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Suggestions for a holographic preamp?

I'm looking to replacing my Herron Audio tube line stage with something else, not because of a problem with the sound, but for a few other reasons.

I do both digital and analog, and have a Herron Audio tube phono preamp. My power amp is an MSB S-200, which is awesome, and my speakers are Marten Parker Duos, which are wonderful for a deep, holographic soundstage that I like so much.

I listen mostly to rock and reggae, and I'm looking to keep the price under $10K US, and I'm fine with a used one as well.

I get the feeling that I will need a tube preamp to get that holographic sound, but perhaps there are some SS ones that do as good a job?

The fellow I work with at The Music Room suggested a ModWright LS-100 or a used PS Audio BHK preamp; I've researched and they both look like they'd fit the bill, but I'd like to hear your suggestions, too! 

larsman
raysmtb1's avatar
raysmtb1
812 posts
 

Try space tech laboratory all hand built to your specifications. Amazing sound quality

xenolith's avatar
xenolith
211 posts
 

Turn any 6DJ8/6922/7308/6N23P based preamp into a more holographic machine by replacing those tubes with Western Electric 396a/2C51 (with adapters).

edit: the preamp won't be  more holographic, but the sounds coming out of your speakers will be 😀

scm
316 posts
 

@grannyring  stated this : "Best I have heard is a DHT tube preamp with a Tortuga LDR based attenuator".

Do you recall what was used in connection with the Tortuga ?

I`d like to check that out !!

rocray's avatar
rocray
1,541 posts
 

Hi @larsman, how are things going with the Aric Audio,and LTA pre’s? Have you settled on one,or are you rotating? 

larsman's avatar
larsman OP
3,146 posts
 

Hi @rocray, happy new year, and thanks for asking. Once I got the tube compliment sorted out, I liked both the Super 6SN7 and MicroZOTL about the same, and as you remembered, I figured I'd keep them both and alternate them month by month as they sound different enough.

Then I decided to try something and send the Super 6SN7 to Aric and got those upgrades he offers. That came back and I hooked it up, played about 10 seconds of a record I know very well, and said "This is no longer a fair fight - I'm putting the MicroZOTL up for sale." It's there on USAM. It's even great for playing hard-to-drive Susvara headphones to my relatively low-powered tube headphone amp; I just send it more juice from the Super 6SN7. Aric's a wizard with serious electronics mojo. yes

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