More Modern Preamp Advice To Replace Marantz 7T

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Noahpdavis

New Member
First off, when i got this thing, I loved it - big step up at the time, but I've since upgraded everything around it.

Looking to spend around a grand for something used.

Current rig

Speakers - KEF R300
Preamp - Marantz 7T
Amp - Mcintosh 2105 (recapped)
Shchitt Uber Bifrost DAC - Chromecast Audio
Rega Fono - Systemdek IIX w/ 2M Bronze cart

Listening is 60% vinyl 40% Spotify HQ stream via chromecast audio

The last thing I changed was the addition of the Rega Fono phono pre. What I noticed when I compared to the 7T's built in phono pre was a smoothness in the highs. The 7T's phono pre sounded grittier. I'm guessing a full recap of the 7T would probably help out here, but I'm too much of a wuss to dive into all that point to point.

I'd like to try and make my setup a bit more detailed and analytical. The KEF's are on the darker side (in a good way) - I really liked the increased punch and highs/detail when I recapped my 2105. I kinda want to keep going in that direction w/o sacrificing smoothness or listen ability. Currently the ARC pre's/linestages sound like a great fit - detail with a hint of tube smoothness. I think the fact that I'm keeping the R300's/2105 means I don't wanna get more laid back/warm.

I'd be okay with a line stage or something with built in phono pre. If there's a built in, I'd shoot it out against the Rega and keep/dump it based on results. My other limitation is a 12" deep shelf, so there's that. The Mac listed below might be too deep.

Are there any other pre's or line stages in the $1000ish range I should be looking at besides these?

ARC SP-8
ARC Sp-9
ARC sp-14
ARC LS-7
Vincent SA-31
Audible Illusions Modulus 3
Mcintosh C30
Mcintosh C32
Mcintosh C33
Mcintosh C37
Conrad Johnson PV5
Conrad Johnson PV10

Thanks!
 
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APT Holman would be on my list.
Denon PRA-1500 too,if for no other reason than the XLR outs.
Sanyo C55+ makes the cut too.
Yamaha C4 is a nice pre for vinyl rigs.

Those are but a few of the many...

And I might even consider a new NAD C165BEE preamp with that budget.

FFT

Bret P.
 
Also consider Audio Research line stages such as the LS3,, LS7, etc. I've owned SP-6C and SP-9MKIII preamps and enjoyed them both. ARC can maintain virtually every piece of electronics they've ever produced.

Also had a NAD C162 for the garage system, but that was not in the same category sonically.
 
Schiit Freya. Brand new, $699, 5-year warranty. Switchable between tube gain (quad of 6SN7), jfet gain, or straight passive if you don't need the gain. Also there's the Saga which is either tube buffer (no gain) or straight passive.
 
Really hard to beat a gone-through Marantz 7T. I've been trying ever since I sold mine. I think you're right that you're really going to have to shuck out the dollars, though.

Maybe what you really meant to ask was whether AKers can recommend any techs who can bring out the best in early solid state? :naughty:
 
Ha! Well I suppose if someone has a reco I’d be curious how much a full 7T overhaul would cost. I’ve thought about doing it myself but I just think it’s above my pay grade.

Thanks for the additional pieces to be on the lookout for. I had the arc ls7 on my list (just missed one at echo hi-fi here in Portland!) but will add the 3 - any other line stages in their lineup to look for or avoid? Also I’ve thought about going passive - that schiit piece sounds cool cuz you have the option of adding gain or not.

Keep em coming!

winters860 said:
Really hard to beat a gone-through Marantz 7T. I've been trying ever since I sold mine. I think you're right that you're really going to have to shuck out the dollars, though.

Maybe what you really meant to ask was whether AKers can recommend any techs who can bring out the best in early solid state? :naughty:
Click to expand...
 
I wouldn't necessarily recommend the guy who overhauled mine based on ballooning wait time, the volume control not being right until fixed by a local guy who had some nasty things to say about the work that had been done, and his company having folded. I'm not sure I'd go for quite as extreme a resto-mod again, either. I think, by the time shipping was factored in, I had nearly $500 in the restoration.

Still, I feel like once it was sorted out, it was the best preamp I've owned before or since. Sexy as hell, with the chops to back it up. A true classic.
 
I checked out an LS7 from Echo Hifi. The highs/mids are clearer and more defined - less fatigue-y than the 7T. There might be *slightly* less punch on the low end, but it's tough to say. I am feeling like I'd probably like to drop the external phono pre, which is required as the LS7 is a linestage. I also bought a used Schiit Saga that should arrive sometime late this week. Goona repcap the 7T and see how much it changes. Probably gonna hang onto all 3 of them and do a shootout when i've got it all under one roof.
 
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