Pre amp shootout

[Colinijohnson]

For anyone who has followed my threads - here's a bit of an update as I conducted a "pre amp shootout" yesterday.
Current system = thorens td166bc/sme 3009 IV fixed/nagoaka mp150..Arkless pre amp.. rotel 950bx tuner... Cyrus 7 preamp.. musical fidelity cd & power amp 3.2 with js mods...Martin Logan motion 15 speakers.
To date the most pleasing upgrades have been 1. Getting the deck set up properly & buying the excellent Arkless pre amp & 2. Buying the excellent Martin Logan speakers with some great interconnects.
Thinking I could get more out of my musical fidelity 3.2 power amp with js mods - I tried using the following pre amps to test the differences....
Meridian 561 av (£160 on eBay)
Myryad z40 headphone amp (with pre amp) - £129 via Peter Tyson.
'Tisbury passive amp (loaned by a group member)
Compared with my Cyrus 7 too.
Results:
Initially the Myryad emerged with more detail, focus and soundstage certainly compared against the Cyrus 7. It was a closer run thing against the Meridian 561,- which over duration seemed more "relaxed" and listenable- especially at very high volumes- however bass and lower frequencies were not as defined and accurate as the Myryad. The more I compared, the more unsure I was! Anyway - given the Myryad has not been "burned in" and has an excellent headphone amp - this will now replace the Faithfull Cyrus 7. Will keep the Meridan for av options & back up.
The tisbury passive pre amp seemed to excel at extreme higher & lower frequencies - and although being quite detailed, I found the sound a bit characterless and flat! This could just be a mismatch with my power amp -
I think another member commented that changing the pre amp will not change much, but just sound "different". For the moment aside from buying some nice cans upgraditis is on hold while I enjoy the music.
I suspect if I wanted a serious improvement I'd have to invest serious money at the front end. Impressed with the Myryad though - Cyrus going.....
Any thoughts anyone?
Colin





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[Macca]

Try a better passive than the Tisbury. It gives you a taste of what a passive can do but there are much better (albeit more expensive) passives out there.

The quality of the pre-amp has a huge effect on the sound of a system, I doubt anyone would deny that.

[Colinijohnson]

Anyone any experience of this? They tailor the passive to your power amp - the 4 input version is about £300 I think
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130678286565


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[RothwellAudio]

For the moment aside from buying some nice cans upgraditis is on hold while I enjoy the music.

That's a good place to be :)

[RothwellAudio]

Anyone any experience of this? They tailor the passive to your power amp - the 4 input version is about £300 I think
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130678286565

Here's a quote from their ad:

"95% of all commercially available passive preamps "allow" your precious audio signal to flow through its volume control. This is the most difficult area for your signal to pass w/o distortion and loss of clarity, etc. Our circuit employs one very high-quality 1% metal film fixed resistor in series with your power amp. The volume is adjusted by shunting your amp's input to ground via our volume control to ground and allowing the signal to flow into the amp by a "valve like" circuit. The clarity and detail offered by this type of circuit truly blows away all other passive solutions next to a 100% 1% resistor-based control."

It's the old "in the signal path" myth (or not in the signal path) and it's total bullshit and makes me think they don't know the first thing about electronics.

I set out my arguments against this type of attenuator in post #24 in this thread
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?31816-The-Khozmo-Mkii-Stepped-attenuator/page3

[Arkless Electronics]

Here's a quote from their ad:

"95% of all commercially available passive preamps "allow" your precious audio signal to flow through its volume control. This is the most difficult area for your signal to pass w/o distortion and loss of clarity, etc. Our circuit employs one very high-quality 1% metal film fixed resistor in series with your power amp. The volume is adjusted by shunting your amp's input to ground via our volume control to ground and allowing the signal to flow into the amp by a "valve like" circuit. The clarity and detail offered by this type of circuit truly blows away all other passive solutions next to a 100% 1% resistor-based control."

It's the old "in the signal path" myth (or not in the signal path) and it's total bullshit and makes me think they don't know the first thing about electronics.

I set out my arguments against this type of attenuator in post #24 in this thread
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?31816-The-Khozmo-Mkii-Stepped-attenuator/page3

+1

[Bonky]

Try a better passive than the Tisbury. It gives you a taste of what a passive can do but there are much better (albeit more expensive) passives out there.

The quality of the pre-amp has a huge effect on the sound of a system, I doubt anyone would deny that.
Macca, what other preamps would you advocate?
thanks,
Richard

[hifinutt]

great to read this thread . i just love to play with pre amps . i am not sure of the op budget but i have heard these are worth a try

http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/hifi-components/pp1-passive-preamplifier

and these

https://hifiwigwam.com/megastore/product/ad-audio-satchmo/

and
http://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_title=Bel_Canto_PRe_3_preamp&p=preamplifier&prod_id=47522&offset=

[Bonky]

great to read this thread . i just love to play with pre amps . i am not sure of the op budget but i have heard these are worth a try

http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/hifi-components/pp1-passive-preamplifier

and these

https://hifiwigwam.com/megastore/product/ad-audio-satchmo/

and
http://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_title=Bel_Canto_PRe_3_preamp&p=preamplifier&prod_id=47522&offset=

mmm....interesting... man thanks!

Richard

[walpurgis]

Something from 'Music First' could add to the equation.............If you've got a few grand handy! :eyebrows:

[hifinutt]

ah yes , i missed those out due to the price , but they are great

[Macca]

Macca, what other preamps would you advocate?
thanks,
Richard

Any of the NVA models will better a Tisbury and they are not silly money. I've had the one I've got up against some very good, very expensive passives and actives including Music First, Marco's super modded Croft, two different LDR passives (Tortuga and one another) plus some others I don't remember and it was not found wanting. The stepped attenuator versions are worth the extra. Loads of inputs and three sets of outputs too, handy for bi and tri amping and also for connecting subwoofers should you so desire.:eyebrows:

[prsjnb]

Thanks for sharing, Colin. Glad to hear that the Myriad 'gelled' with the rest of your system. And the fact that, in the overall scheme of things, it cost so little means you can justify, if need be, spending more on headphones :eyebrows:

Jon