Tube Pre Amp

Toolfan66
Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
edited January 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
If you were looking for a Tube Pre-Amp say in the $1500-$2000 range, what would you look at or get?


Thanks!!
Post edited by Toolfan66 on
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited December 2013
    Used Joule or new/used Rogue
    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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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited December 2013
    BAT !!!! but I am now biased, if you can find one then for sure a Mystere pre. Mystere is high end primaluna but diff division
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited December 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    In addition to those, I'd also look at Melody. You could also look at Belles or a few of the items from Grant Fidelity, like the Consonance pieces.

    Melody for that price cannot be done for under 3 as it retails for 5.5k but the same Mystere is almost identical in build that retails for 3k new. Both brands are high end primaluna with melody at the top of the food chain
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited December 2013
    BAT VK5i. Can be had for around $1500-1900. U'll never look back, or need to look forward again! Just my .02
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited December 2013
    Agree, every BAT I've heard is phenominal! I recommend buying one that uses 6922's and not 6H30's however as you are stuck with one choice of tube with the 6H30. That's my .02.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited December 2013
    The Rogue 99 Magnum FS right in our own forum

    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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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited December 2013
    Joule would also be my choice

    Also with phonu stage for your new TT

    http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/Preamplifier-Tube/Joule-Electra/LA-100MKIII-W-OPS-1/Line-Stage-Tube-preamp-with-outboard-all-tube-phono-stage/88299
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited December 2013
    I'd go with the Rogue--- I like the 6sn7 sound/body.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited December 2013
    Don't have one (yet...)
    But this one is i your budget :)
    Modwright SWL 9 SE
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-modwright-swl-9-0-se-tube-preamp-2013-12-28-preamplifiers-11743--2
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited December 2013
    Joule
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited December 2013
    george daniel wrote: »
    I like the 6sn7 sound/body.

    Me, too! I'm partial to the Cary SLP-98.
    If you can do without XLR connections, I would put it at the top of your list! Very, very enjoyable.

    Thanks again for the comp!

    G
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited December 2013
    Thanks Guys, I don't have a lot of experience with tube pre's,

    I had a belles, and was not excited about it, maybe synergy.. The Dodd ELP was nice, and the Dared SL2000 is for me just OK..

    I want something that will blow me away...
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited December 2013
    I want something that will blow me away...

    Joule, a perennial top 5 favorite.

    BAT, Cary and VTL are worthy too.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited December 2013
    Tool, Joule will make you drool!
    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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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited January 2014
    Which Belles did you have Larry? Was it a Belles 21a pre? That's a nice pre-amp! Maybe (as you said) synergy was not in your favor though.......

    Have never heard the Joule, but have heard a Cary and VTL pre and they are both good. I have owned two BAT pres and for good reason. Still recommend them (BAT), especially if you want fully balanced. If it doesn't matter if it's fully balanced, then I know Jesse's recommendation of the Joule (and brgman's) is a good one I'm sure........
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,416
    edited January 2014
    Another way to go here is with a Dodd Reference. Great preamp.

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-dodd-reference-preamplifier-2013-12-24-preamplifiers-78726
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited January 2014
    Finding a Joule does not seem like it will be easy..
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited January 2014
    What are you looking to get out of a tube preamp? Bloomy, tubey midrange and more subtle highs, or tight authoritative bass with clearer more extended highs?
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited January 2014
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Finding a Joule does not seem like it will be easy..

    Patience grasshopper!
    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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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2014
    here's one

    http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/Preamplifier-Tube/Joule-Electra/LA-100MKIII-W-OPS-1/Line-Stage-Tube-preamp-with-outboard-all-tube-phono-stage/88299
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited January 2014
    george daniel wrote: »
    here's one

    http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/Preamplifier-Tube/Joule-Electra/LA-100MKIII-W-OPS-1/Line-Stage-Tube-preamp-with-outboard-all-tube-phono-stage/88299

    Also includes an outboard tube phono stage....saweeet
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2014
    yep--- that could be the last pre that one owns.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited January 2014
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-joule-electra-la-150-mk2-tube-line-stage-golden-ear-winner-2014-01-01-preamplifiers-01702-framingham-ma

    This could be it!!!!!
    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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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2014
    aboroth00 wrote: »
    What are you looking to get out of a tube preamp? Bloomy, tubey midrange and more subtle highs, or tight authoritative bass with clearer more extended highs?
    +1...
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited January 2014
    If your looking for a hint of warmth with solid highs without being overly bloomy, the audio research line might also be a good consideration. The sp16 has a solid phono stage and uses 12ax7. They have 2 versions with and without phono. You have a lot to choose from in your price range. Like others aksed, what kind of sound do you like?

    I have to agree with everyone's suggestions here. The rest depends on your taste.
    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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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited January 2014
    Piece de Resistance!

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-joule-electra-la-300me-preamp-2014-01-03-preamplifiers-11579
    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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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited January 2014
    I have a nice dared fs in the flea market at half your budget but it sounds great if your not wanting to spend big. I can say that put together with the wyred 4 sound amp the bass is really snappy
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  • rromeo923
    rromeo923 Posts: 1,513
    edited January 2014
    It would be so awesome to sit in your own house in your own listening room and be able to audition say 10 different pre amps and amp combinations. Otherwise I really dont know what to tell you because I have never heard any of these. I know I really like my ConradJohnson PV2 (old technology) that I bought used for $350. I am sure these others sound good/maybe even great but how much better than what I have???
    The hazards of this hobby....
    I got static in my head
    The reflected sound of everything
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited January 2014
    For transparency in your price range a used SAS Audiolabs 11A cant be beat
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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