Best full function Pre Amp?

[Etunes]

The basic criteria is must have a reference level MC phono stage. Can be SS or tube. Like to have a remote but not a deal breaker.

I've owned

VAC Signature MK2a
Dartzeel pre both new and old
Audionet DNP
THORESS full function pre
Doshi FF PRE 2.1

Short list
Soulution
VAC Master
Shindo ? Might not have ref level phono ? Thoughts?

Any suggestions?

Thx

[Mike]

VAC Master --> because I know the Phonostage in it is world class. It's rare to find a world class Phonostage in such a world class linestage.


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[XV-1]

With what you have tried from your list of which a couple are known to best the best of breed- time to listen to a preamp plus phono stage.


Cj GAT for the preamp to start.

[tom_hankins]

The AudioNet DNP w/either of the outboard power supplies is about as full function, and sonically world class as you can get. The DAC, phonostage, and streamer are excellent. Not sure what your looking for to get better, but I like the VAC Master and Soulution.
Depending which you liked better when you owned them, if DNP I would go for the Soulution. If the VAC I'd get the Vac Master.

[Etunes]

With what you have tried from your list of which a couple are known to best the best of breed- time to listen to a preamp plus phono stage.


Cj GAT for the preamp to start.

You raise a great point. Is my convience factor limiting my options and is true reference pre plus phono pre?

[Etunes]

The AudioNet DNP w/either of the outboard power supplies is about as full function, and sonically world class as you can get. The DAC, phonostage, and streamer are excellent. Not sure what your looking for to get better, but I like the VAC Master and Soulution.
Depending which you liked better when you owned them, if DNP I would go for the Soulution. If the VAC I'd get the Vac Master.

The DNP is a stellar performer on all fronts no doubt. I would still have it had I not been chasing that tube warmth sound. So to your point I am leaning towards tubes. Any other options other than VAC? Would love to have a list of FF pres.

[Mike]

You raise a great point. Is my convience factor limiting my options and is true reference pre plus phono pre?

With the exception of the VAC, I think, generally, yes. But the VAC Master makes a compelling "all-in-one" argument.

[tom_hankins]

The DNP is a stellar performer on all fronts no doubt. I would still have it had I not been chasing that tube warmth sound. So to your point I am leaning towards tubes. Any other options other than VAC? Would love to have a list of FF pres.

I have yet to hear a preamp w/on board phonostage as good as the same preamp with the companies separate phonostage. Tube or SS. I think it's trade off you're going to have to make to get it all in one.

[bonzo]

E tunes, can you please comment on the phono and pre capabilities of the ones you owned?

Also, most seem to own VaC, AR, CJ, VTL in non SET systems. Has anyone heard these as a pre in set based horn systems and how do they sound

[RDSChicago]

I'm using a CJ ET3 SE with an Bel Canto 845 SET and enjoying it very much.

[Glareskin]

I think the Octave HP 700 is doing everything you are looking for. Tubes included.
http://www.octave.de/en/htdocs/verstaerker/hp700.php

[Alpinist]

The Soulution 520 has a very high quality linestage and phonostage. But I would agree with Mike that the VAC Master's phonostage is world class and a zero compromise design to go with its linestage. I owned the 520 and had an in-home audition of the VAC Master.

Ken

[bonzo]

Has Mike ever used his VAC pre with SETs on the horns?

[Mike]

Has Mike ever used his VAC pre with SETs on the horns?

Yes. The VAC Pre worked great.

[Etunes]

E tunes, can you please comment on the phono and pre capabilities of the ones you owned?

Also, most seem to own VaC, AR, CJ, VTL in non SET systems. Has anyone heard these as a pre in set based horn systems and how do they sound

Sure I will give it a shot but probably not as descriptive as most I've read.

Still enjoying the VAC and it checks all the boxes but is not as quite as the Dart. Also seems to have a volume sweet spot meaning 90% of my listening falls right around the 40 to 45% volume level. Strange but true. I rolled the stock Chinese tubes for some NOS Amperex Bugle boys to great positive effect on the line stage portion but very small improvement on the phono stage.
The new Dartzeel was stellar on all fronts . I sold it because I had a hankering for a tube line/phono and because my system often sits for weeks while I'm on business travel and had a hard time justifying the expense.
The DNP belongs in a SS system but again everything is there.
The Doshi was sometime ago and I sold it when I sold my Wilson Sasha's. Love the Doshi sound with Wilsons especially.
Lastly the Thoress while very good did not fit in the system primarily a gain issue. Sonically very similar to the Doshi to my ears. This piece is a great value as it has the guts of the Thoress Phono Enhancer but serves double duty as a line pre.

[Etunes]

I think the Octave HP 700 is doing everything you are looking for. Tubes included.
http://www.octave.de/en/htdocs/verstaerker/hp700.php

Sweet!

Looks really great. Interesting to see tone controls . Would love to hear sonic impressions on the phono section. I will do some more investigating.

Thx for posting

[Kingsrule]

An ARC SP-10 is still one of the best full function preamps.....

[bonzo]

thanks, good summary, that sweet spot in VAC I read is due to the Alps potentiometer rather than stepped resistors in the VC.

Sure I will give it a shot but probably not as descriptive as most I've read.

Still enjoying the VAC and it checks all the boxes but is not as quite as the Dart. Also seems to have a volume sweet spot meaning 90% of my listening falls right around the 40 to 45% volume level. Strange but true. I rolled the stock Chinese tubes for some NOS Amperex Bugle boys to great positive effect on the line stage portion but very small improvement on the phono stage.
The new Dartzeel was stellar on all fronts . I sold it because I had a hankering for a tube line/phono and because my system often sits for weeks while I'm on business travel and had a hard time justifying the expense.
The DNP belongs in a SS system but again everything is there.
The Doshi was sometime ago and I sold it when I sold my Wilson Sasha's. Love the Doshi sound with Wilsons especially.
Lastly the Thoress while very good did not fit in the system primarily a gain issue. Sonically very similar to the Doshi to my ears. This piece is a great value as it has the guts of the Thoress Phono Enhancer but serves double duty as a line pre.

[Rossb]

EAR 912. Reference level preamp and phono stage with two phono inputs.

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum Ross, thank you for joining.

[Rossb]

Thanks, Joe.

[joeinid]

I love EAR gear. Amazing sound for the price.

[Etunes]

EAR 912. Reference level preamp and phono stage with two phono inputs.

Great recommendation anyone have any experience with this Pre?

[Rossb]

Great recommendation anyone have any experience with this Pre?

Well, I do - I am using one at the moment. Excellent preamp - highly resolving, huge soundstage and very dynamic. It is slightly lean and fast, and tonally neutral, so definitely not for someone looking for a warm, lush tube sound. The phono stage, which is identical to the standalone 88PB is also excellent, and accepts two phono inputs, both MM and MC, and is adjustable for just about any cartridge. It has two single ended balanced and unbalanced outputs, and is well-built, quiet and very reliable.

Assuming the sonic signature is one that appeals to you - and obviously a fast, lean tube sound is not for everyone - it is highly recommended.

[Etunes]

Well, I do - I am using one at the moment. Excellent preamp - highly resolving, huge soundstage and very dynamic. It is slightly lean and fast, and tonally neutral, so definitely not for someone looking for a warm, lush tube sound. The phono stage, which is identical to the standalone 88PB is also excellent, and accepts two phono inputs, both MM and MC, and is adjustable for just about any cartridge. It has two single ended balanced and unbalanced outputs, and is well-built, quiet and very reliable.

Assuming the sonic signature is one that appeals to you - and obviously a fast, lean tube sound is not for everyone - it is highly recommended.

Thanks and welcome to AS. Sounds like a nice pre and worth having an audition. Really digging its retro look.