Help! Any views on MF preamps?

[mrmark]

Am desperate for some help; live in the middle of nowhere in Thailand, need a new preamp to partner my MF A3cr Power Amp.
Does anyone have any experience of the A3cr when compared to the X-P100 Pre, or the X-Pre V3....... difficult for me to source an A3cr here, other two are easier, but not sure they are as good preamps?
Am looking for more weight/slam in the bottom end........ and a smooth detailed top. Any help will be much appreciated.

[MartinT]

How about introducing yourself and describing your system a little, Mark, to help us give advice?

[jandl100]

How about introducing yourself and describing your system a little, Mark, to help us give advice?

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...590#post491590

Mark just posted this in the wrong section - should be in Blank Canvas.

[jandl100]

... But to respond to Mark's question, in my experience the best MF pre by far (although I've not heard them all) is the FBP A1 - I sold one recently and have in fact owned 2. You can generally get them in the UK for around £350.

The onboard phonostage is not that good, but the line level is very fine indeed.

Here's a review https://www.referenceaudio.se/ImageU...Fi%20World.pdf

The A3CR pre I found a bit bland and boring, the XP-100 was a bit better and the X-PRE V3 is a bit unsophisticated but quite lively. All in my opinion, of course!

[MartinT]

Moved!

[Beobloke]

..in my experience the best MF pre by far (although I've not heard them all) is the FBP A1 -

I completely agree with this.....

..The onboard phonostage is not that good,

....and disagree with this!

[jandl100]

Interesting, Adam.
The phonostage is non-adjustable iirc, so maybe down to cartridge matching?

[Reffc]

I agree with Jerry. I've heard the the X-Ray PreV3 which was very reasonable for the money although you do need the V3 power supply with it (it's part of the modular system). It's better than most of the mid priced MF's I've heard but not up to the FBP-A1 Pre. (The X-Ray V3 power amp is a little cracker though...)

[mrmark]

Martin ......sorry this is all new to me not really an internet guy........,and not sure how the website works.....Am using at present a computer front end using Foobar,PS Audio digital link III (modified) MF A3cr power, Ruark Prologue Speakears......... various cables from Nordost and Chord.
Hopefully will be able to get to grips with this site, sure it's all straight forward........... What is it they say about teaching an old dog new tricks?.....lol.
Thanks for everyone's patience.

[mrmark]

Many thanks for your reply...... been looking online for ages and not got anywhere....