WTB: Eastern Electric MiniMax pre amp

pglbook

I am looking for an Eastern Electric MiniMax pre amp. I have heard that this tubed pre amp would be a great match for my (arriving soon) McCormack DNA .5 Deluxe Rev B power amp. I had a lead on one (thanks to a tip from a few PF members) that was recently listed on Audio Circle but that one unfortunately sold this afternoon. Please pm me if anyone has one for sale. I figure if I am going to dive into the rabbit hole I may as well dive deep down. Thanks.

Clipdat

While I personally think there are better pairings to go with your new amp, @MrBuhl might be persuaded to part with his for the right price.

pglbook

Clipdat wrote: »

While I personally think there are better pairings to go with your new amp, @MrBuhl might be persuaded to part with his for the right price.

Thanks, clipdat. I'll have to reach out to Mr. Buhl to see if he may want to part with his Eastern Electric MiniMax pre.

I am also curious what you think would be "better pairings' to go with the DNA .5 Deluxe power amp. Please pm me your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks.

tonyb

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649433318-vtl-25-tube-preamplifier-local-sale/

This ^^^

dragon1952

A Minimax just popped up on Audiogon, $600 or best offer.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9c850-eastern-electric-minimax-pre-tube

I paid $775 for my modded one almost 5 yrs ago.

pglbook

dragon1952 wrote: »

A Minimax just popped up on Audiogon, $600 or best offer.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9c850-eastern-electric-minimax-pre-tube

I paid $775 for my modded one almost 5 yrs ago.

Thanks, dragon. This is just crazy...I bought one last night for $700 from a fellow PF member and he shipped it this afternoon so it is on its way...and today this one appears for sale on Audiogon for $600...and the craziest part of all is...the Seller is in the same city where I live, Cohoes, NY. That is just nuts. These EE MiniMax pres rarely appear for sale so what are the odds of that happening? Totally crazy. But I am still very glad to be getting the one from the PF member...I know he took great care of it ...he included 3 extra tubes...and he has already been a great resource in answering my many questions since I am tube newbie. Thanks again for pointing out the link...I would have jumped on it in a minute..and could have picked it up locally tonight...had I not already bought one yesterday from a fellow Polkie.

dragon1952

Ha ha....wow, now that is just totally crazy for sure...especially considering the guy's local :^ /
So, offer the guy $550 cash and then sell one for $700. Like you said, they rarely come up for sale. You can recoup some cash and keep the extra tubes. Then send whichever one you keep to Tom Tutay for the mods and you have a keeper pre for many, many years :^ )

pglbook

I know. I have been thinking of making an offer for the local MiniMax..but then I come to my sense and tell myself that I just spent a lot of money on new equipment in the past 2 weeks (McCormack DNA .5 Deluxe Rev B amp and an EE MiniMax pre) and really can't justify spending any more at present for a 2nd MiniMax. I am curious: what were the Tom Tutay mods that you had done to your MiniMaz?

dragon1952

Here's a list

One of the main issues with the stock Minimax is that the gain is rather high so, depending on the amp you're pairing it with, you might not be able to turn the preamp volume up enough to really bring the tube factor into play. So one of the things he does is reduce the gain. Also, beefs up the power supply and makes some mods enabling more choices in the center tube position (buffer).

pglbook

Dragon: Tom's mods sound great...if you do not mind me asking, how much would such mods cost? Btw, can you recommend any tubes you've enjoyed with the MiniMax? I have to start learning about different tubes. I will just use the various tubes that the Polk seller sends with the pre for a while..but I would like to experiment and try other tubes down the road...so please let me know of any tubes that you really liked in the MiniMax.

dragon1952

I think the mods are (were) only around $300 but that figure might not be current. And yes, I can make some recommendations. I'll PM you later.