IT’S OVER! LONG SEARCH For an Audiophile Pre-Amp of my Dreams for Home Audio!

[@Jayiyagi]

*hey guys! Thank you for stopping by! Let me know what YOUR favourite tube or solid state pre-amplifiers are!* Aric Audio Motherlode XL Tube Pre-amplifier: aricaudio.com/the-motherlode-xl/ Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/jayiyagi follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jays_iyagi/ follow on Facebook: facebook.com/jayiyagiofficial Follow soundstage take 2 reviews: kzbin.info/aero/PLPOzvlhtSqn5xdc__ftuSt4Rxy_wm5Af0 Speaker stands: amzn.to/3ssRhI3 Better speaker stands: solidsteel.it/my-product/ss-7-vintage-hi-fi-speaker-stands/ acoustic panels I use: ua-acoustics.com/ acoustic curtain: amzn.to/31d1zAM BDI Cabinet I use: bit.ly/2OJRwQQ amzn.to/3chBuFZ other BDI Cabinets: bit.ly/3ctxXV1 amzn.to/30bsUCH my fav hifi tweaks: (Isoacoustics devices) amzn.to/3j5FGvM 0:00 ARIC AUDIO Motherlode XL Tube Pre-Amplifier 1:07 ARIC Audio Motherlode XL Build Quality Review 6:32 ARIC Audio Motherlode XL Sound Quality Review 16:10 ANK Mentor Comparison teaser 17:36 Mcintosh C1100 VS ARIC Motherlode XL

[@goodsound4756]

Looking forward to Galions tube pre amp offering (later dis year)

[@abxaudiophiles]

A Hi-End tube pre amp can really bring our systems to the next level!!! Well done sir and great review. ❤

[@ronkindel9734]

It’s so refreshing to see a review that is not just another take on the same product that everyone else has already covered. Love to hear about great sounding gear from small companies like this. Keep em coming Jay!

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Beautiful looking pre. Certainly checks a lot of boxes from a BOM and build perspective. I can imagine it sounds as described.

[@cured808]

My Aric Super 2A3/45 is being built right now!

[@Jayiyagi]

Whoo hoo!

[@jm_1214]

2a3 can be pretty sweet with the correct speaker. Has to be high impedance and at least 100db sensitive. When you get the speaker right the 2a3 is magic

[@danijel-c]

@@jm_1214Not necessary. The impedance curve must only be relatively flat and you are good to go.

[@vendelius]

Sounds like a superb piece .. thanks

[@yellow_noise3]

I am so proud of my home country Poland! Khosmo is polish high end attenuator producer. I love that american company incorporated it to their product. It is something! You Jay say and discover lot of Korean high end products here and my kudos to you, great I can say some good also of my country. Please try Staccatto discrette opams, Closer Acoustic and/or Qualio Audio speakers. You will love them!

[@HareDeLune]

Yes I had heard of Aric Audio but it was a while ago and I was never familiar with their products. Consequently, seeing this review was a real treat for me! That pre is a real thing of beauty, inside and out. Congratulations on getting to review it, Jay!

[@suwatt6019]

Been waiting for this one man! Well done and congrats on 100k again🎉

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thanks Jay ' nothing like HAND CRAFTED !

[@bernardchesneau3091]

Hattor Preamps are little know gems.

[@yippie6862]

Jay showed us his Motherlode and we will never be the same.

[@Jayiyagi]

😂

[@yippie6862]

@@Jayiyagi 😉Sorry man, it was such an easy joke to come up with. Had to do it. Thanks for the review. Also, for introducing what is for many of us, a new audio brand.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Enthusiasm here is pretty clear - joy. Nice stuff.. Over that shoulder though .. =P

[@jm_1214]

Nice wiring

[@trungvu7182]

I was looking for an end game tube preamp too and found Melody HiFi P1688 Signature is an amazing amp. Use it with Linlai 6SN7 and 101D

[@backrack01]

I have this on a very short list of tube preamps. My coda no.8 impedance balanced is very limiting with tube line stages. I've been looking for balanced tube premaps with low impedance for a while. Not v easy lol. The coda..balanced only gives me 10k ohms to play with.

[@G00dwILLHuNt1n9]

fast forward to 2065 and Jay still posting how the search is finally over.

[@Jayiyagi]

can you imagine me in 2065? Scary thoughts

[@bikeman7982]

My favorite preamp is no preamp. I'm a big fan of digital or resistor ladder volume controls in DACs.

[@Eugene737]

Looks like I found another preamp to try over my modwright LS100. I really wish they didn’t use stickers for the labels on the back but it is on the back. Thanks for the review Jay and congrats on 100k

[@NickP333]

High praise, but seems warranted, seeing the hand wired high quality parts where they matter, apparently resulting in a great sounding preamp with great imaging and soundstage. It seems like a no brainer even at $6,500 if that’s what you’re looking for, and wanna buy your last preamp. Love the classic wooden based PSU and preamp section. Thanks very much, Jay. Appreciate your thoughts on this preamp. 🔊✌️🎶😊 Edit: Also great to see actual quality transformers and not a cheap chip used for the balanced inputs, plus switchable balanced or SE outputs.I looked up the input impedance is apparently 500K and an output of 300 ohms, so it should work great with pretty much any amplifier driving it. This preamp really checks of most of, if not all the boxes for me. Thanks again, Jay.

[@NickP333]

*****⭐️I meant to type 50K input impedance, not 500K…lol

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

That's exactly how a good preamplifier sounds .....and that's the privilege of tubes .....I experienced also that the vert best /natural /human performancres were recorded with tubes arround 1966....this when having listened over the years to more than 4000 thousand records ..... But Ibuild my preamplifiers and amplifiers myself ........took a lifetime living and working with tubes , only NOS tubes will excell over current production .........

[@KeithSkronek]

Excellent review. I’ve been looking at this preamp to potentially replace my Conrad Johnson ET7-S2 Enhanced-Triode Preamplifier. They retail for about the same price, but it’s hard not to admire the build quality of Aric Audio.

[@net_news]

amazing but too expensive for me sadly :(

[@AudiophileToday]

So nice to see a preamp that doesn't have a gazillion PCB's inside. Aric Audio equipment is handmade to order, no mass production here.

[@Jayiyagi]

Oh absolutely. Everything hand made. Awesome to see

[@stephencosta6814]

❤ very nice 👍

[@stevieg2755]

The nice thing about point to point is easily upgraded and to service,it will basically last 50 years assuming it doesn't use PVC jacketed wiring,but hi end good wiring

[@CashGravel]

I’m sure it’s wonderful. I can’t imagine any of your viewers ever buying that piece however. That’s a hell of a lot of money for a preamp.

[@Pok-001]

You would be surprised. And if you have good quality separates already then selling you’re gear to upgrade makes it more attainable

[@052RC]

The preamp is the most important piece to get right and $6500 isn't that much for a good one. I have a couple of preamps that cost more than this one.

[@NosEL34]

Yep. ​@@Pok-001

[@PGHJR002]

Don Sachs Model 2 is a pretty impressive unit. And for solid state I would probably use the Daniel Hertz Maria integrated from Mark Levinson

[@Jayiyagi]

Thats interesting! My friend had the Don Sachs (I don't know the exact model) and heard the ARIC in my room and decided to switch. I'm not sure if he still has it, if he does I'll see if I can borrow it from him to see for myself! Oh and yes I heard the Maria, albeit it at a show setting but very good stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[@stephencosta6814]

Jay, do you prefer the choco sound or the Billy amp? Mark? 2. Integrated amplifiers❤❤❤

[@Jayiyagi]

Honestly it depends on the system but since my current main speakers are the MonAcoustic Platimons, I find that the Choco is a better match

[@bryantai747]

The preamp is not transformer-coupled at the output stage, as stated on the product page, it uses jupiter copper foil capacitors for output stage. Therea a reason some of the best preamps like VAC, Allnic, ares cerat, BAT....they use transformer-coupled output stage (as well as the input).

[@Jayiyagi]

It is transform coupled for the xlr output and input

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ☕️🍩 A label maker or have the manufacturer put input number on the display ..I’m mean $7k 😵‍💫

[@nathanevans6277]

I see that you have the Belanger & Bisson, Conversations album on show again. It truly is a stunning album and one of the best recordings I've ever heard. The album was produced in conjunction with Lily Luo of XLO. XLO are a high end cable manufacturer. I became aware of conversations via XLO. My good friend has his system wired entirely with their cables. We have tried quite a wide variety of cables and in his system they were by far the best. Unfortunately they didn't gel with my system, synergy is crucial. Have you tried any XLO cables? I'd like to hear your opinion.

[@Jayiyagi]

I've known lily over 10 years now. wow... and of course I have tried XLO cables and even bought some of them in the past. I still have them somewhere. I find that in a warm/dark system, it can really bring out details but that's just me

[@nathanevans6277]

It would appear that this amplifier presents solid evidence that component quality is of paramount importance. Any of you who think boutique components are snake oil, take note.

[@StefanUrkel]

Looks like a Bottlehead Crack w/ Speedball!

[@srikantgeorges]

Thank you for the excellent video and the info on a less known brand. I think you mentioned in a past video the Modwright Ls100 as one of your preamps… but I have not noticed any comparaison or mention of it sonically. Were you thinking of talking about it on its own or using it as a comparaison? It’s a great company with very good customer service, but not too many quality videos on their products for some reason. Thanks and congrats on the 100k!

[@Jayiyagi]

Thats a good pre amp I used to own. I did alot of tube rolling and I might revisit it but it wasn’t as good as the Aric or ANK from memory.

[@srikantgeorges]

Thank you!

[@rickg8015]

It would be nice if Aric used custom Jensen or Cinemag High or Half-Nickel output transformers at this price point.

[@Jayiyagi]

I mean... it's a boutique brand. They need to cover business expenses and also make profit. I'm sure he would be more than happy to entertain custom parts if your willing to pay more

[@EskWIRED]

They need someone in the shop who can route the wires in a better manner. It looks completely amateurish inside. I shudder to imagine the quality of the solder joints.

[@stevieg2755]

Yes if I was the owner I would do that myself if needed,

[@EskWIRED]

@@stevieg2755 Me too. Seeing it raises immediate red flags. I would think twice or maybe three times before buying a vintage DynaKit that looked like that on the inside.

[@Jayiyagi]

it may look a bit messy and I felt the same way when I first opened it but if you see carefully, its routed and wired in a way to achieve the shortest signal path. It's a trade off of what you will never see unless you open it VS shortest signal path for sound quality. Personally, I'd take the latter option any day

[@EskWIRED]

@@Jayiyagi there are a lot of messy wires in there which are not in the signal path.

[@baycchief3785]

How does this sound sonically compare to Integrated Pre/Amp like the flag ship of Electrocompanient, Aavik, Daniel Hert etc.? I know those are not tubes but they do have some characteristics of a tube sounding. The preamp on this one + a decent Class D amp like the AGD would pump it way over $15K.

[@backrack01]

Any experience with Backert Labs Rhumba? Tube premaps that have low impedance and that are balanced are hard to come by.

[@_WTR_]

For me, it came down to either Aric's preamp featured here or Backert's Rhumba Extreme. A deal on a Rhumba Extreme 1.3 fell into my lap that I just could not pass up on. Couldn't be happier with the purchase, especially now that I've had plenty of time to get familiar with it over the last several months. Although, for curiosity's sake, it would have been nice to have had an opportunity to audition the Motherlode preamp at some point prior to making the final decision.

[@Jayiyagi]

ah unfortunately I don't have any experience with it

[@Dinolobe376]

Whats the point of having balanced inputs if you have to convert them back to single ended for the amplification, and back to balanced at the output ? That’s just a very fancy and expansive courtesy XLR plug that doesn’t provide any real advantages since the actual amplification circuit isn’t balanced 🤷‍♂️

[@Jayiyagi]

Well can you imagine a fully balanced version of this? It would essentially cost double since its 2X all the components in a potentially bigger chassis! At least they are using quality transformers

[@052RC]

I understand what you are saying, but there are some benefits. Its good if you have other components that are only balanced. Also, it allows you to run long IC's if the unit isn't close to the amps. But you're right in that it really won't sound any better using the balanced connections. Also, I don't think the price would double to make the component fully balanced. You only have to double up on the components in the signal path.

[@NosEL34]

I don't have an issue with that part of the circuit.

[@fabient9162]

Fully Balanced preamplifier circuit , if perfectly done (only really possible with IC circuit because discrete circuit will never match an IC wafer) , cancels 2nd harmonic which you probably do not want to achieve here for the sound objective. However it is still beneficial to have balanced connections outside of the equipment to cancel noise pickup by long interconnect cables. If you use positive and negative discrete circuit (balance) then since they do not cancels enough then there is no gain and it only uses more parts….

[@rocko6746]

Thanks for the great review. Did you roll any tubes? What Arendal Subs are those?

[@Jayiyagi]

Yes but I liked the tubes that Aric sent with it the best. Those are the arendal 1s subs

[@ELcinegatto87]

Very nice piece. I'm personally more of a fan of solid state/digital or analog front end with tube power amplification. Especially if you've got high sensitivity speakers the noise floor of most tube pres is just too high for my liking. I Don't like hearing any hiss at all from my listening position when nothings playing. Also as for Mac, I have a soft spot for them given the history and all but Accuphase and Audio Research is better.

[@Jayiyagi]

I know what you mean but I had the Aric with sensitive speakers too and it was dead quiet

[@pt7628]

Hello Jay.. Do you know if the aric products can be bought in europe? As you know we use 230 voltage in Europe..

[@Jayiyagi]

I'm sure it can be modified to be sent to Europe but you would have to ask ARIC directly.

[@fletchermunson6225]

90% of Canadians live within 100 miles of the border so things get blurred. Welcome to the adjacent USA. We even use the same 115v mains voltage.

[@MasterofPlay7]

But if you are not earning the American dollars you are a second class citizens

[@yellow_noise3]

​@@MasterofPlay7haha. Be mindful. Canada has a lot good to offer! For instance Thomas Galion stuff. I like Canada!!! Greetings from PA!

[@tudorsomkereki9603]

Jay, how it compares with the PS Audio BHK preamplifier?

[@Jayiyagi]

It just doesn’t! Initially it did and then it broke in…

[@HareDeLune]

@@Jayiyagi 😆👍😎

[@MrBonger88]

Interesting preamp. Do you know anything about the 6 position output level control ? It also lists the Khozmo remote volume controller w digital display. Does that mean that there’s a remote control available? Really curious how this compares to my Audio Research preamp. It looks like it has better parts and is half the price. The only thing is it lacks a lot of the functionality

[@Jayiyagi]

It comes with a remote thats standard remote that come with khozmo volume controllers

[@woody168]

Is it suffice to say, that we will have a shootout between PS Audio Aspen FR-5 versus Axxess L1 coming soon?

[@Jayiyagi]

;)

[@cdgerhart]

It says the Khozmo is remote controlled, but no mention of an actual remote. Does it have one?

[@Jayiyagi]

yes its comes with standard Khozmo remote that comes with Khozmo remote controllers

[@GIBKEL]

Do you have a separate EQ….Im from the old school so maybe folks don’t eq these days? Thanks for the review-

[@Jayiyagi]

If you are a fan of EQ, you can get a unit that has an EQ like the Eversolo DMPA6 or A8 and run it fixed output to the ARIC audio. But no, the pre-amp itself does not have an EQ functionality

[@HudyGamer14]

Congrats on 100k subs. In comparison to Doge 8 Clarity, what are your thoughts?

[@Jayiyagi]

Doge 8 Clarity is leaner and less warmth but great airy high frequency. Lots of spaciousness. Still over-all musicality and performance I think Aric wins here... clearly there's the difference in parts quality as well as the cost

[@torarnekvaly7753]

I am curious how this compares to the Doge 8 tube preamp?

[@Jayiyagi]

Doge 8 Clarity is leaner and less warmth but great airy high frequency. Lots of spaciousness. Still over-all musicality and performance I think Aric wins here... clearly there's the difference in parts quality as well as the cost

[@scottwheeler2679]

Disclosures? Did you buy this unit to review it? Was it a loaner? A "gift?" What affiliations are there between you and this company?

[@Jayiyagi]

Unless it is clearly stated otherwise, all videos are not sponsored, no money or product exchanged hands. Product was sent for honest impressions and then its returned unless I buy it

[@scottwheeler2679]

@@Jayiyagi So it was a long term loan. Are you going to buy it?

[@Jayiyagi]

@@scottwheeler2679 maybe... trying to decide between the ANK mentor and the ARIC like I said in the video

[@NosEL34]

I dig it & i can really appreciate a good tube preamp. I think the attention to detail & parts in the power supply really paid off with this preamp. Thanks for the review & sharing your thoughts. Does anyone know which Edcor balanced transformers are used on the output?

[@Jayiyagi]

I don't know the exact type but if you message Aric, I'm sure he will be more than happy to let you know

[@howardskeivys4184]

So, if that preamp is “truly high end”? Then please define ‘high end’ or at least differentiate between the two.

[@Jayiyagi]

its a pretty loose term. I only meant it to say that the performance based on what I've heard in the high-end market is on par and also the parts quality

[@oleksiifilippov68]

Jay! Noise recommends you to get a life and buy Musical Fidelity. At least for Suwat.

[@Jayiyagi]

😂

[@ryanchenoweth5673]

Ahh no remote

[@Jayiyagi]

yes remote. I'll make sure to film it next time but its the same on all khozmo remote controllers

[@fadetoblack.-]

At close to $7000 w/ tax.😮 it better be nice! I’m sure they sent you this for free since you’re doing a video on it.Good for you.

[@Jayiyagi]

Yes products are sent to me for review but I do not get to keep them for free. This unit was sold to a customer already and will be shipped soon. I might get one in maple but you are right... the price point is pretty hefty

[@fadetoblack.-]

@@Jayiyagi they should let you keep it! You’re advertising is powerful

[@Jayiyagi]

@@fadetoblack.- nah, I don't think demanding such a thing is ethical. I'm just a dude sharing his opinion on products I love. They do have less expensive ones that I might check out later but I'll dearly miss these.

[@fadetoblack.-]

@@Jayiyagi you putting in work to make videos! Time is money! But you do the best for what you see fit many blessings! Btw if you sell 2 of these off your videos they would be ecstatic!

[@flash4973]

@@Jayiyagiwell to be fair he does have a point, you are advertising their products and even if you are indeed just sharing your passion it deserves to be paid i believe. You’ve just made a 21 minutes video of you explaining all the details about the product, this alone can be worth way more than 7k given your audience. But i get what you are saying and it shows your character, i think it’s nice that you see it like this but every once in a while i think companies should be kind and let you keep the product if you truly love it, because it means they make something so good that even a reviewer who sees tons of gear every year decided to use their creation.