What about the Beacon 2 ? That thing was killer in my system. With so many options available as tubed rectification and or a beefed up power supply for under $1200. If you could hear a CAT ultimate, Audio research or CJ you are not going to know what a premiere pre can do. Or try a DAC with a volume control and eliminate the pre. The only passive stuff that has great sound are the Bent, S&B and Georges Lightspeed IMO. Trying a passive or DAC with volume control will give you a better picture as to what the Pre actually does or does not do. swap meets can be fun but usually do not allow you to here the full potential of the pieces. other opinions, comments, set up allhave a bearing on what you hear. it takes about three days for the particular piece to settle back in. Swapping in a short period of time is fun but not really valid. Take your time with each piece. sometimes at first listen the excitement or part of the spectrum thrills you but after some time fatigue sets in. Play all your favorite music not just the audiophile tracks. Have fun. charles
Do you want to hear my VAC pre? She's got all new Pavane tubes and has been sounding good lately.-Mike
They often go for $2K used. That sounds like it's in the range w/ the rest of your gear, no?-Mike
maybe Bill would send us one "try"
Love to hear more about the MW
http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/pream11a.htmChris brought this to a rave once. I liked what I heard, A nice improvement over the 10A.See if one shows up used.Mike
Well the MW 9.0 w/ tube rectification showed up today and I have been listening to it for about an hr and I have to say it is a night and day difference between it and the regular unmodded 9.0. Unbelievable.
Quote from: rollo on February 23, 2011, 08:56:34 AM What about the Beacon 2 ? That thing was killer in my system. With so many options available as tubed rectification and or a beefed up power supply for under $1200. If you could hear a CAT ultimate, Audio research or CJ you are not going to know what a premiere pre can do. Or try a DAC with a volume control and eliminate the pre. The only passive stuff that has great sound are the Bent, S&B and Georges Lightspeed IMO. Trying a passive or DAC with volume control will give you a better picture as to what the Pre actually does or does not do. swap meets can be fun but usually do not allow you to here the full potential of the pieces. other opinions, comments, set up allhave a bearing on what you hear. it takes about three days for the particular piece to settle back in. Swapping in a short period of time is fun but not really valid. Take your time with each piece. sometimes at first listen the excitement or part of the spectrum thrills you but after some time fatigue sets in. Play all your favorite music not just the audiophile tracks. Have fun. charlesBlair sent me a PM and I'm hoping to have the Beacon2 here soon. As far as given the pre's some time to break in ? They are extremely broken in . To me I think its what your ears like. Mike and Chris know what a few of the pieces should sound like having experience with them and if they don't think they sound good in my system I have to go with that.
