[net.audio] More Preamp Info !

mohler@druxu.UUCP (MohlerDS) (07/29/85)

First, yes there is at least one preamp available 
at less than 1500.00 that equals
the performance of some of the most costly units, more on this later
in the posting. 

Second over this past week-end I had an oportunity
to listen to the Krell PAM-3 again under more controlled listening
situations and found the following. It is a very good unit but I
found that transients and details are not as accurate as say a Spectral
DMC-10 Gamma or the top Mark Levinson Preamps ML-7A, ML-6A. If you like 
slightly "laid-back" sound this is an excellent unit. I believe that
the gain modules are slower and the design rolls off the high end just
slightly compared to the most accurate preamps. So I must alter my
previous statement that the Krell PAM-3 is the best sounding - most
accurate preamp I have heard. Under the listening situation I last heard
the Krell, it was the best I had heard. Now under better listening
conditions with cloely controlled levels and loading, the Krell preamp is
excellent but the Spectral, the Levinson and a couple other units
came out as more detailed, more dynamic and imaged better.

A note to those that suggested I look at the
Klyne, the Robertson, and a small tube company's preamp ( A company
on the west cost
that I don't have the name handy for). I am in the process of trying to test
or re-test some of these units. If I can borrow them I will report on what
I find. I have not heard the Robertson or the tube unit yet. I have heard
the Klyne and it is excellent, but I will reserve my comments until I
can test it under the same conditions that changed my opinion of the
Krell unit.

In continued testing, all this is double blind, the Threshold FET2/II
outperformed the Krell and may even equal the Spectral and Levinson
and other top preamps. The Spectral DMC-5 didn't quite equal the
performance of the Threshold. The Krell PAM-5 appears to sound similar
to the type of sound that the Krell PAM-1 and PAM-3 have only not quite
as good. To those that have listened to older Threshold equipment and
did not like it, they have improved alot! Listen to them, if you like 
detailed, clean, dynamic sound this is a bargain compared to the units
that are in the same league with it. To those that own a FET2/I or a
FET1/I, Threshold offers an update to the new model (for a FEE!). The
improvement in sound is not subtle!

In double blind listening, one listener picked the Threshold over the
Krell 100% of the time with CD's and records as input over a four
hour listening session!

The Bryston preamps and the ARC preamp that I recommend under 1000.00
do not quite match the Threshold FET2/II. I will post more details
on preamps as I continue to test them. Anyone who owns the Krell or
is thinking of buying one, it is an excellent unit, and depending
on your listening preferences you may still prefer it. However if
you like the ultimate in accuracy and detail try listening to the
Spectral DMC-10 Gamma you might like it as well or better.

			David S. Mohler
			AT&T - ISL @ Denver
			drune!mohler or druxu!mohler