From: tarr-michael@CS.YALE.EDU (Michael J. Tarr)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Reasonably priced preamps
Date: 15 Apr 92 13:11:47 GMT
Article-I.D.: cs.1992Apr15.013757.5459
Organization: Department of Psychology, Yale University
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu


My system: Thiel CS-2's <- PowerLine 2 <- Belles 150 <- MIT 330's <-
SONY X33ES.

I used to have a Sonographe preamp. It was pretty neutral, but
ultimately gave way to the direct setup due to a lack of dynamics,
imaging, and resolution. The direct setup was also lacking dynamics and
bass, but had terrific imaging. I wanted to spend about $600 or lower
for a new preamp.

I originally started with a pair of TARA QIII interconnects for the CD
to preamp connection, but the connector was very cheap and snapped off.
And they really didn't sound very good. Audio advisor convinced me the
Cardas QuadLink V was about the same as the MIT 330's which I liked. In
fact in some side by side comparisons I could tell little difference
between them. So much for the superstitious rituals and incantations
necessary to ready a system for trying new equipment... (I am not sure
that cables make much difference, but I sure FEEL better knowing that I
have $100+ cabling...).

The contenders: the Superphon SP100 unity gain line stage
The Acuras Preamp, The PS Audio 6.1

I never did side by side listening, but I did listen extensively to
each.

The Superphon. Reigned in dynamics even more than the direct setup, no
added bass, and killed my great imaging. But mostly long periods of
listening were "fatiguing" and made me edgy. My friends too (who were
trying to be polite and not trash my system). I have heard these terms
before, but never understood what Sam Tellig or anyone else meant by
them. But here it was. Definitely an annoying sound. Something about the
midrange I think. I returned it (more on that later).

The Acuras. A well-built, neutral unit. It certainly did not change the
sound of my system very much. A little bit more oomph, but not much. The
detail and imaging were about as without the preamp there. But somehow
for adding the active stage I had hoped for more. Like some dynamics on
Mahler. Or David Byrne really burning down the house. Sort of like
buying IBM -- no one ever got fired for buying it. Of course they go out
of their way to remind you that they build the stuff right here in the
good ole US of A. By the way, I am not in love with the styling.

PS Audio 6.1. I had high hopes since my friends' 4.6's have been good
sounding preamps. Well from the first moment I plugged it in, it was
clear that I had a winner. The sound and imaging are as detailed and
precise as before and the bass is suddenly there (I knew my Thiel's
could do that!). Gobs of dynamics (and hints of oak too -- oops that is
wine tasting...). In the following days the sound only improved. It also
has a straightwire mode that switches out the active stage. This renders
the sound about where it was without the preamp. But so far I can find
no reason to use that mode. I always use bypass on (skips the balance
and tape monitor). My only complaint is that there is an audible hiss in
the active mode -- this is masked by most music, but sometimes on quiet
passages it makes it sound like I am playing LP's! I will play with
things to see if I can rid myself of this. Also the build quality is
great. Really nice feel to the chassis, gold plated touch switches, and
the knobs (although I do not like the detented volume control). Good
news for LP fans -- the 6.1 is just the 5.6 without the phono section,
so these comments should hold for that model too.

Finally: I bought the cables, the Superphon, and the PS Audio from Audio
Advisor (Corey). They were basically very good -- seemed to have all of
the standard cliched advice and were responsive. They took back the
defective cables and the Superphon without a problem. My only complaint
was that there was a mixup with PS Audio on when they would get 6.1's,
but it was straightened out after about two weeks and they shipped
overnight to get it to me. I would advise planning to compare things
from them against dealer's loaners only after you have the merchandise
in hand -- mail order is just less reliable on timing. But all in all a
good experience. Plus they had the PS Audio for $100 less than the
nearest dealer which was 90 miles away in NYC.

In this price range the only other preamps people mentioned were the
Adcom's (which I am just dubious about after many experiences) and the
B&K (which from experience has a "warm" sound that is essentially a
filter which some like, but I would rather not have).

Mike Tarr
tarr@cs.yale.edu
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end