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In Reply to: RE: Ranking Of Vintage Tube Preamps While We Are At It posted by rosendds@frontiernet.net on December 12, 2014 at 05:26:15
Ranking would depend on who's doing the ranking and don't we already know what the vintage "hot list" would include?
(List updated after original post)Marantz 7 tube version
Marantz Model 1 Consolette
Audio Research SP-3 variants
McIntosh C-11
McIntosh C-20
McIntosh C-22
HH Scott 130
HH Scott 121
Brook Model 7
Eico HF85
Fisher 400CX
Fisher 50C
Fisher 80C
Harmon Kardon Citation 1
Layfayette KT 600
Pilot 216A
The McIntosh MX-110 and Harmon Kardon Citation 1V don't usually receive a lot of attention but should be included and some might argue that the Dynaco PAS3X, once upgraded, should be included too.
Edits: 12/12/14 12/12/14 12/12/14 12/12/14 12/12/14Follow Ups:
You left off the Precision Fidelity C7 and variants. If you have as I do, a two source system (tuner and phono) there is nothing better, but a lot that are different.
At least one well-regarded re-builder says the "McShaned" Citation One has the best phono section he has ever heard.
It is mostly about what your system needs. I don't need a remote, but I am thinking about swapping the two mono volume controls for one really good stereo version.
The C7 is an active preamp ONLY for the phono section...the two auxillary inputs are passive. Nice to listen to the radio without turning on the tubes.
The question that I have is which preamp on the list when restored is in the 2-3k price range and has a really nice line stage as well as a good phono stage.There is a chance that I could use my Caravaggio phono stage if it sounds better than the phono in the preamp that I buy.
If this is any help, I have a Theta preamp (1980) that has a good phono section. Whether it would be "better" than the Caravagio? I doubt it, but you never know, these things are so system dependant. With both the Theta and the Precision Fidelity or any of the others, you have the option of running the Caravagio through one of the auxillary inputs and swapping back and forth between the Caravagio and the built in phono section.
I suspect the Caravagio will certainly be "different" from the built-in, whether it is better will depend to at least some extent the table/cartridge sending the signal.
The vintage preamp phono section will be designed around moving magnet cartridges, although I know the Citation One can be modified to have one moving coil input and one moving magnet.
One thing is for sure, you will have a great time figuring all this out.
Being a fairly rare item that isn't mentioned all that often, I forgot to list the Brook Model 7 Preamp.
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