Am I stupid or just curious?

Shizelbs

So, am I stupid for wondering what a decent SS pre would sound like in my setup? I mean, everyone here loves their Dodd pre, but I really have nothing to compare it to. I am in no way unhappy with anything in my rig at the moment. But then again, its fun to tweak with things, and the Dodd is the only pre I have used. Am I wrong to want to dabble with a SS pre?

If my curiousity is warranted, what would be a good decent entry-ish SS pre to check out?

If I am being a dumbass, please let me know. If the Dodd really is what everyone says it is, and I believe it to be, maybe I would like to hear what a bad pre would sound like. Anyways, discuss and flame away.

Toxis

the best form of education is trial and error. How much can you learn if you only take other's opinions without trying and creating your own judgements?

cfrizz

If you are one of the ones that jumped all over the tube craze just because others said they were greatest thing since sliced bread, than by all means start looking at SS pre's.

I believe Parasound makes a good one, but I think you will have to get one used.

reeltrouble1

If you are one of the ones that have not tried tubes, then you should, its not a craze its more of well, a fact. Shelby, Tubes Rule.

I doubt you are going to find something ss around 400 to get anywhere close to the Dodd but I am sure that someone will chime in. But hey, go for it, if it blows your skirt up you won't have a problem flippin the ELP.

RT1

shack

For various reasons my Dodd ELP is boxed up and my NAD C160 is doing the job. The ELP may see some duty later in another rig, but for now I am fine with my current setup.

reeltrouble1

My NAD 1130 is mid-entry level, although its decent and has some nice features its tones are just not as musical as the Dodd.

RT1

faster100

I love tubes, but a serious question i have is... and i had one of the first orders for the dodd deal... so i liked it.. But if something is totally nuetral, no tone control.. basically a pass through except through a few small signal tubes..and it doesnt color the sound, how can it be so "Musical" I'm not being funny here, Id like an answer if thier is one..

mulveling

Absolutely not stupid. Experimenting with new gear through several iterations, even when satisfied with the existing setup, is how I found the gear that I really love. There will be many disappointments along the way, but the potential revelations make it worthwhile. I have yet to meet another person with exactly the same opinions/taste in gear (and only a few are close) - so if you've only tried one preamp/speakers/headphones/amp/source, there's no way to know that it's the best choice for you (or even a decent choice) without trying more grear

Edit: Two nice sounding peamp options in the <= $500 used range: the Sugden Headmaster and Melos SHA-1. The Melos is actually a hybrid tube/SS design, the Sugden is all SS. The Sugden is available with a remote-controlled volume. Both also serve as excellent headphone amps. I've also got a PS Audio PCA2, a pretty decently regarded SS preamp ($2000 new, $850 used), and IMO the Sugden whips it. Buy used so you can resell for minimal loss

dkg999

**** - I have a couple of spare Parasound P/HP-850 pre's setting in storage. If you just want to experiment and pay the shipping, we could discuss a loaner type deal. The 850 is rated as a pretty decent SS entry pre, and I have been pretty impressed with it. The Cambridge 500 pre is also another highly rated entry SS pre. Doug.

audiobliss

Ooh, now that's an awesome deal, there.

I would most definitely say play with all the gear you can get your hands on. Like a few have said, the only way to really figure out what you like is to get your ears on everything you can. At least, that's my plan.

I've read a lot of good things about the Melos pre; I'd love to play with one in the future.

danger boy

Shelby, yeah go ahead and try out a ss pre amp... not all of them sound the same. Some good.. others not so good.. But if the Dodd tube pre is the only one you've ever used.. then you may be surprised with a ss pre.. or you may not too. but at least you'd know.

For a pre, you're talking 2 ch only right?

It's like me and my SRS's. I haven't heard any one else's SRS's.. so i don't know if mine sound good or crappy. I think they sound ok to me.. but i'm not really sure either.

reeltrouble1

Danger,

Well, you could bring the SRS to the fest!!! I am sure someone would like them. Better start working out now though, your going to be straining a bit. Really though, SDA is not for every one, I love it, but I love my Amazings just as much, no one should ever limit themselves, although budget is a consideration. Same way with gear. However, I am standing on my Tubes Rule theory.

RT1

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm using that 850 Parasound in my bedroom rig, sounds great...

I-SIG

reeltrouble1 wrote:

If you are one of the ones that have not tried tubes, then you should, its not a craze its more of well, a fact. Shelby, Tubes Rule.

RT1

Not to stir the pot too much, but be careful espousing opinion as fact....

My Audio Alchemy DLC (SS) is certainly as warm as the Dared pre (similar to the Dodd ELP) with more control and cleaner bass.

Wes

danger boy

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Danger,

Well, you could bring the SRS to the fest!!! I am sure someone would like them. Better start working out now though, your going to be straining a bit. Really though, SDA is not for every one, I love it, but I love my Amazings just as much, no one should ever limit themselves, although budget is a consideration. Same way with gear. However, I am standing on my Tubes Rule theory.

RT1

LOL well. highly unlikely the SRS's are ever going to be moved anywhere.. them suckers are just to heavy. I still like em. but like the point of this thread Shelby started... i'm curious too about other SRS's, and ones like the Carvers too. But my budget quickly cures that curiousity.

If i am able to make it to PF06, about the only thing i'd be able to bring would be the tube DAC. It's about the only thing I own that I think anyone would be interested in a demo. Maybe someone (whistles and looks around) would be nice enough to let me try out some different tubes in it. 12AX7 FYI

reeltrouble1

I-SIG wrote:

Not to stir the pot too much, but be careful espousing opinion as fact....

Wes

Its a fact and it was tongue in cheek for Cathy. RT1 prefers tubes, besides Wes, we ALL know you cant hear anymore with all the gunshots!!!

I would not compare the Dodd to the Alchemy based on the Dared anymore than I would Parasound to an Anthem based on a B&K.

Edit: Danger I have some Sovtek LPS a good stocked tube you can try, what are you using now?

RT1

cfrizz

LOL! I can't hear you!!!!:p

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Its a fact and it was tongue in cheek for Cathy. RT1 prefers tubes, besides Wes, we ALL know you cant hear anymore with all the gunshots!!! RT1

Shizelbs

danger boy wrote:

... i'm curious too about other SRS's, and ones like the Carvers too. But my budget quickly cures that curiousity.

Al, those Platinum Amazings would most likely be a poor choice in your listening room. However, I am thinking that some AL IIIs would be a fine choice.

Shizelbs

dkg999 wrote:

**** - I have a couple of spare Parasound P/HP-850 pre's setting in storage. If you just want to experiment and pay the shipping, we could discuss a loaner type deal. The 850 is rated as a pretty decent SS entry pre, and I have been pretty impressed with it. The Cambridge 500 pre is also another highly rated entry SS pre. Doug.

Doug. That is very generous of you. I would be totally interested in such a deal. My PM box has room, drop me a line.

organ

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Edit: Danger I have some Sovtek LPS a good stocked tube you can try, what are you using now?

RT1

The LPS is a great tube but the other day I did a comparison against the new production Tung-Sol and the TS is a better tube IMO. It made the LPS sound closed in and not so sweet in the mids. Give them a shot. $15 a pop.

As for the SS pre. It's your money. If you feel you need to try a SS pre, go ahead. See if you can get a loaner so you don't have to spend money.

I had a few SS pre (NAD and Rotel) and even my entry level Antique Sound Lab ($299) tubed pre kicked their asses. I doubt any SS pre of the same price will beat your ELP.

Shizelbs

I think there are two things that are really driving this urge to be different.

1) The last time I was getting my listen on at the nearest hi fi shop, the salesman kept mentioning the 'tube sound.' He kept trying to find SS stuff that still had that 'tube sound.' I guess I want to determine what the tube sound is. I can read about it all day long, but its the ears that need to know.

2) I've gone from listening to my Carver system, and then put the same disc on my RTi HT system, and the RTi is just unbearably bad. Just fine for HT, but wholy smokes, just terrible for music. I realize this is apples to oranges in comparison, but the point is that I appreciate the good stuff that much more.

organ

Are you running a SS amp right now? A better thing to do would be to use that ss pre money and save up a bit for a tube amp. You will hear the "tube sound". This is when the sound has body and texture and vocals, instruments, etc just floats around the room.

Shizelbs

Yes, I am using a SS amp. Forgive my ignorance, but wouldn't my Carvers need a ton of watts from the tube amps, and therefore mucho $$? I'm putting 250w/ch into them right now.

reeltrouble1

The Original Amazings need lots of power, is that what you have, I forget. So you sold the Dodd?

RT1

Shizelbs

I have the MkIV platinums.

Heck no, the Dodd is still right where it should be. Just getting curious. Feels like its time to see other people, too early to settle down with just one pre.

organ

Wow! Yeah you should stick to SS if the speakers are power hungry. I do tube pre/ss amp for the LSi. Bob Carver have a thing for high powered SS so his speakers were probably voiced around his line of amps.

bikerboy

I had (have as a tuner now) a carver ct-7 (ss)as a preamp and am now using a TAD-150 sig tube preamp. It has made the midrange more real and lifelike sounding. I feel it is easier to listen to and is very quiet. I am using ss for the power amp mostly due to the cost of high power tube amps being out of range for now. But I know that ss pre amp are avail at very low prices. Maybe we need to have a seattle fest sometime soon and then you could listen to many different things. Just a thought.
Dangerboy- I have several 12au7 and 12at7 tubes if you are able to use the lower gain. LMK

Tour2ma

Shizelbs wrote:

Am I stupid or just cuious?

Why can't you be both?

I'd loan you an Adcom SLC-505 passive pre, but I can't get my bro-in-law to turn it loose.

You should be able to ebay one for $75 shipped or less. It will surprise you...

SuperDave

Any other Adcom preamps you would recommend? Thanks


SuperDave
Yamaha RX-V992 (Center,Rears)
Adcom GFA-5500 (Main)
Denon DVD-1920
Sony XBR 27"
BrightHouse DVR
Polk LSi25 Main
Polk LSiC Center
Infinity RS1 Rears
Monster THX Cables

Shizelbs

Tour2ma wrote:

Why can't you be both?

I'd loan you an Adcom SLC-505 passive pre, but I can't get my bro-in-law to turn it loose.

You should be able to ebay one for $75 shipped or less. It will surprise you...

Don't pressure your broinlaw too much. Its not that big of a deal. Thanks though.

I'll take a peek on the 'bay tonight and see what I can find.

Tour2ma

LOL... Although were it available, I'd have no issues sending it to you for a trial, my point was that it's so good he ain't parting with it. And he's about 8 years younger... and a gym rat so....

He needed something smooth to keep his Klipsch Cornwalls in line, and it was nearly perfect... and nearly applies only because it is not remote controlled. Sonically it is very, very nice. Gain is somewhat limited as it is a passive, but obviously that's no issue whatsoever with Klipsch in the mix.

SD,
I can't discuss other Adcom Pre's, but I'm sure others can.