I have heard several preamps in my system. For my taste in music (pop, rock, mpb, tecno, jazz), right now the ranking (from best to worst) is:

#1 Krell KCT (great imaging, detail, great bass, realistic everything, very happy with its sound)
#2 VTL 7.5 series 3 (a bit better highs than KCT, worse bass and imaging)
#3 Audiopax Model 5 SE (great bass, imaging)
#4 Levinson 380S
#5 Dartzeel (very lean on the bass)

Given my preference for the Krell KCT, I am now looking forward to listening to the new Krell Phantom.

Cheers.

vn101606 October 28, 2011 00:33

System edited: Upgraded from Krell fbp 700cx to two Krells fbp 750mcx. They are the best amplifiers I have ever heard.

vn101606 September 22, 2011 02:26

Bigamp, I meant YOU have a great system too! I hope you find a great amplifier for it.

vn101606 September 07, 2011 15:51

Bigamp,

Thanks for you comments. I have a great system too! I am looking forward to these 500 hours of playback designs burn-in to finish (end of September). My Krell 750mcx monos, an Audience aR6-TS, 3 lessloss power cables, and two three-shelve racks should arrive next week. This weekend an electrician should install a third 20amp dedicated line.

I heard the VTL 7.5 series 3 and they sound great with the 700cx. I hope I will be able to hear the Dartzeel 18ns in my system (I want to hear how it sounds in terms of bass slam/visceral, the other attributes from what I read are exceptional, but bass is very important to me). I like to hear mostly pop, rock, jazz, MPB (Brazilian Music), tecno, very little classic.

Cheers.

vn101606 September 07, 2011 15:50

Great system and room. Based on your gear, I think we're on the same page on the type of sound we want from our gear. Looking forward to seeing which preamp you end up with for the Krells. Congrats on the PD dac. The sound will change substantially after a few hundred hours.

bigamp September 04, 2011 14:12

System edited: Using a New Mac Mini 2011 i7 2.7ghz 8GB RAM 256GB SSD with Pure Music. Music ripped with XLD. Using DH Labs USB cable.

vn101606 September 03, 2011 22:08

System edited: Received the Playback Designs MPD-5. Starting the 500hour burn-in.

vn101606 September 03, 2011 22:00

System edited: Had my Krell FBP 700cx modified by Krell dealer to accept a separate power cord. Tested Krell Vector HC and Transparent Powerling MM. Krell Vector HC was clearly better in my system so I puchased it.

vn101606 July 30, 2011 20:44

Too bad Dunlavy is not around anymore, those are just wonderful speakers.

davidwjones July 28, 2011 20:52

Or VTL 7.5 mark III?

vn101606 March 08, 2011 16:15

Levinson 32 or Audio Research Ref 5, what is your recommendation? Bass is very important for me.

vn101606 March 07, 2010 20:16

Jimateo, I never found the manual for the Dunlavy, sorry. I can tell you that the Stereophile review of the SC-VI has everything the manual says and more.

vn101606 December 13, 2009 23:26

Thank you. You have a beautiful system, I sure it sounds great. I will see if I can try a tube preamp in my system.

vn101606 December 13, 2009 23:16

Hi Vincente! The system looks terrific! Did you ever find the manual for the Dunlavy's?
If you get a chance, take a look at my system. I updated the equipment list and photo's.
Take care my friend. Happy listening!

Jim

jimateo December 13, 2009 23:08

System edited: Just moved to a new apartment, with a larger room. Got it treated too. Used an E-trap to decrease a room mode at 39hz.

vn101606 December 13, 2009 17:41

Nice setup. Awesome choice of gear. Did you solve your room modal problems?

shadorne June 08, 2009 01:44

Heykay,
Thanks. I noticed this thing about the 32 vs.202 supply, however, they discontinued the #32 and the #202 is in production, so maybe there are just more Evo 202 produced. I will try to get a 202 to test in my system.
Cheers.

vn101606 June 07, 2009 22:30

Also you might want to check with (Gr8deal3) I noticed that he is using a EMMDCC2eSE as a preamp with Krell FPB650mc monos and I know he used to have a 700cx with a KCT preamp at one time.

heykay May 14, 2009 05:02

I haven't had a chance to listen to the Evo 202/700cx combo yet right now I'm using the 202 with a KSA-150 and don't have a lot of time to listen to that setup even. However with the resale value of Krell equipment a consideration I think if I were you I would stick with the ML 380s or get the ML 32 ref there has been three Evo 202s as well as my 222 for sale for months and no sale on the other hand I just saw two ML 32 ref fly off the shelves in less than two weeks which kind of tells you that the Krells are not a very desirable items.

heykay May 14, 2009 04:51

Heykay,

Please let me know how the Evo202 and Krell 700cx sound together, and how would you compare it with the Levinson 380S/Krell 700cx combo I now have.
Thank you in advance,

Vicente

vn101606 March 10, 2009 13:21

I forgot to mention it's probably going to take months to sell the 222 in this economy. I also forgot to mention that I am going to be using a Rel Studio III to fill in where the Sophias roll off. and would also like to try the Krell 505 sacd player but for right now I will use a Goldmund mimesis 39 transport and Audio Horizons 3.0n tube dac good luck with your decision on preamps.

heykay February 09, 2009 06:01

Hi sorry it was late that night when I read your thread or I should say misread and responded thought you had heard or read that there was no comparison between ML32 and the Evo 202. I decided against the ML32 based on the CAST because of reading reviews and opinions saying thats the way to get the best out of the Krell gear. I ended up purchasing an Evo 222 which I never got a chance to try with the 700cx and is up for sale right now because of purchase of an Evo 202 to run with the 700cx and Wilson Sophias as soon as I can install a 200amp panel to run dedicated lines because theres no more breakers left on my 100amp panel have to wait and see how it goes.

heykay February 09, 2009 04:38

Heykay, I have not, I am looking for a comparison between the Evo 202 and the Levinson 32, I have read only about them individually.

vn101606 February 02, 2009 22:38

Hi were did you read about the ML 32 verses the Krell Evo 202 doesn't seem like it would be a complete thumbs down on the 202? I also had an ML 380s running a Krell 700cx and still have the 700cx. Sence I sold the 380s have been thinking of a Krell preamp KCT or Evo so as to use the CAST cables. Was it in a review or just audiogon talk or have you heard the Evo/700cx combo?

heykay December 31, 2008 07:07

I am thinking about my next preamp. I can't test them in my system because I am in Brazil and this is not an option. I read the Levinson 32 is better than the 380S I have, but the higher frequecies are not perfect. I read little about the Krell Evo 202, and since I have Krell FBP700CX I an use the CAST connectors, but I have read no comparison between the Levinson 32 and the Krell Evo 202. Another option seems to be tube, like the ARC Ref 3, but it seems they have great mids and highs, but not so much control on the lows. Any oppinions/experiences with these three preamps?

vn101606 November 16, 2008 14:09