Tube Pre-amp under 600 dollars

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
edited November 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
So I have decided that more than likely for now I will be sticking with a SS amp for various reasons that dont need to be specified right now. I know lots of folks suggest getting a tubed pre to mate with a SS amp so you can enjoy some of the pro's of the tubes without some of the cons.

So if a fella were to say have around 500-600 bucks total for a pre what would you suggest?

I would need at least the following:

1. 2 RCA inputs
2. Remote for volume

I would also "like" the following:

1. Phono input
2. Remote that also has input switching
3. Coaxial input

I am aware of the Dared SL-2000a and its pretty high up on my list as well as the Dared MC-7P (slightly out of my budget). If I didnt need a remote I might also be looking at the Yaqin MS 12B.

So anyway suggest away.......

Note: I am aware that there are tube buffers that I could use to do something similar, however it adds the need for more IC's and I am trying to simply my system as much as I can. I am also aware I could get a tube integrated amp however again, tube amps require a bit more time to dedicate to listen to them, troubleshoot them, etc than I have at the present moment.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2013
    Rogue 66 or 66 Magnum.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2013
    That's a very tough order if you want remote at that price point. Good luck

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2013
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Rogue 66 or 66 Magnum.

    And those are in that price range?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2013
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Rogue 66 or 66 Magnum.

    Never seen one FS for $500-600, if I did, I'd own one. :biggrin:
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    And those are in that price range?

    None I've ever run across.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2013
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Never seen one FS for $500-600, if I did, I'd own one. :biggrin:
    heiney9 wrote: »
    None I've ever run across.

    H9

    LOL... that sucks.....

    So the Dared's are probably the best route then?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2013
    Well, I have been googling some older listings for the Rogue. Maybe you can get one at that price if you are patient or perhaps one that has some slight cosmetic issues.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2013
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Well, I have been googling some older listings for the Rogue. Maybe you can get one at that price if you are patient or perhaps one that has some slight cosmetic issues.

    H9

    Well I am VERY patient.... and for now my Sunfire performs adequately and since none of the pre's seem to have a DAC included I would need to buy a DAC to go with it and possibly a phono as it appears the Rouge 66 comes with either a remote OR phono stage, but not both. The Dared MC-7p has both.

    And while an integrated may add the DAC and remote and phono, I dont have the warm up time required for it to really sound the best.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited November 2013
    Why not save an extra 300-350 and wait for an Odyssey Candela?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2013
    VR3 wrote: »
    Why not save an extra 300-350 and wait for an Odyssey Candela?

    Because honestly I doubt I will ever have the scratch saved up to buy something in that range. Not impossible, but unlikely....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited November 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    And those are in that price range?

    When I purchased my Rogue Magnum 66 (remote) over a year ago, ~600 was the going price or at least from the pieces I saw. I was lucky enough to get mine for 650 shipped in excellent condition with a pair of RCA clear tops. I might have been just super lucky then hearing what you guys are saying. The economy wasn't so great last year either and prices were pretty low all around.
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited November 2013
    oops, never mind :-(
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    If I was able to drop $2k on my pre/mono combo, you can save an extra $300 for a tubed pre. Have some patience and quit buying random **** and you'll get there soon enough.

    Lol Skip I will see I just don't see that happening in the next bit. I can get to about 600 of if I sell my Denon and Sunfire. Any other cash would come from our downpayment on a house and that ain't happenin, as it appears my Citation isn't going to sell anytime soon.

    A used Dared SL-2000a would be right in line w my budget and potentially give me some room for a decent dac.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2013
    I have the MC-7P, it's great. The phono stage is fantastic. It does have a remote, but the remote is only for volume, not input switching. Save up a little more cash...
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited November 2013
    where there's a will there's a way, set up a special account, use coupons at the store, everytime you use a coupon put that amount in the account. take sandwiches to work, make your own coffee. get all the overtime you can or like me get that 401k loan. stay away from fast foods, go out to eat once or twice a month. everyday put the change in your pocket in a jar. just keep thinking preamp!!
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2013
    nspindel wrote: »
    I have the MC-7P, it's great. The phono stage is fantastic. It does have a remote, but the remote is only for volume, not input switching. Save up a little more cash...

    Yeah, the input switching would either be digital or TT and the TT requires me to get up anyway so that wouldnt be TOO much trouble.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2013
    marvda1 wrote: »
    where there's a will there's a way, set up a special account, use coupons at the store, everytime you use a coupon put that amount in the account. take sandwiches to work, make your own coffee. get all the overtime you can or like me get that 401k loan. stay away from fast foods, go out to eat once or twice a month. everyday put the change in your pocket in a jar. just keep thinking preamp!!

    Would love to do that however any of that money is going into the downpayment on a house right now. I literally have no cash in my slush audio fund as my wife drained it till after we get a house. If I sell some items I can build it back up, but otherwise any extra pennies are going toward a house, which I prefer as a house gets me a dedicated room for 2 channel more than likely.

    So for now I may just have to sit pat for another 9 months unless I can sell my Denon, Sunfire and find a steal on a DAC and the Dared SL-2000a and just keep the Citation 11 as my phono pre....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2013
    i'd stick with your status quo for now until you can afford the MC-7P. The MC-7P is a much better sounding pre than the SL-2000a, I've owned both. The 2000 is no slouch, but the MC-7P is in a different league.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2013
    This one is in your price range:
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-jolida-jd-5t-new-remote-tube-preamp-2013-10-22-preamplifiers-30067

    Maybe you can talk this guy down a little:
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-cary-aes-ae-3-mkii-preamp-with-remote-2013-11-11-preamplifiers-92807
    Jake
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited November 2013
    http://www.ys-audio.com/s2r.htm

    at a baseline level, this would work. For all your needs, not many tubed preamps with all that.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,204
    edited November 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    Have some patience and quit buying random **** and you'll get there soon enough.

    You could be talking to me with this statement. haha
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • laotzu61
    laotzu61 Posts: 327
    edited November 2013
    not sure if I'm allowed to mention THE auction site or not, but check out the dynaco pat3's on the site. usually a lot of nice one's
    on there; just have to keep a lookout. do a search on them. they are one vintage preamp that are still awesome. highly recommended in laura Dearborn's book "ggodsound".
    "The symbol is not the reality"
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