Should I Switch Preamps?


Hi all,  I've got the itch to change things up... I'll try not to make this too lengthy.  I've been using an Odd Coda preamp... when looking for a pre in 2010,  I contacted Doug at Coda.  At that time Coda was switching over from the Line Stage CL to a unit that has phono built in CP.... He had 1 CL circuit boards left, but was out of CL chassis's,  but had 1 Windows Continuum 4 Chassis.  So I own a Coda CL that looks like a Continuum 4.  At the time I had the very best Sumo Model Nine that I had ever seen... Back in the my Marcof/SpeakerCraft Days,  we used to Sell Sumo and Modded many.... I snagged a Nine and took it to Ed Martin of Marcof.... He looked at the circuit carefully at one time, he debated Jim B about some things in this amp,  but cost was an issue so the Nine Is what it Is.... Ed took this Nine and transformed it.   Well,  I had a lightening strike about 2 years ago and lost my Nine.  I purchased a Coda Unison 3.1 to use until I decided what to do.... You guys that know this Integrated know that it is 125 watts to 8 and 250 to 4 with the first 35 watts being Class A.....I finally took my Old Sumo to Ed,  the original outputs are obsolete.  he has found a Motorola that he can do a few mods to the amp  and make it work fine...  so I hope to get my old Sumo back with even more improvements soon....  
So my Coda CL.... Coda is so well known for their amps but you just don't hear much about their pre's.... Overall, I have been very happy with this, I've compared it to a Pass X10 and the very picky and Proud X10 owner ended up saying that he couldn't tell them apart. Which isn't surprising considering the Coda heritage.... 
Still,  I have the itch to try something else.... I've decided to sell my Coda integrated and my Coda Pre,  get another pre and use some home brewed Abletec Class D amps until my Sumo is back.... I'm just praying that I don't kick myself for letting my Coda go for a song and getting something that  don't like as well.  
So,  even though my thought has searched through tubes,  in the past,  I got tired of tube rolling and not leaving my pre on and I really think that I'm staying solid state...  My budget is preferred to at $1000 to maybe $1700....
My Shortlist as been:
Jeff Rowland Capri
Conrad Johnson Premier 18LS (but I'd like 2 sets of outputs for a sub)
Audio Research LS-12
Bel Canto Pre 2 or Pre 3
Lastly would consider a Classe Six or CP60 or possibly a Muse Model 3 Signature...
Overall, I prefer the rich organic textured mid range of tubes, but the frequency extensions of SS.  
Overall sound stage is as important to me as frequency balance... 
I've seen at one time or another, every pre on my list within my budget range.  Any opinions or other options are appreciated.  I will most likely list my Integrated and pre here on Agon first along with a Technics SP25 with an ATP-12T arm  that I have filled with dampening putty and it is quite dead.  
So My audiophile brothers and sisters,  please advise. 
Tim 








timlub

True, if you stick to one substance, it's hard to get high enough. I always purchase bunch of grades and flavors (at least 6 at a time) for that particular reason. I noted that even cheap brand can get you high as long as you keep swapin' :-)

Purchasing few...several preamps can probably keep you rollin' without an itch!

@czarivey 
Thanks for the reply.  Overall good advice.  Not sure that my lovely bride would be in for me spending $10,000 to $15,000 to stock a few pre's. 
we are blessed in life, our money is good and she doesn't argue much with my indulging in audio.  Yesterday, we spent a couple thousand at Lowes for the house... For some crazy reason, she finds stuff like that more important.  

I used to measure speed of my x-wife in the store by dollars per hour wasted. Now her speed decreased significantly after separation, but mind perhaps increased.

$10...15K is indeed too much, but you can have at least few cheap ones $3...500 ones.

Hi Czarivey,
I love my old women dearly,  not looking for an ex.... Hoping someone out there will give me good feedback on The Audio Research SS vs The Conrad Johnson SS Pre's....... My interest is piqued there.  I'd like to hear what these tubed companies have done with SS. I love the functionality of the Audio Research,  can't fine much published on its sound quality.  I believe the CJ will be something that I will most likely enjoy, but only 1 set of pre outs.  I'd have to split off the pre out to run a sub. 

I like multi-functionality as well.

One of the preamps that caught my eye was Tact RCS series. I don't think they're around anymore.