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Battle of the phone pres for my system.

I have a Yamaha GT-750 with a Hana SH mk 1. I had it running into my Musical Fidelity A1 and listened through Dynaudio Evoke 20 speakers. I have tinnitus so I listen off-axis and liked the sound. I had ordered a Decware Zrock3 and hadn't considered when I ordered it how I was going to use it. When if finally came, I realized I could only use it with my transport and DAC )and it was worth every penny.)

A friend lent me their Manley Chinook so I could see how it would work with my analog front end and the Manley/Decware combo was pretty sweet. I can't afford a Manley and after removing the Zrock3 and going head to head with the A1 didn't make me feel that I wouldn't choose it anyway. After casting about, I was all set on getting a 834 clone and putting in some nice tubes. Then I read about the Softone Model 4 and saw systems like @lalitk and @macg19 . It sounds like what I would want if I put some Mullards in it (though hopefully cheaper ones). I ran across many others who could afford a more expensive phono pre using the Softtone. 

As I was searching, the google AI wanted to help so bad that I asked it what it thought. It said the Softone would match better with my equipment and gave a bunch of reasons that were things I hadn't thought of, like gain matching and cumulative power running through the system. It seemed to think that 834 would be more problematic and too much syrup.

I told AI to make the 834 work or I would delete it from the internet, and it told me to put a 5751 (less gain because of the Hana's output coming in) in V1, then a Raytheon then a Mullard. Or something like that for gain and sound differences taking into account my tinnitus and to match my system. It seemed sound thinking, but again, stuff I hadn't considered. I didn't write it down, but it made me wonder. It congratulated me on my awesome thinking on putting together my amazing system. I closed the browser to make it forget this ever happened.

I figured I thought I would ask real people what they thought since I'd prefer empirical evidence over data surfing. The other point in favor of the Softone is that it's a real product and not an aliexpress special, though plenty of people are happy with their clones, all are one and one are all. 

Thanks.

 

letch
letch OP
134 posts
 

@lalitk 

I'll dig out the box and see what power cord is inside. I probably ignored it. Thanks for the tip. I think as I play a little more we'll see what the tubes bring as they burn in a little more. I'm on a break after two days of listening to records. My left ear is very unhappy with me. 

@audphile1 

I was thinking about the ML as long as it can use the the Softone's MC stage. I'm not unhappy about where I'm at now but, yes, if I could try it, that would be good. The expenses I've racked up in the Softone and tubes and my upcoming vacation mean it would be a fall trial. 

@pindac 

I was unfamiliar with Skyanalog, I'm reading reviews right now. Sounds interesting. Thanks!

Next steps: I bought an adapter and a Mullard to change the tube in my Orchid DAC and now that my setup is complete with my rack and components, I want to get rid of my large and/or unwieldy power cables for something custom made to just the length I need. A friend lent me a Manley Skipjack so I could flip between the Orchid and the Softone to the Zrock3 more easily. But the cable madness that ensued had me saying, "No, thanks." I can unplug and move interconnects more easily. Almost there.

But part of me still wants to buy that Ear clone and try it out...

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,169 posts
 

@letch in your setup it would most likely need to be the high output MH and not the ML. Recommended load impedance is 47k which is same as your SH. 

pindac's avatar
pindac
4,051 posts
 

@letch Great to see that  you took time to look into Skyanalog.

My own following info on the Brand, leaves me of the view, the Brand is worthy of seeking out a demo. At the least added to a Shortlist of Cart' choices worth considering.

For certain models in the $1K - $2K price. there is enough wtitten info to be found, to suggest the models are performers comparable to models from other brands that cost quite a bit more. 

lewm
14,720 posts
 

Latch, just curious about what adapter and what Mullard you’ve added. I assume the adapter is in order to use the Mullard of one type vs whatever was there originally of a different type.

letch OP
134 posts
 

@lewm 

Garage 1217 adapter and a Mullard 6922 CV2492 tube from 1966. It’s not quite the same impact as the tubes in the phone stage. I’m letting it warm up a bit. I’ve blown out my ears with two much listening over the last few days so I’m taking some time off. Took my speakers cables in for re-termination from my hack job. They should be done by Friday or Saturday so I’ll listen to the tube in the DAC more then. I tried some Isoacoustic Bronzes under my transport, which did tighten things up, but not in a way I like so they’re going back.

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