Best full function Pre Amp?

Etunes

Etunes

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Apr 19, 2013
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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
 
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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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. :)
 
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.
 
XV-1 said:
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. :)
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You raise a great point. Is my convience factor limiting my options and is true reference pre plus phono pre?
 
tom_hankins said:
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.
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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.
 
Etunes said:
You raise a great point. Is my convience factor limiting my options and is true reference pre plus phono pre?
Click to expand...

With the exception of the VAC, I think, generally, yes. But the VAC Master makes a compelling "all-in-one" argument.
 
Etunes said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

2014081707485025.jpg
 
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 said:
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
Click to expand...

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

Etunes said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
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