A bit overwhelmed, need preamp advice


Hello! New Guy here...

I think the pre-amp must be the most challenging component to buy. It's like the master controller and brains of the whole system and I am having a hard time with narrowing my choices down and was looking for some advice.

When I setup my home theater system it was a much easier decision and I ended up with a Proceed AVP-S. Well, I've been selling all my HT gear and want to move back to a simple but very musical two channel setup.

Speakers are Snell B-Minors, my amp is a Bryston 4B-SST, and the front end is a California Audio Labs CL-25 but I am getting rid of the Proceed and the Cal Audio and moving to a RAID1 music server setup that I've built and ripped my 2000 CD's to Flac with exact audio copy.

I need to find a replacement for the Proceed and the only thing that will be connected to the pre-amp is a Musical Fidelity M1DAC.

The Proceed is a little on the dry analytic side, and I was looking for something that would add a bit of warmth, focus and 3 dimensionality and better depth and soundstaging. But not too much warmth and bloom!

One of the challenges is that whatever I get, the bass has to be pretty controlled which is why I got the Bryston. The Snell's have a 12" woofer and the Bryston is able to really take control of it.

My budget is about $1500 usd and I'm looking for some suggestions.

I was thinking of the Rogue Metis Preamplifier with the Magnum upgrades for $1,495.

Or the Placette Passive linestage with the remote for $1595.00

I was hoping I could get some thoughts from folks that have had these and let me know what you thought. The other thing is what are the downsides to a passive linestage? I've heard you give up dynamics for transparency and I'm not sure I can live with that.

I listen to literally all kinds of music so a good soundstage, accuracy, musicality, and dynamic range is important. Sorry for rambling but please chime in if you have any thoughts.

Thanks,

David
davidwjones
David,
In your price range I`ve read many rave comments on the Doge8 tube preamp.
-Goldprintaudio:
No I am definately open to used items as long as it is easy for me to get them serviced and the item is relatively low maintenance. I have some questions I'd like to ask you so I'll send you a pm.

-Ncarv:
You have Snell B-Minors! How cool. I've never run across anyone else that has had them. I've thought of upgrading them many times but I haven't come across anything that's not around $10,000 that would replace them. If you did replace them, what did you get?

-Thesoundhouse:
Yeah that is a real challenge for me. The only stores in my area are boutique very high end stores. So it's going to be pretty much sight unseen. I have gone through a lot of equipment that way, but it's part of the adventure I guess. If could afford a Pass Labs or ARC I would just get that, I have a great dealer in my area. If I could afford it I would just get the XP-20 from Pass. I have been keeping an eye out for a used Bryston BP-25.

-Timlub:
Hey man, I hadn't really thought of that before, duh! I am using JRiver Media 16 with Asio4all with the volume control bypassed because I understood using it threw away bits, but once the M1DAC is in the chain, the results could be interesting. I shall give that a go and see what happens. Right now I am waiting on a Logitech Touch, then the M1DAC then the pre-amp. The server is not in the main listening room. I will definately check that out first.

-Charles1dad:
Thanks Charles, I will check that out, I am definately leaning towards a tube pre in my price range, thanks for the recommendation.
The Doge 8 is undoubtedly the best preamp under $2,500. It lists at about $1,500 and is available from Pacific Valve. It is beautifully constructed and also has a very good phono stage.

Greg
If you are interested in Pass, maybe give Mark at Reno Hifi a ring. He has a great trial policy and may have something used in your price range. Believe he also has a sale on this month.

Another pre I would look at is a Modwright 9.0. Used it will be in yourprice range
I second the Modwright 9.0. Be sure to try the Raytheon "red label" 5687 tubes from the 60's. (nice organic sound)