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  #21  
Old 04-23-2012, 04:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NoahG View Post
Todd,

I'm also looking at adding a preamp to my system to drive my Magtech.

Are you aware of this info about the Magtech's inputs:

“The first is that the Magtech is a differential/complementary design which means that its frequency response is flat right down to DC. Typically in such designs there are no capacitors in the signal path that would block DC, so if you feed it a DC signal – and many preamps "leak" DC – it will amplify that signal and can easily burn up your woofers due to its high power. So, it is important to avoid DC offsets in your pre-amp when using the Magtech or indeed any other directly coupled amplifier. As a compromise Sanders employs the use of DC blocking capacitors in the unbalanced inputs of the Magtech since tube preamps are the worst offenders and most are unbalanced. The designer leaves the balanced inputs free of capacitors.”

I've been looking for a tube preamp with balanced outputs, here's my short list:

Aesthetix Calypso
Modwright LS 36.5
TRL Dude

Good luck with your search.
Hi Noah... thanks and yes, I did read that blurb about DC coupling on the Magtech balanced inputs. Definitely something to keep front-and-center as the pre-amp search progresses.

I've not looked at the Aesthetix - thanks for that pointer and good luck to you as well.
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  #22  
Old 05-15-2012, 11:01 PM
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Todd,

Find anything yet?
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  #23  
Old 05-16-2012, 05:35 AM
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I don't have the experience of most here, but in that price range the Bryston BP26 and Parasound JC 2 come to mind. Both are line-level, so you would indeed need a phono stage for vinyl. McIntosh's preamps now have phono sections (the C2300 is supposed to be a good one, I've heard).
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  #24  
Old 05-16-2012, 08:20 AM
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I don't have the experience of most here, but in that price range the Bryston BP26 and Parasound JC 2 come to mind. Both are line-level, so you would indeed need a phono stage for vinyl. McIntosh's preamps now have phono sections (the C2300 is supposed to be a good one, I've heard).
Thanks Pre
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  #25  
Old 05-16-2012, 08:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NoahG View Post
Todd,

Find anything yet?
Hey Noah,

Not yet... still shopping. Just returned the Sanders pre yesterday. Wanted to like it but it just hasn't worked out (noisefloor mostly).

I've given some thought to electrocompaniet ec4.8, and I know many here love Shindo, and of course Mac. I'm also intrigued by Valvet's soulshine 8.

Gotta make a decision here sometime!

How about you? Any progress??
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  #26  
Old 05-16-2012, 09:19 AM
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Todd...what is the input impedance of your Magtech monos?
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  #27  
Old 05-16-2012, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
Todd...what is the input impedance of your Magtech monos?
Hi Cyril,

47K Ohms (balanced or unbalanced)
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  #28  
Old 05-16-2012, 10:25 AM
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Got it. So most preamps should work even higher output impedance tube amps. If you want a modern tube preamp sound, my vote would go to (in no specific order):

Cary SLP-05
Conrad Johnson ET-5
Audio Research Ref 3 (used) or LS-27
Nagra PL-L (a bit more traditional tube sound but still highly resolved and dimensional)

If you want SS preamp, I would put the following on your list:

Ayre K-5xeMP
Krell Evo 222/202
Simaudio P-7

I think all can be found in your $5Kish range +/- $1K

Last edited by cmalak; 05-16-2012 at 10:30 AM.
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  #29  
Old 05-16-2012, 11:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
Got it. So most preamps should work even higher output impedance tube amps. If you want a modern tube preamp sound, my vote would go to (in no specific order):

Cary SLP-05
Conrad Johnson ET-5
Audio Research Ref 3 (used) or LS-27
Nagra PL-L (a bit more traditional tube sound but still highly resolved and dimensional)

If you want SS preamp, I would put the following on your list:

Ayre K-5xeMP
Krell Evo 222/202
Simaudio P-7

I think all can be found in your $5Kish range +/- $1K
Thanks for great feedback Cyril. I'm somewhat conflicted about tubes vs SS. I'd like to be able to leave the system on all the time which is where SS would be best... but I do appreciate tube euphonics when dialed in just right. It's a heavy burden to bear, I know
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  #30  
Old 05-16-2012, 01:54 PM
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Todd...if 24-hr on is what you want, then SS is the way to go for sure and for me the Simaudio P-7 is a great preamp. I would seek out a home audition if possible. I auditioned it with its partnering amp (W-7) for about a week and it is highly resolving, neutral across the frequency band, and just very easy to listen to.
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