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In Reply to: Tube Preamps With Phono Under 1,000.00 posted by AudioSoul on October 24, 2012 at 11:48:03:
My odyssey through the world of sub-$1000 preamps ended with an Audible Illusions M3. First, I had a PSE Studio I (not a tube unit), and liked it OK enough. Then, I tried to upgrade it. First, with a Lazarus tubed unit. Line stage sounded OK, but the high end on the phono stage sounded tizzy to me- it lacked control on the sibilants. That, combined with the limited input options, led me to sell that one. Then came a Conrad-Johnson PV7. That one sounded OK until I noticed, again, a problem with sibilants- this time with BOTH line stage and phono stage. Once I heard it, I always heard it. I tried NOS tubes, too. Same problem.
Finally, I got an Audible Illusions Modulus 3. Not THAT sounds like what I want. Very neutral, very fluid and musical, nice high end, nice soundstaging. On the plus side for the unit is the sound. Build quality is nice, too. And, there are several options where you can tailor the sound a bit, which can be helpful. On the down side, the dual volume controls are a bit of a pain. Sonically, I suppose getting the balance control gone is a good thing, and this is an elegant way to do it. What it means, though, is that you have to match levels by eye each time you change the volume. Yes, I get you could match by ear- if your preamp is mid-way between your speakers. But in most setups, it probably isn't- it never has been in mind since I've had this preamp. So, you have to set the volume where you want it by ear, and then look carefully at the pretty-well-marked by not wonderfully clearly marked volume pots to make sure they're at the same level, and adjust as necessary. I don't care for it much because it is tough if you're listening in low light or no light, and because it brings an "eye" element in, where with one volume pot, it is all "ear." Still, no huge deal. The M3 has continuous pots, so getting the right volume level and/or balance isn't particularly tough, whereas the newer M3A and later have stepped potentiometers AFAIK, which sounds like it would be easier to channel match in the dark, but tougher to get just the right volume level. Pick your poison. Anyway, despite the quibbles, they are very nice units. Lots of inputs, very nice phono section. They're picky about tubes. I've had good luck with JJ tubes that were selected for low noise, and the Russian "Type 2" that Kevin Deal sells. The JJ tubes are cheaper, the Russians a hair quieter and perhaps more analytical. Both types last me several years, and as a bonus, the AI preamps only need four tubes.
All the above preamps were used with PSE amplifiers, a VPI Junior table and Clearaudio Beta cartridge (moving magnet), and either Vandersteen 2c or Thiel CS3.0 speakers.
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Follow Ups
- RE: Tube Preamps With Phono Under 1,000.00 - Tantalus 10/27/1215:44:38 10/27/12 (0)
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