Tube pre-amp suggestions

Spiffyfast
Spiffyfast Posts: 35
edited December 2012 in Electronics
Howdy folks, looking for some pre amp suggestions and not sure what to look for. I have a new anthem amp 1 that I'm loving so I think I want to stick going for the tube 2ch set up. I'd prefer something with home theater pass through as my SDA-2Bs are my mains for surround sound as well.

I'd like to stay under $1500 and am totally ok going the used route, but would prefer new. So far I'm leaning towards a PrimaLuna Prologue Three based on some reviews I've read.
Mains: Polk Audio SDA-2Bs
Center and Surrounds: Bic Acoustech
AVR: Pioneer 1015tx
Amp: Anthem Amp 1
Turntable: Project Debut III
Inputs: Xbox 360, Samsung BDP-1000, Apple TV
Post edited by Spiffyfast on
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Comments

  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited November 2012
    I'm looking for the same thing as you,and am thinking i'm gonna go with Rogue Audio Metis Pre. Have heard it and can say it sounded great! Great reviews online,and built in the USA! And can be had for under $2000! I Also am considering there 99 pre,but its around $2500. Decisions,decisions! Good Luck in your search!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • Spiffyfast
    Spiffyfast Posts: 35
    edited November 2012
    Ahh ok, I've seen Rogue Audio equipment on several sites, but never heard any of it myself.
    Mains: Polk Audio SDA-2Bs
    Center and Surrounds: Bic Acoustech
    AVR: Pioneer 1015tx
    Amp: Anthem Amp 1
    Turntable: Project Debut III
    Inputs: Xbox 360, Samsung BDP-1000, Apple TV
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2012
    I have a friend that has a PrimaLuna Prologue Three and is a nice pre.

    For half your budget a Anthem Pre 2L or Pre 2L SE would be a good choice, uses 4 6922s that can add another $500 for some nice tubes.

    A nice SS preamp is Nelson Pass designed Adcom GFP-750.

    Both have HT Bypass. While HT Bypass is handy is not required in HT setup.

    Some worth looking at but do not have HT Bypass is Manley and Dodd.

    Alot of people here seen to like some of the CHina made preamps, Dared I think is one. They upgrade caps, volume pots and tubes with good success from what I have read.

    I have seen good prices on used Joule Electra preamps, no HT bypass but I have heard Joule will add it for a fee on certain models.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited November 2012
    $1500 gets a nice Rogue for sure.
    Made in the USA and great support.
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

    Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords

    I’M OFFENDED!!!!
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited November 2012
    brgman wrote: »
    $1500 gets a nice Rogue for sure.
    Made in the USA and great support.

    +1. All of the Rogue gear I've heard always sounded fantastic. GLWTSearch!
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2012
    Belles 21 A,,or if you can find one,,Belles 20A
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited November 2012
    In that price range, it is wide open from Audio Research on down. I don't think you can go wrong with anything that was mentioned in this thread actually. Just remember, tube rolling after a bit can get expensive LOL.

    I have a question for you, what kind of sound are you looking for? Like for me, I was considering a conrad johnson but, because my speakers like a bit faster sound vs lush sound wound up going with an audio research. What are you trying to acomplish?

    The PrimaLuna Prologue three on sale looks like a great pre 2 - 12AX7, 2 - 12AU7, 2 - 5AR4. I took a look at the manual and it doesnt say what kind of tubes are being used ( brand ) and looks like its well bult unit. I wound't mind hearing one myself!!
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • Spiffyfast
    Spiffyfast Posts: 35
    edited November 2012
    Thanks for all the suggestions ... Think I'm going to keep an eye out for a used Anthem and do some research on the Rogue Audio options. Not in a huge hurry since a fellow forum member has been letting me borrow a Wright Audio tube pre for awhile, but I've got an itch to keep building my setup.
    Mains: Polk Audio SDA-2Bs
    Center and Surrounds: Bic Acoustech
    AVR: Pioneer 1015tx
    Amp: Anthem Amp 1
    Turntable: Project Debut III
    Inputs: Xbox 360, Samsung BDP-1000, Apple TV
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  • Spiffyfast
    Spiffyfast Posts: 35
    edited December 2012
    Rogue audio metis used for $800 with remote, thoughts?
    Mains: Polk Audio SDA-2Bs
    Center and Surrounds: Bic Acoustech
    AVR: Pioneer 1015tx
    Amp: Anthem Amp 1
    Turntable: Project Debut III
    Inputs: Xbox 360, Samsung BDP-1000, Apple TV
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2012
    I have not heard one but it is an interesting pre, headphone, phono stage and remote. TAS likes it. I am sure someone here has heard or even owned one and will weigh in.

    The world is your oyster with 6SN7 tubes.

    Love to see under the hood to see what kind of tweaks can be done.

    Good luck !
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited December 2012
    Odyssey Candela can be had new for $1500, uses two 12au7's and sounds quite nice with the stock JJ Tesla tubes. It rises to a whole new level with good quality nos tubes: RCA clear tops, Amperex 7316's.

    It can be had with remote for the volume control, extra outputs, and HT bypass. It's made in Indianapolis and comes with a 20 year warranty.

    I love mine :cool:
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2012
    anyone heard a Rogue audio metis preamp?
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited December 2012
    george daniel wrote: »
    Belles 21 A,,or if you can find one,,Belles 20A
    If you're dead set on tubes, I agree with this. SDA's are so laid back, I don't know how anyone puts more than one tubed component on them. But we like what we like. The Belles are nicely detailed as long as you can get the right tubes in it. I prefer tube pre SS amp, myself.
    design is where science and art break even.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2012
    newrival wrote: »
    If you're dead set on tubes, I agree with this. SDA's are so laid back, I don't know how anyone puts more than one tubed component on them. But we like what we like. The Belles are nicely detailed as long as you can get the right tubes in it. I prefer tube pre SS amp, myself.

    Never had a problem with all tubes and SDA sounding to laid back. SDAs with original XO, I agree but I find them to laid back even with SS gear.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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