Rogue Audio Perseus Preamplifier
Meet the new Perseus preamp from Rogue Audio, the bad boys of tubes. The Perseus is a slim $1795, slotting in right above their $995 Metis preamp and below their $2495 Ninety Nine preamp. Of course, a new tubed preamp is not terribly exciting but Rogue has been making a name for itself by kicking old tube baggage to the curb and bringing out big, banging equipment.
At CES, one speaker manufacturer demoing his equipment with a variety of tiny tube amps ended up wandering down the hall and found himself in the Rogue room. After chatting with Rogue's Mark O'Brien and tossing a few back, said speaker manufacturer rolled back to his room with the $1795 Chronos integrated. "Damn, this thing has balls!" was the verdict. Yeah, Rogue is Guinness to traditional tube pale ale.
The Perseus includes phono for you vinyl junkies as well as a remote, HT bypass and subwoofer out, which many are clamoring for these days.
| Permalink | Pre-Amps under $2k | Posted by Josh Ray on Jul 11 '06
Bel Canto and the 6Moons Taste
It's no secret that the 6Moons crew loves the new Bel Canto slim line components. Before getting into the details, it's worth mentioning 6Moons Srajan's defense of the 6Moons reviewing practices. Any frequenter of these pages is aware that 6Moons has favorites, namely Bel Canto, Zu, Gallo, Eastern Electric and a handful of others. Should they cover other equipment or only the gear they like?
Srajan says they should only cover the gear that gets their blood pumping, and I agree. For those with similar tastes to the 6Moonies, they have a home. It's interesting how in the last five or so years the industry has really broken apart along certain lines, like tubes and high-eff versus multi-drivers and SS power. We know audiophiles have different tastes, so why not embrace them in different publications?
In any case, it should come as no surprise the new Bel Canto gear wins accolades left and right from the 6Moons guys. First up are the Reference 1000 monoblocks rocking, you guessed it, 1000 watts of power (4ohms) from ICEpower digital amps. $1990 each.
Then we have the PRe3 preamp and S-300 stereo amp at $1695 and $1395 respectively. The S-300 brings 300 stereo watts (4ohms) to the game and the PRe3 builds off Bel Canto's very popular previous generation preamps. Nice and svelte, it's nice to see a move away from big 17" black boxes.
| Permalink | Amplifiers $1k to 3k , Amplifiers $3k to 6k , Pre-Amps under $2k | Posted by Josh Ray on Apr 25 '06
Monarchy Gear at Dagogo
Here's a nice little preamp/amp duo from Monarchy Audio that isn't outrageously expensive. The M24 tubed preamp sports an upsampling DAC and goes for $1490. The SM-70pro amplifier brings 25 watts to the game for $980. Dadogo says this:
...The music is not necessarily audiophile fare, but real fun pop and electronic gems… and that’s OK with this Monarchy Audio combo. It is equally as fulfilling with other types of music as well, but I really found myself digging back into my electronic music collection, 90’s alternative and funk collections a little more than my vintage jazz or singer-songwriter.
That's what I like to hear. Read the review for all the goods.
| Permalink | Amplifiers Under $1k , Pre-Amps under $2k | Posted by Josh Ray on Mar 03 '06
Manley Shrimp, Mahi Review
Paul Candy over at 6Moons gets hard core with Manley's Mahi Mahi monoblocks and the Shrimp preamp. Yeah, the Manley people have an affinity for delectable sea creatures. Manley is a big name in the tube world (I picked up a bumper sticker from their CES room reading: TUBES ROCK!) but Manley's angle is more Harley Davidson than Ducatti. Paul Candy says this:
If you are coming from bland-looking (and sounding) solid-state or even a decent tube integrated amp, this combo, like Dirty Harry's .44 magnum, will blow your head clean off, visually and sonically.
The Dirty Harry of tubes, that should really, really be Manley's slogan. Price is $2500 for a pair of the Mahis and $1880 for the Shrimp preamp. If a combined price of $4380 is too much, there's also the $2250 Stringray integrated essentially mating the Mahi Mahi and Shrimp in one big stingray-inspired package. Read the review for all the listening tests.
Oh, and no coverage of Manley can ever go without mentioning owner EveAnna Manley, one of the only women in this audio sausage fest. I don't know whether EveAnna's isolation in this biz is a testament to her coolness or a comment on the testosterone-laden, small nubbin complex that has thrown this industry into a virtual arms race. Who knows...
Oh, by the way, my tonearm is bigger than your tonearm.
Manley Shrimp, Mahi Review [6Moons]
Manley Labs
Permalink | | Posted to Amplifiers $1k to 3k | Pre-Amps under $2k
Firestone Audio Cheapie Stocking Stuffers
Is that supposed to be a record in the penguin's belly? That's...awesome. Not that it makes any sense at all, but whatever, you're looking at the new Korora phono stage from Firestone Audio. For the newbs, phono = record players, ya dig?
Positive Feedback Online has a great little article on the wonderfully bizarre products from Firestone audio out of Taiwan. In addition to the plump penguin, PFO also covers the $200 Big Joe integrated amp and the $255 Tube Head preamp. The Tube Head is great for adding cheap tube warmth to a solid state amp you have sitting around while the Big Joe with its 16 watts takes aim at the T-amp world.
Cheap but with certifiable audiophile qualities, says PFO. These guys also make a whole range of similarly priced headphone amps. Oh, did I mention they're tiny? PFO calls them "stocking stuffers" and that's no joke. We covered their $120 Fubar USB DAC a while ago as well as the Big Joe.
Firestone Audio Stocking Stuffers [Positive Feedback Online]
Firestone Audio
Permalink | | Posted to Integrated Amp under $1k | Pre-Amps under $2k
TCC TC754: Perfect Preamp for the T-Amp
The Sonic Impact T-amp blew up the internet this year and the cats over at TNT-Audio claim they have found the perfect preamplifier for the T-amp. If you don't know what the T-amp is, check out our comprehensive guide to T-amp madness, modding options and high-end T-amp alternatives.
Quickly, for our new readers, the difference between an amplifier and a preamplifier is simply volume control and inputs. Amplifiers just amplify the signal while a preamp takes your CD player, iPod and turntable and controls them all with a single volume control. You must have a preamp and amp to make it all work correctly.
Now, the Sonic Impact T-amp is technically an integrated amp because it has a volume control. But with only 1 input, it's hard to call it full featured. Nor is the internal volume control they use the best. Enter the TCC TC-754 aka, the "T-Preamp," with 4 inputs, a high quality volume control and a phono MM input for all you vinyl fans. Before you ask, no, it doesn't have a remote control.
This little tyke does it all and sounds just killer, says TNT Audio. It's not authorized by Sonic Impact, but for $80, you've got the T-amp's life partner. Check out the review for all the details on this little giant.
UPDATE: TNT-Audio followup review here.
TCC TC-754 T-Preamp Review [TNT-Audio. Tip to 6Moons]
Pick one up at the manufacturer's website or go to Amazon.
Permalink | | Posted to Pre-Amps under $2k
ModWright SWL 9.0
If you want fancy components to make all your trendy "friends" gush with admiration at your audio stylings, skip this article and go whore it up with Bang and Olufsen, the Paris Hilton of the high-end world (I'm just kidding guys...sort of). But if wicked gear spawned from the equipment-modding pits of Mordor gets your blood flowing, keep reading for the $1800 ModWright SWL 9.0, a tubed Balrog by any other name.
Permalink | | Posted to Pre-Amps under $2k
Dared Mini Tube Gear
Funky little company I've never heard of, Dared is all up in that retro tube game. Shown is the Mini VP-300B monoblock amps at an extremely cheap $890/pair and the tubed SL-2000A preamp with remote (volume buttons only) at an amazingly low $399. The Mini line is only one of four lines of products, slotting in below their Flagship and Imperial lines and above their New Classic line. Review from Good Sound gives the downside of 300B tubes:
"Rock out at ear-splitting volumes? Look elsewhere...Enjoy intimate small-group jazz, pop, folk, or chamber music? Give these a listen right away."
Basically, small tube watts for Nora Jones and big solid state for System of a Down. Makes sense in some bizarre kind of way, doesn't it?
Dared Tube Audio
Dared Mini Tube Review
Permalink | | Posted to Amplifiers Under $1k | Pre-Amps under $2k | Tube Amplifiers | Tube Pre-Amps
Prima Luna Prologue 3 and 5 Review
"6Moons Srajan" finds some cheap tube love from Prima Luna's $1295 preamp and $1295 amp putting out 36 watts. The man behind Prima Luna says this about his company:
"As an old veteran in the retail trenches, I had some input into certain features. Make sure you check out how these things are put together. There's nobody in the business right now who can beat us on how well our components are crafted."
Pretty big words. Srajan agrees these pieces are damn fine values with stellar workmanship. Not giant killers, he says, but definitely on his highly recommended list.
Prima Luna Prologue Review [6Moons]
Prima Luna Home
Permalink | | Posted to Amplifiers $1k to 3k | Pre-Amps under $2k | Tube Amplifiers | Tube Pre-Amps
Odyssey Audio Complete System
This system from Odyssey Audio contains the Khartago amplifier, Etessian passive pre-amp, Groneberg cables and Epiphany loudspeakers and costs $1500 for the whole package. Having a manufacture pre-package a whole system is a great idea - takes out all the guesswork of matching components which, of course, wouldn't matter much if it didn't sound great. Check out Scott Faller's review where he proclaims:
"I'll end the article with what I kept hearing people say over and over about the Odyssey Budget System. 'If I had it to do all over again, this system would be a no brainer.'"
Not too shabby. Soundstage also has a review of the package with similar high marks.
Odyssey Audio System Review [Enjoy the Music]
Odyssey Audio System Review [Soundstage]
Odyssey Audio Home
Permalink | | Posted to Amplifiers Under $1k | Interconnects under $500 | Pre-Amps under $2k | Speakers under $1k
Bryston New Integrated and Pre-Amps
Bryston, the only company in the history of the universe to offer a 20 year warranty, has released a slew of new products: the B100 SST integrated (pictured), the BP6 pre-amp and the BP26 pre-amp with outboard power supply.
The B100 offers, surprise, 100 watts of Bryston's crystal-clear solid-state power. Check out their site for more about these indestructible beasts and a heap of flattering reviews all beginning with "Did you know Bryston is the only company to offer a 20 year warranty?!?"
E-mail Bryston for prices or check with your local retailer. Expect to pay between $1500 to $3000.
Permalink | | Posted to Integrated Amp $1k to 3k | Pre-Amps $2k to 8k | Pre-Amps under $2k
Review: April Music's Stello CDT-200 and DP-200
Clement Perry of Stereo Times gives the April Music combo the Publisher's Choice Award for the most wanted component of 2005. Not too bad for the new kid on the block from Korea.
The CDT-200 is a CD-Player sans DAC while the DP-200 is a pre-amp with DAC. Prices are $1195 and $1995, respectively. If you haven't been reading the reports coming out of the last few electronics shows, then you've missed the glowing reviews of April Music's gear. All solid state and digitally based, April Music is gunning for serious market-share in the firry-hot $1k to 2k segment. Check out Clement's review for great comparisons to other top gear.
April Music Review [Stereo Times]
April Music [April Music Home]
Permalink | | Posted to DACs $1k to 5k | Disc players $800 to $2k | Pre-Amps under $2k
