Best Tube PreAmp under $500???

afterburnt

CH46E wrote: »

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Twice what you are willing to spend, but for many, this is end-game...

https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/rogue-audio-super-magnum-99-stereo-tube-preamplifier-ninety-nine-modified/

Ok.... are you trying to get me killed? My wife would frag my **** the night after I got to enjoy it!

Why do you let your wife have hand grenades?

Nightfall

afterburnt wrote: »

CH46E wrote: »

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Twice what you are willing to spend, but for many, this is end-game...

https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/rogue-audio-super-magnum-99-stereo-tube-preamplifier-ninety-nine-modified/

Ok.... are you trying to get me killed? My wife would frag my **** the night after I got to enjoy it!

Why do you let your wife have hand grenades?

audioluvr

That Rogue pre has been modified with Mundorf Supreme caps and that Silk Audio pre Ivan recommended has also been modified with much better quality components. Either would be a big step up from what you have.

maxward

My guess is that the modded Rogue IS pert near end game. Another idea is to try to fine a used Joule Electra LA-100. The last one sold here for around $700 (unless the seller accepted a lower offer). I have one and when I first brought it home my wife commented on the much improved sound from a couple of rooms away. Good luck finding someone who wants to part with it. I’m keeping mine until I want something with a remote control.

Joey_V

My advice:

That rogue pre is a very good deal, I suggest upping the budget and not having any second thoughts or itch to move up any time soon. $500 is a little low to get a long term pre.

But also weigh it with how much you’re actually listening to the system. If you use it a lot, an extra $700 is probably worth it.

maxward

The owner of Rogue is a stand-up guy, too. He usually answers emails about his products promptly.

audioluvr

Another one slightly over your budget but could be end game for some.
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649656273-belles-22a-hybrid-preamp/

Upstatemax

Clipdat wrote: »

lol Rogue Audio is not "end game". Sorry.

Elitist, nonsense post like this is exactly what keeps a lot of people out of hobbies like this.

It’s an excellent pre and to many people that are not chasing that last 2% of “improvement” it absolutely would be end game.

To the OP, find a few pre’s that are within or “close” to your budget. Keep a close eye out, have cash and be ready to pounce. Something will come along.

If it’s in the cards, splurge on the Rogue and avoid your wife for 1-9 weeks...

pitdogg2

Agree the Rogue is a much better pre no argument from me. Mine is a very nice pre for the money. It has responded to tube rolling nicely. It came from factory with some Solen poly/film caps. I will switch them out for either Clarity mr/cmr or Jantzen silver or superior caps when there is no longer a warranty. I've used neither but I only need two small value high voltage caps and those two offer them.

BlueFox

Upstatemax wrote: »

Clipdat wrote: »

lol Rogue Audio is not "end game". Sorry.

Elitist, nonsense post like this is exactly what keeps a lot of people out of hobbies like this.

It’s an excellent pre and to many people that are not chasing that last 2% of “improvement” it absolutely would be end game.

Having never heard of Rogue Audio or their pre I am sure it sounds good. However, I seriously doubt it is anywhere near 98% of the top of the line in preamps.

audioluvr

OOH! Here's another one you should consider. Nice thing about eBag is you can pay for it with a credit card, hide the cash from the boss (wife) and get airline miles to boot!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTL-2-5-Line-Stage-Preamplifier/264670054975?hash=item3d9f908a3f:g:jNoAAOSwVoJecAEK

audioluvr

BlueFox wrote: »

Having never heard of Rogue Audio or their pre I am sure it sounds good. However, I seriously doubt it is anywhere near 98% of the top of the line in preamps.

Okay guys, enough criticism going on in this world right now. The OP want's us to help him spend his money! Exciting!

joecoulson

Bose is endgame.

pitdogg2

🤦🏻‍♂️

joecoulson

^ reported

audioluvr

joecoulson wrote: »

Bose is endgame.

joecoulson wrote: »

^ reported

Takes a real man to do that!

nooshinjohn

joecoulson wrote: »

Bose is endgame.

I absolutely agree, because you will stuff a hot poker through your eardrums...

CH46E

I actually just passed on some 901s. And to think they were end game!!

audioluvr

CH46E wrote: »

I actually just passed on some 901s. And to think they were end game!!

The ultimate "throw sound everywhere! It will sound awesome! Honest!

maxward

End game is a relative term.

Viking64

maxward wrote: »

End game is a meaningless term.

*fixed

mhardy6647

nooshinjohn wrote: »

CH46E wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

@pitdogg2 tell this man about your new preamp. I think it was a little more than $500 though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silk-Audio-SA33T-Yaqin-manufactured-All-Tube-Preamplifier-US-Ship-Warranty/224164860149?hash=item34314450f5:g:qs8AAOSwGaVeSFxP

Of course I removed the tube guard threw in some nos tubes and love it. No blue tooth anything, just a remote for volume and source select.
Ray the owner of silk audio is good folk.

That looks like a real possibility.

Cheap Chinese tube gear is just that...

THAT is a big 10-4.

EDIT: What gets me is folks' rhapsodizing over their 100 dollar amplfier from Aliexpress or
Amazon: "It's got WIMA and Nichicon caps!". Well... it has caps that say WIMA and Nichicon on them. I mean, you can buy a 20 dollar watch that says "Omega" on it, too.

invalid

mhardy6647 wrote: »

nooshinjohn wrote: »

CH46E wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

@pitdogg2 tell this man about your new preamp. I think it was a little more than $500 though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silk-Audio-SA33T-Yaqin-manufactured-All-Tube-Preamplifier-US-Ship-Warranty/224164860149?hash=item34314450f5:g:qs8AAOSwGaVeSFxP

Of course I removed the tube guard threw in some nos tubes and love it. No blue tooth anything, just a remote for volume and source select.
Ray the owner of silk audio is good folk.

That looks like a real possibility.

Cheap Chinese tube gear is just that...

THAT is a big 10-4.

EDIT: What gets me is folks' rhapsodizing over their 100 dollar amplfier from Aliexpress or
Amazon: "It's got WIMA and Nichicon caps!". Well... it has caps that say WIMA and Nichicon on them. I mean, you can buy a 20 dollar watch that says "Omega" on it, too.

You usually get what you pay for

WLDock

Tough find, especially a tube pre under $500. Here are some under $1000, who knows if all will ship.

Rogue Audio Sixty Six LSR - $595
http://www.echohifi.com/details/15303/Rogue-Audio_Sixty-Six-LSR

Rouge Audio Sixty Six w/ Phono - $500
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649662782-rouge-audio-sixty-six-magnum-with-phono-option/

Aural Thrills Audio - $550
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649538203-all-tube-audiophile-pre-amp/

Rogue Audio Methis Tube Pre Amp and Sumo Andromeda 3 power amp - $1000
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/ele/d/rochester-rogue-audio-methis-tube-pre/7186160601.html

Counterpoint SA-7 - $600
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/d/apache-junction-counterpoint-sa-7/7189664728.html

Conrad Johnson PV2a - $750
https://medford.craigslist.org/ele/d/medford-conrad-johnson-pv2a-vacuum-tube/7178125236.html

new Schiit Audio Saga+ $399
https://www.schiit.com/products/saga-2

new Schiit Audio Freya+ $899
https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-1

Used Schiit Audio Freya+ $700
https://omaha.craigslist.org/ele/d/omaha-schiit-freya-preamp/7203852462.html

XiangSheng 728a - $275
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ele/d/portland-xiangsheng-728a-all-tube-preamp/7201196240.html
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649559662-xiangsheng-728a-tube-preamp-line-level-no-phono-xiang-sheng-preamplifier/

Sound Audio VP-3A - $700
https://monterey.craigslist.org/ele/d/salinas-sound-audio-vp-3a-preamplifier/7212064798.html

Vincent Audio SV-500 integrated (Can use a Pre or integrated!) - $650
https://macon.craigslist.org/ele/d/byron-vincent-sv-500-integrated/7205571586.html

Audible Illusions Modulus 2A - $700
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649655139-audible-illusions-modulus-2a/

Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 hybrid - $725
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649662018-sonic-frontiers-sfl-1-hybrid-preamp/

Diva Audio M-7 - $675
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649414831-diva-audio-m7/

Dynaco Pas - $650
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649664276-dynaco-pas-preamplifier/

maxward

The OP should be able to find something there that won’t get him in too much trouble. Good work!

WLDock

maxward wrote: »

The OP should be able to find something there that won’t get him in too much trouble. Good work!

Yeah, there are a few nice things there and I've been in the same boat. For years I've been looking around for affordable gear. Then, I talk myself into holding out until I can afford something better like a Rogue Audio RP-1 pre and Vincent Audio SP331 amp, or a Vincent Audio SV237 integrated, or a NAD M10 integrated, etc, etc. Its 2020 and I'm still trying to work things out....

Currently I have my sights on a Marantz PM7000N. It just seems like the right combination of good all-in-one performance for the money. I still would love to try out that NAD M10 however... There I ago again...

https://darko.audio/2020/04/a-super-integrated-for-the-rest-of-us-marantzs-pm7000n/

maxward

@WLDock I have the Marantz PM7000N in a small kitchen system and think it’s great. Mostly listening to internet radio or streaming Spotify. It replaced an old Proton Radio that was starting to make a lot of noise upon turn-on. That Darko review and the one in The Absolute Sound convinced me to jump. Good luck.

Joey_V

Please let us know what you decide
I’m interested in following your journey @CH46E

maxward

Agreed. Sorry to hijack.

invalid

I've read that the Audible Illusion's preamps are hard on tubes.