The 12 Most Significant Preamps of all Time

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
10,515
1,773
1,850
Metro DC
1. Audio Research corporation sp3 1972 $650

2. Marantz model 7 1958 $254

3. Dynaco pAS-3 1960 $60(kit) $80 (assembled)

4. MarkLlevinson lpn/jc-2 1973 $1100

5. Vendetta Research scp-2 1988 $1895

6. Conrad Johnson art/gat 1996 $14,995/$20,000

7. Harmon kardon citation 1 $139 (kit) $239(wired)

8. Audible illusions modulus 3a 1996 $1895

9. Quad 33 1967 $120

10. Conrad-Johnson premier 3 1983 $2850

11. Mark levinson no.32 reference 1999 $14,950

12. Audio Research sp-10/sp11 1982/1984 $2995/$14995
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
1. Audio Research corporation sp3 1972 $650

2. Marantz model 7 1958 $254

3. Dynaco pAS-3 1960 $60(kit) $80 (assembled)

4. MarkLlevinson lpn/jc-2 1973 $1100

5. Vendetta Research scp-2 1988 $1895

6. Conrad Johnson art/gat 1996 $14,995/$20,000

7. Harmon kardon citation 1 $139 (kit) $239(wired)

8. Audible illusions modulus 3a 1996 $1895

9. Quad 33 1967 $120

10. Conrad-Johnson premier 3 1983 $2850

11. Mark levinson no.32 reference 1999 $14,950

12. Audio Research sp-10/sp11 1982/1984 $2995/$14995

The Vendetta was a phono stage.

http://www.stereophile.com/phonopreamps/640/

I wasn't an ARC SP11 fan. Step backwards IMHO. Start of their lean, hyper definition period.
 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
5,459
961
1,290
The tube lair in beautiful Rock Hill, SC
If you don't mind me asking, where did this list come from?

Tom
 

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
10,515
1,773
1,850
Metro DC
The Vendetta was a phono stage.

Correct. I started to point out it was most often sold (or demoed) with an ARC Line stage. Also notable was the name Vendetta. JC thought he had been used and others took credit for his work.
 

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
10,515
1,773
1,850
Metro DC
If you don't mind me asking, where did this list come from?

Tom

Sorry Tom. My computer must have dropped it. the absolute sound issue 223 may/june 2012 pg.39.
 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
5,459
961
1,290
The tube lair in beautiful Rock Hill, SC
Ahhh, thank you Sir.

Tom
 

JonFo

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2010
322
1
925
Big Canoe, GA
www.jonathanfoulkes.com
I guess dealing with any modern codec (DTS-MA/Dolby TrueHD,FLAC, etc.) or being able to handle more than 2 channels or being able to do Room Correction or ...

None of that must be 'significant'. Right ;)

That's not a list from 2012, more like from 1980. I guess this explains why I do not subscribe to the AS
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
Also notable was the name Vendetta. JC thought he had been used and others took credit for his work.

That's not quite the story as I know it :) But in part, what you said is true. And not only used but John wasn't paid for his work.
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
I guess dealing with any modern codec (DTS-MA/Dolby TrueHD,FLAC, etc.) or being able to handle more than 2 channels or being able to do Room Correction or ...

None of that must be 'significant'. Right ;)

That's not a list from 2012, more like from 1980. I guess this explains why I do not subscribe to the AS

Or maybe it was limited to two channel?
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
12,308
1,425
1,820
Manila, Philippines
I had the pleasure of using a No.32 at a show many years ago. From an ergonomics standpoint, I think it sets a standard matched by very few to this day.
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
I had the pleasure of using a No.32 at a show many years ago. From an ergonomics standpoint, I think it sets a standard matched by very few to this day.

Don't think it had that Levinson "sound?" It was way too dark and overly smooth for me :)
 

Bill Hart

Well-Known Member
May 11, 2012
2,683
174
1,150
I guess dealing with any modern codec (DTS-MA/Dolby TrueHD,FLAC, etc.) or being able to handle more than 2 channels or being able to do Room Correction or ...

None of that must be 'significant'. Right ;)

That's not a list from 2012, more like from 1980. I guess this explains why I do not subscribe to the AS

Jon- I think the context was 'historically' significant. If you assembled a list of historically significant automobiles, you'd have to include some real antiques, things that would be daunting to drive today, no brakes, center accelerator, carbs that go out of tune, and I won't mention Lucas electrics.
As to that list, I bought an ARC SP 3-a-1 back in the day when it was still current, circa 1974? At the time, I had access to a fair amount of new and used equipment, since I had dropped out of college and was selling hi-fi at a place that moved a ton of gear, good, bad and indifferent. It was not, at the time, an ARC dealer, although it later got the franchise. Anyway, a bunch of us took a few of the better preamps we had access to over to the 'other dealer' in town who was an ARC dealer.
The SP-3 was at an entirely different level than any of them- i know that sounds trite- but it was far more open sounding and musical than the range of solid state gear we had access to at the time.
I wound up buying one, even though I didn't get any sort of 'accomodation' and kept it for years, retubing along the way. It was eventually replaced by the SP-10 mkii, another ARC classic. By today's standards, I suspect the SP 3 would sound very old school tubey. The SP-10 probably less so, but keeping that sucker in low noise tubes was a full time job.
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
12,308
1,425
1,820
Manila, Philippines
Don't think it had that Levinson "sound?" It was way too dark and overly smooth for me :)

I agree. I had the 380s and found that it had more life. The underbelly IEC was a hassle though. SAme with my 360s, I misplaced the power cord when moving house and had no clue what to do. I found it eventually. Grrrrr.

With regards to the 32, I did say "from an ergonomic standpoint" and I still think that holds.
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
I agree. I had the 380s and found that it had more life. The underbelly IEC was a hassle though. SAme with my 360s, I misplaced the power cord when moving house and had no clue what to do. I found it eventually. Grrrrr.

With regards to the 32, I did say "from an ergonomic standpoint" and I still think that holds.

That IEC under the middle of the unit was a pure and unadulterated nightmare. I had almost forgotten about it. You had to put the unit on some sort of feet to be able to use that cord too!
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
Jon- I think the context was 'historically' significant. If you assembled a list of historically significant automobiles, you'd have to include some real antiques, things that would be daunting to drive today, no brakes, center accelerator, carbs that go out of tune, and I won't mention Lucas electrics.
As to that list, I bought an ARC SP 3-a-1 back in the day when it was still current, circa 1974? At the time, I had access to a fair amount of new and used equipment, since I had dropped out of college and was selling hi-fi at a place that moved a ton of gear, good, bad and indifferent. It was not, at the time, an ARC dealer, although it later got the franchise. Anyway, a bunch of us took a few of the better preamps we had access to over to the 'other dealer' in town who was an ARC dealer.
The SP-3 was at an entirely different level than any of them- i know that sounds trite- but it was far more open sounding and musical than the range of solid state gear we had access to at the time.
I wound up buying one, even though I didn't get any sort of 'accomodation' and kept it for years, retubing along the way. It was eventually replaced by the SP-10 mkii, another ARC classic. By today's standards, I suspect the SP 3 would sound very old school tubey. The SP-10 probably less so, but keeping that sucker in low noise tubes was a full time job.

But TAS is a basically a two channel mag. TPV deals/dealt with MC.
 

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
10,515
1,773
1,850
Metro DC
I guess dealing with any modern codec (DTS-MA/Dolby TrueHD,FLAC, etc.) or being able to handle more than 2 channels or being able to do Room Correction or ...

None of that must be 'significant'. Right ;)

That's not a list from 2012, more like from 1980. I guess this explains why I do not subscribe to the AS

I think they call that a signal processor not a preamp.
 

Roysen

New Member
Aug 6, 2011
728
2
0
I think the TAS list is too American. It should have included:

Burmester 808
FM Acoustics 268
Kondo M10
CAT Ultimate

All of these have been around for decades and today still are among the best.

I also think a Lyra Connoisseur should be on that list.

Thanks,
Roysen
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing