In search for preamp

[gleeds]

by the way and fwiw, I have heard that the Trapomatic does sound quite good.

PK, comments from third parties are neither fair nor helpful The Trafomatic Lara, which you may have heard about from friends, is a $14,000 pre-amp, a value that is quite remarkable in its price class. The recommended preamplifier is the Tara 30A, which is nearly $70,000 and is a different beast altogether.

Not for any reason other than curiosity, I would gladly spend a few hours with you at your place comparing the Tara 30A to your VAC Statement, which undoubtedly is a superb preamplifier from a great maker. I assure you that this would be an interesting comparison to a fascinating, pure Class A design using single-ended output tubes.

 

[pk_LA]

PK, comments from third parties are neither fair nor helpful The Trafomatic Lara, which you may have heard about from friends, is a $14,000 pre-amp, a value that is quite remarkable in its price class. The recommended preamplifier is the Tara 30A, which is nearly $70,000 and is a different beast altogether.

Not for any reason other than curiosity, I would gladly spend a few hours with you at your place comparing the Tara 30A to your VAC Statement, which undoubtedly is a superb preamplifier from a great maker. I assure you that this would be an interesting comparison to a fascinating, pure Class A design using single-ended output tubes.

The comments come from a highly qualified and experienced audiophile - Ron Resnick.

 

[gleeds]

The comments come from a highly qualified and experienced audiophile - Ron Resnick.

He is indeed both those things! Thank you Pat

 

[gleeds]

PK, comments from third parties are neither fair nor helpful The Trafomatic Lara, which you may have heard about from friends, is a $14,000 pre-amp, a value that is quite remarkable in its price class. The recommended preamplifier is the Tara 30A, which is nearly $70,000 and is a different beast altogether.

Not for any reason other than curiosity, I would gladly spend a few hours with you at your place comparing the Tara 30A to your VAC Statement, which undoubtedly is a superb preamplifier from a great maker. I assure you that this would be an interesting comparison to a fascinating, pure Class A design using single-ended output tubes.

Pat, for I am a complete goofball. I misread your post, and thank you for your favorable comments on Trafomatic, which you shared with Ron. I'll read things more carefully next time! G

 

[acg]

@hesavary

If a tube preamp is on the books, Aries Cerat are worth auditioning. I've recently been through the same search and once the Aries Cerat Aether preamp was demoed in my system for a couple of weeks I was not letting it go...I could not let it go.

 

[Elliot G.]

and then there is the Riviera APL-01 SE

 

[engadin]

Unfortunately I have never heard the Riviera.
Undoubtedly a great preamp.

I do think you should not worry about the L1 being too straight.

Add a X1.
Add a CAD usb control.
Get decent aftermarket fuses and power cords.

You will end up with an astonishingly good preamp.

My TAD speakers aren’t known for plush romanticism.
Drama, emotion, musical expression are most important for me.
I don’t miss a thing.

Add a few Chord Groundarays. I did and do like their effect.
One more recommended upgrade: the Nordost Tyr specialty cable from X1 to L1. I will add that some day as well.

 

[2ndLiner]

I'd suggest the Conrad Johnson ART 88 preamp for consideration. My previous pre was the CJ GAT2 which bested both the VAC Master and ARC REF10 in a home shootout. The ART 88 takes things to another level of SQ. Best of luck in your search!

 

[Golum]

Except Lara which is DHT based preamp majority of proposed ones are with small double triodes (nothing bad at all with these!) but just to add few more fully DHT based ones Tobian SC1, SC8, SC12 as well as some from Thomas Mayer. With Tobian SC12 i live for a very long time and will continue living with it as it’s just magnificent. On top I can vauch for the synergy between Horizon DAC and the preamp as they are working together in my living room since Horizon was introduced.
I would say this combo with CHP power amp and Wilsons would be a great match (justy guts feeling)

 

[bonzo75]

Both Thrax Libra and Thomas Mayer are quite superior to CJ.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Nice preamps and poweramps audio phonique

LINE STAGE PRE DHT | Audio Phonique | High Performance Audio Products

www.audiophonique.com

 

[2ndLiner]

Both Thrax Libra and Thomas Mayer are quite superior to CJ.

Could be. Have you heard the ART88 in a system you know well?