A good Pre Amp please

[MikeMusic]

I've heard Martin T's Pass Labs - very good

I've been told
Croft
Modwright
(and Marco please help the one you told me with 3 initials - can't find it anywhere)
PS Audio must be good if anything like their P10

Don't have strong feelings either way for Valve or SS, unless my ears do

Will have clean power from the P10
Needs to receive from the Techie set up, below and the Rega Isis CDP
Needs to talk, at least for the next few months to my Naim 500 and Isobariks

Budget. Don't know but above is an indicator
I want a remote so the Croft starts at a disadvantage

[realysm42]

I'd have used Croft if he made them with balanced inputs and outputs (asked the man months ago, he said he doesn't work with them).

[purite audio]

I've heard Martin T's Pass Labs - very good

I've been told
Croft
Modwright
(and Marco please help the one you told me with 3 initials - can't find it anywhere)
PS Audio must be good if anything like their P10

Don't have strong feelings either way for Valve or SS, unless my ears do

Will have clean power from the P10
Needs to receive from the Techie set up, below and the Rega Isis CDP
Needs to talk, at least for the next few months to my Naim 500 and Isobariks

Budget. Don't know but above is an indicator
I want a remote so the Croft starts at a disadvantage
A valve and solid state pre are going to sound quite different, you really need to try everything in your own system.
Keith.

[MikeMusic]

I'd have used Croft if he made them with balanced inputs and outputs (asked the man months ago, he said he doesn't work with them).
Martin T will only have balanced. I'd be happy with either if I don't sacrifice anything

[MikeMusic]

A valve and solid state pre are going to sound quite different, you really need to try everything in your own system.
Keith.
Throw a manufacturers names at me !
Assume I'm spending serious dough so will want them to hear together

[realysm42]

I'd like pass labs stuff, but it's always in silver (serious point to consider when buying a system, I know).

Everything I own is black with blue leds :cool:

[John]

Do you want go active or passive
The best valued preamp I had in my system is based on the Slagle AVC http://www.enjoythemusic.com/diy/0611/slagle_autoformer_volume_control_modules.htm This is the DIY version to make it accessible to the DIY Community
This is a quote from enjoy the music
"A recent comparison with the new $3,000 Ayre K-5xe preamp shows that like many passives, it gives up some mid-bass impact but not bass extension. There's gobs of detail with creamy smooth mids and highs. In my opinion, this is the way to go for high-end sound on a budget".
With my set up no issues with mid bass impact as a person that enjoys music that is quite heavy, this would be against what I am trying to achieve

[MikeMusic]

You're as daft as me !
:)

Yes Black is good.
LEDs usually covered up here

[MikeMusic]

Do you want go active or passive
The best valued preamp I had in my system is based on the Slagle AVC
Didn't even know Pre Amps came as passive or active !
My ears would decide
I want a working box. Don't have the skills or the time for making my own

[wee tee cee]

I followed in jerries (jandl) footsteps and bought a tisbury audio passive pre,,,,,its outstanding regardless of price and they will configure it to your needs-mated with a croft phono preamp!
No remote and is about the size of two fag packets......but if its just about the music?

Just a thought!

[John]

Swings and roundabouts to actives vs passive. Active usually cost a bit more to get right but that extra gain they have can come in handy. Passive have a wonderful transparency but have to system match well to get the best out of them imo

[realysm42]

You're as daft as me !
:)

Yes Black is good.
LEDs usually covered up here

Yeah I use those led dimmer stickers, indispensable bits of kit :)

[Spectral Morn]

Martin T will only have balanced. I'd be happy with either if I don't sacrifice anything

:eek: I am probably picking this up wrong but what Martin has or doesn't have is in my view pretty irrelevant, as what he has is as a result of very careful listening over time and arriving at what he now has. This system suits his ears, his other equipment, his music, his priorities, his budget and importantly his room.

In my view you are going about this the wrong way. What you want to do is select a pre and power balanced or other that suits your system etc and the pre will work with your existing kit temporarily until you can get the matching power amp but I suspect you may find yourself caught in a linn naim trap that means to escape you need to change the speakers too and not just the pre - power.

Upgrading piecemeal, without serious listening (in your home system) before buying will result more often than not in frustration, wasted money etc. Of course if you are a box swapper and happy to take pot luck then no worries, but I think you really need to make up your mind what you want before and aim for that and if that is Martin's set up then great but I would ask the question will Martin's gear work in your room? Maybe, maybe not.


Regards Neil

[Tim]

. . . what Martin has or doesn't have is in my view pretty irrelevant, as what he has is as a result of very careful listening over time and arriving at what he now has.
Couldn't agree more Neil and having heard Martin's system it is a reference system for his needs, listening tastes and room. Take your time folks and listen with your own ears, with your own music and most importantly in your own rooms before making a decision or parting with your cash ;)

[Spectral Morn]

Couldn't agree more Neil and having heard Martin's system it is a reference system for his needs, listening tastes and room. Take your time folks and listen with your own ears, with your own music and most importantly in your own rooms before making a decision or parting with your cash ;)

Hi Tim

I thought for a minute I was being a bit harsh, but years in retail and watching the same sort of thing in forums never ends well, as the headlong rush into changing kit without careful, methodical listening usually results in money flushed down the loo as systems end up being totally un- synergistic and the change for change sake, or to try and put right a set up/system flaw won't work with a band aid approach - sorry but that's how I see it, and have sadly seen it way too many times in the past - all that wasted cash!!!!

Regards Neil

[walpurgis]

I'd like pass labs stuff, but it's always in silver (serious point to consider when buying a system, I know).

Everything I own is black with blue leds :cool:

I've got a Forte Model 2 from Nelson Pass and it's in black. It's a pure Class A design and sounds amazing. It's also up for sale (sorry for the blatant sales pitch). Here's a link to a review: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rprea&1029987465&&&/Forte-Model-2-Preamplifier-

[hifi_dave]

After using (and selling) more megabuck USA amps than I can name, I can thoroughly recommend a Croft or Albarry pre. No remote, no hype, no fancy pakaging, no expensive casework, no distributor profit, no shipping costs - nothing but great sound.

[MikeMusic]

I followed in jerries (jandl) footsteps and bought a tisbury audio passive pre,,,,,its outstanding regardless of price and they will configure it to your needs-mated with a croft phono preamp!
No remote and is about the size of two fag packets......but if its just about the music?

Just a thought!
<Looks around>
Surely that price cannot compete with the 'serious' stuff
Great VFM I can understand but out performing £100s or £1000s boxes .... ?

[loo]

Surely that price cannot compete with the 'serious' stuff
Great VFM I can understand but out performing £100s or £1000s boxes .... ?
Don't be put off by the price in the right set up a passive really can be the last word sound wise.
Don't forget it's only a stepped antenuator and selector switch no circuit or components to add to the cost and of course no bling factor.
Having said that though my choice would be a Graaf GM13.5B II , my favourite pre:)

[MikeMusic]

Swings and roundabouts to actives vs passive. Active usually cost a bit more to get right but that extra gain they have can come in handy. Passive have a wonderful transparency but have to system match well to get the best out of them imo

Thanks John
System changes in the future may be a problem then
Do either of them have any maintenance issues ?

[MikeMusic]

Yeah I use those led dimmer stickers, indispensable bits of kit :)

Black card for me. We had some in stock for years and it wasn't going anywhere fast :)

[MikeMusic]

:eek: I am probably picking this up wrong but what Martin has or doesn't have is in my view pretty irrelevant, as what he has is as a result of very careful listening over time and arriving at what he now has. This system suits his ears, his other equipment, his music, his priorities, his budget and importantly his room.

In my view you are going about this the wrong way. What you want to do is select a pre and power balanced or other that suits your system etc and the pre will work with your existing kit temporarily until you can get the matching power amp but I suspect you may find yourself caught in a linn naim trap that means to escape you need to change the speakers too and not just the pre - power.

Upgrading piecemeal, without serious listening (in your home system) before buying will result more often than not in frustration, wasted money etc. Of course if you are a box swapper and happy to take pot luck then no worries, but I think you really need to make up your mind what you want before and aim for that and if that is Martin's set up then great but I would ask the question will Martin's gear work in your room? Maybe, maybe not.


Regards Neil
Short cutting.
I've heard the logic behind balanced and I could be persuaded.
If it out performed by non balanced then that wins the day
When I heard his system I was gob smacked compared to what I had at the time

I will want home demos unless something is going for a fire sale price and can be moved on

The Naim trap I'm well aware of and that could be a PITA

[Ali Tait]

I've got a Forte Model 2 from Nelson Pass and it's in black. It's a pure Class A design and sounds amazing. It's also up for sale (sorry for the blatant sales pitch). Here's a link to a review: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rprea&1029987465&&&/Forte-Model-2-Preamplifier-

How much are you looking for Geoff? Any more details and pics? PM if you wish.

[MikeMusic]

Couldn't agree more Neil and having heard Martin's system it is a reference system for his needs, listening tastes and room. Take your time folks and listen with your own ears, with your own music and most importantly in your own rooms before making a decision or parting with your cash ;)

I've heard his system, playing some of my own albums and it is superb.
I will be having home demos.
What may be awkward is assembling various boxes together

[walpurgis]

How much are you looking for Geoff? Any more details and pics? PM if you wish.

Hi Ali, PM to come with piccies when I've taken some.

[Ali Tait]

Cheers.

[MikeMusic]

I've got a Forte Model 2 from Nelson Pass and it's in black. It's a pure Class A design and sounds amazing. It's also up for sale (sorry for the blatant sales pitch). Here's a link to a review: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rprea&1029987465&&&/Forte-Model-2-Preamplifier-
Be interested to know the price and a pic of the front and rear too please !

[MikeMusic]

After using (and selling) more megabuck USA amps than I can name, I can thoroughly recommend a Croft or Albarry pre. No remote, no hype, no fancy pakaging, no expensive casework, no distributor profit, no shipping costs - nothing but great sound.

No remote is a pain, but I'd be interested
Can you point me at the models please
Could I have them to test ?

[MikeMusic]

Don't be put off by the price in the right set up a passive really can be the last word sound wise.
Don't forget it's only a stepped antenuator and selector switch no circuit or components to add to the cost and of course no bling factor.
Having said that though my choice would be a Graaf GM13.5B II , my favourite pre:)

Well I'd compare them. Have a barrier to overcome with the price, but I'm a cheapskate so could get over that :)

[walpurgis]

Be interested to know the price and a pic of the front and rear too please !

Just offered it to Ali. If he doesn't have it I'll get back to you Mike.

[MikeMusic]

Just offered it to Ali. If he doesn't have it I'll get back to you Mike.

No prob's
I'm not in a rush either as the last upgrades took me up a league or 3

[DSJR]

The ATC preamps were beautifully UK crafted and made and at least one of them offers remote control. They look the price asked too, so you won't feel cheated...

[realysm42]

I couldn't use that anyway as my system only takes balanced.

[MikeMusic]

The ATC preamps were beautifully UK crafted and made and at least one of them offers remote control. They look the price asked too, so you won't feel cheated...

Thanks. One for the list

[Oldpinkman]

Every time I read a thread like this it gets me SOOOOOO frustrated that I can't bang Owen's and Arthur's heads together to produce Pip 2, even if only in limited numbers. I appreciate its not easy, they both have other priorities, and there are some "history" issues to sort out, it wouldn't be cheap, and folk are quite welcome to decide they prefer something else, but not to have the opportunity. A shocking, shameful waste really :(

[Mr. C]

All pre amps are class 'a' in reality.

[hifinutt]

don`t forget puresound pre`s , very nicely made and sound damm good for the money

[MikeMusic]

don`t forget puresound pre`s , very nicely made and sound damm good for the money

Thanks another to the list, which is now
Albarry
ATC
Croft
ECS
Modwright
Pass Labs
PS Audio
Puresound

Now how am I going to get to hear this lot sitting in my system...............