in all 3 modes. You don't need a preamp with high gain, you'll be using the volume control down near zero.

Cheers George 
darkstar1 OP
180 posts
 
nordicnorm

Wow those like nice. I am not really into amps for looks but those look amazing. Starting to see a trend in my research and your suggestion for preamps based of the  6SN7 tubes. 

I also am looking for and upfront presentation. I prefer first 10 row vantage point. My speakers are laid back so I want to overcome it with gear that has a more forward prospective. With my current setup I have achieved this and would like to continue it. 
darkstar1 OP
180 posts
 
Exposure Dual 4 Reg has 24db of gain according to the President. So fully passive may be out. My research in the past found a thread stating the amp was not a good candidate for passive pre-amps. 

Guess it now makes sense. 


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