Recommend me a SS pre.....

Interesting the OP started the thread made one post , Joe asked him for a price point and we never got a price and all of a sudden we have a price vs quality. so ! here we are
 
Well that just tells me there are a lot of ASs really wanting to share information/opinions! A good thing.
 
Low end of the price range Bryston BP26, or if your looking to spend more look at accuphase or esoteric.


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Well I did own a AR LS17se ($5500) not a $10k device, but I kept the W4S pre ,it just worked nicely in my system and didn't add any sonic texture which is what I was after. Would a AR Ref 6 at $14k been $12,000 better, I'll never know since I could not afford it anyway, But I always wanted to try the little PASS Labs Xp-10 . Also my little Quicksilve linestage ($1,000 used) such a simple device and it sounds so nice.
 
Randy Myers said:
I have not, but I have read reviewers who have and I am fairly certain Mr. Joe has, please correct me if I am wrong.
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I’ve had many and the stp-se can hang with some of the best, under the right circumstances. I do a majority of listening at low volumes and I am pretty excited about my LTA MZ2 right now, specifically for those low level late night listening sessions. As much as I loved my CJ GAT, I could never get the right level. Either it was too loud or too low and even on step 1 it was sometimes not right for me. Everything in context matters. I can’t see anything right now being better for me than my MZ2.
 
Many thanks for the suggestions - I'll follow up on the ones I can get hold of here in the UK.

To clear up the point on price.....I deliberately didn't set a budget because I don't have one - I'm in the very fortunate position of having no strict limit. That said, I do have a strong sense of value for money.

I'll likely run in single ended mode.
 
Oh wow... that must be something pretty special. I know how much you loved your Ayres gear.
 
joeinid said:
Yes, I'm really happy but still trying to stop the obsession.
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Joe are you using the stock tubes in your MicroZOTL2.0. I read in this article "" rolled in my pair of NOS Tung-Sol black glass, oval plate 1947 6SN7 along with a pair of NOS Gold Brand Sylvania 1957 12AT7, the performance went to an even higher level of performance across the board.""
 
No stock tubes.

When I ordered it, I got the 12SN(?) tubes and a few other of their 12AT/12AU tubes. I later found out that the 12SN series tubes are really only for the headphone output, I think and need to really find out.

Once I thought it was broken in, I swapped in a pair of Mullard 12AU7 tubes from Upscale to lower the gain a bit and according to everything I read - to soften/sweeten the top end with them. They are definitely way better.

I have not done too much tube rolling but am really happy with how it sounds now. Sure I could actually stand a bit more sweetening/softening, but that's just my personal preference showing through. If I got it that way, I am afraid I may not like as much. It's just a hunch.

There are times I just can not believe what I am hearing. Especially at night, at lower to mid volumes, it's simply outstanding with my MC303, A36 and Triodes. OMG! For under $2200 delivered, you can have everything else. Add another $125-ish for the Mullards and sit back and enjoy. Open, dynamic, sweet, quiet, depth, 3D, lit from within, separation and a big smile from me.

I will try and find those tubes you mention. I sometimes find it confusing trying to get tubes.



CPP said:
Joe are you using the stock tubes in your MicroZOTL2.0. I read in this article "" rolled in my pair of NOS Tung-Sol black glass, oval plate 1947 6SN7 along with a pair of NOS Gold Brand Sylvania 1957 12AT7, the performance went to an even higher level of performance across the board.""
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Joe

If you want to further "sweeten/soften" the sound the Sylvanias will take you in the other direction and raise the gain. In addition to the Mullard's you could try your Raytheon's or even late 50's early 60's RCA black plate 12AU7's. For the 6SN7's the Tung Sol's are pretty neutral similar to Hytron. For the direction you are wanting to go RCA from the same era as the 12AU7's have that sound. Great bass and smoother top end. The best selection and advice for those tubes would be from Andy at VTS. Also the descriptions of the tubes on his website is pretty spot on. Just what my ears hear based on rolling with amps, preamps and tube DAC's.
 
All great info Jack. Thank you. I'll contact Andy and see what he has to recommend. It's worth trying something else.

Jack said:
Joe

If you want to further "sweeten/soften" the sound the Sylvanias will take you in the other direction and raise the gain. In addition to the Mullard's you could try your Raytheon's or even late 50's early 60's RCA black plate 12AU7's. For the 6SN7's the Tung Sol's are pretty neutral similar to Hytron. For the direction you are wanting to go RCA from the same era as the 12AU7's have that sound. Great bass and smoother top end. The best selection and advice for those tubes would be from Andy at VTS. Also the descriptions of the tubes on his website is pretty spot on. Just what my ears hear based on rolling with amps, preamps and tube DAC's.
Click to expand...
 
Dang, you got me thinking about the MicroZOTL2.0 Joe :). The only thing that might be a problem for me is I wish it had 2 or three outputs. To the Job 225 (yes I have fallen in love with this amp again), but also to the sub, and would be nice to keep the Bryston BHA-1 hooked, but that can be handled by switching cables... the sub might be an issue though.
 
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