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Preamps with phono and a remote - one listener's journey

audiodon

audiodon

Addicted Member
Hi,
I requested that a mod change the title of this thread from Preamp with phono shopping to Preamps with phono and a remote - one listener's journey because I'm no longer shopping, though shopping was the earlier part of the journey. Now . . . I'm tweaking my selected preamp.
This is a journey. I have arrived at the destination of finding a preamp I'm satisfied with, but the tweaking to bring out the best in that preamp continues. I hope you enjoy the journey and continue to comment.


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I presently am shopping for a preamp with a good phono stage.

At this point I'm a moving magnet phono guy.
I stopped in to my local high end shop, Goodwin's High End, and they're steering me towards an EAR 868.

I've got an 834P phono stage and, after I switched out the stock RAM 12AX7s for RCA triple mica 5751s, this is the phono stage that has most satisfied me. It's a phono stage that's better than the office system it's in.

In a review of the 912, there was one note about the soundstage of the MM phono stage, which doesn't use the phono output coupling transformers that the MC output uses, that said the soundstage wasn't quite as large.

I do believe that the 868 doesn't have those output transformers even for MC, but uses the 88P phono stage.

Does anyone have any experience with this or comparable preamps with remotes?
Thanks,
audiodon
 
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I like to make sure that anyone in the house can run any system at any time.
The EAR 834P does not have an on light. I hate that. Even I leave it on.
The other requirement is a remote.

I am assuming that switched outlets have become unfashionable on preamps, though I'd love some switched outlets for:
1. The phono stage
2. The amp
3. Tuner and powered antenna.

But anyway, back to the original idea.
I like anyone to be able to run the system. With the Fisher that's there now, even my 11 year old can plug in her Ipod and run it, or tune in the radio, or play a record, or even switch between the living room and kitchen speakers. The only real weakness is no remote/mute. This is living space and conversations must happen and phone calls must be answered, sometimes while cooking is happening, which means not leaving the room where the music is at concert volume. So, a remote is necessary.

If I'm going to upgrade the reference system to a separates system, it has to be as simple as possible. Therefore, things like outboard phono stages are out of the question if switched outlets are unavailable.

If there's something I haven't thought of here, please let me know.
 
I totally get it. A remote is a huge plus for me as well, which I don't have. I am currently using an APC H15 to turn everything on and off. To compound things, my PSE amps have the power switches on the back!
 
See that's exactly it.
In the home theater system, there's one remote. This is in a different room, but the concept must be similar.
Perhaps this isn't the ultimate solution, but preamp shopping seems the right direction at the moment.
I have two preamps right now, but neither one entirely fits the bill.
1. Wyred-4-Sound STP-SE. A fine piece. Line stage only. Has remote. Great sound!
2. Sonic Frontiers SFL-2. Also a fine piece. Way overbuilt. Line stage only. Has remote. Has great sound with fancy tubes and fancy power cord.

But . . . neither of them have built-in phono or switched outlets.
 
Have you considered using something along the lines of the APC H15 like I have? so it's just one button to power the whole system up. I do think these things have an effect on sound FWIW, for better or worse.
 
It's a shame you are not a McIntosh fan. I love my C220 as you know and it has all of the features (minus power switching) that you are after. You can roll two separate pairs of tubes (one for the mains and one for the phono) to dial in whatever sound you are after.

I have the "family access" rule in my music room too. I use a big switched power strip for everything and that seems to work out well.

The other avenue that you might want to consider here is Accuphase. I know you and your audiophile ear :-). You will need something very high performing indeed to satisfy all of your requirements (the remote is a tough one that rules out a lot of the more traditional gear). I think you could pick up a very nice Accuphase unit with some time and effort spent watching the bay and agon (or you can go direct to hifido.co.jp).
 
You know, of all the preamps I have owned, the one I miss the most is the Sunfire Classic Tube Preamp. Comes with an optional tube phono stage and also an optional remote control. Mine had both options. VERY nice preamp that would set you back about $1500 with all options.
 
Does the Audible Illusions have two volume controls?
All I've read on them says no remote.
Spectral? Hmm . . . I'll have to think on that one. I've heard em connected to some Magico speakers.
 
How is the search going? Just curious what you may have been looking at that meets your specs....

Jblnut
 
One thing also which is often overlooked these days, a LOT of equipment has 12v triggers on them now. In fact, I don't own a single piece of equipment that isn't triggered. Preamp comes on, all 4 amps power as does the disc player.
 
Interesting thread and just at the right time. I'm also on this hunt. I have three nice pre amps now but none of them have all the features I'm looking for in one. These features pretty much mirror your list(save for the switched outlets). I am considering ditching the possible hassle of tubes as well.

Gonna keep an eye on this one as a modern pre amp with remote and phono is on the short list.
 
You might consider a Bryson BP16 Preamp. It uses Fully Discrete Class A Analog circuitry and gets very good reviews by all accounts. It has an Avaliable multi-function Remote Control, 12v DC triggers, an AVR Pass-Through. A Very Good MM Phono Stage is Avaliable as is an Outstandig DAC Module Option with 4 Inputs. Their BP 26 Preamp with an Outboard PS has a Remote Volume Option and an avaliable MM/MC Phono Stage Option the BP16 Doesn't (it's only MM) as well as the DAC Module Option.

I have their B100 SST integrated Amp. The B100 SST is the BP16 Preamp and the 2B SST Power amp on one chasis using 3 independant Power Supplies. One for Left & Right Channal Analog, and One for all Digital Functions, including the optional DAC Module. As a package it sound's better than the most Optimistic Review I've Read.

I have use the Preamp section to drive an Audio Design PA100 power Amp and was very satisfied with the results, with an almost Tube like Smoothness. This Power Amp however doesn't have near the Imaging/Soundstage that the Bryston Power Amp Section has.

You might even consider their latest B135 SST 135 wpc Integrated and just use the Preamp section. It's like getting their $3,000 SST2 Power Amp for $1,000. And believe me That Amp is no sloutch, Especially if you Value Absulute Bass Controll, Low level resulution and Imaging/Soundstage. Never mind The 20 Year Warranty
 
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I'm away from my notes so please excuse my attempts at the proper company part#s.

After a conversation with Alan Goodwin at Goodwin's High End, my search included researching the following:
1. Spectral DMC-30
2. Hegel (can't recall)
3. Counterpoint SA-3000 or 5000

I ruled out the EAR 868 after Alan quickly assessed my tastes and cited his experience with that piece.

An AK friend suggested:
Aesthetix Janus or Janus Signature

AK'er Numbdiver suggested a Berning TF-12.

Most of these would be a serious financial stretch, but ultimately I decided to fall back onto something that works for me.
If it's a tube preamp that's point-to-point wired, even if it's not exactly what I want, I can get it to where I want it to be. Most all of the selections had some compromise or had PC board mounted tubes.

I kept going back to the preamp that I eventually purchased. Finally, after finding one that had cosmetics I could live with, and came within my budget, I sprung.

Pictures will have to wait, but I'm pleased to announce my preamp purchase, with a black faceplate and chrome top:

Cary SLP-98P with factory upgraded Kimber coupling caps and the previous owner's favorite rolled tubes.
Impressions and pictures to follow. I used it yesterday but want to let my impressions loop around in my subconscious for a while before expressing them.
Now, anybody got a schematic?
 
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