Best Tube PreAmp under $500???
Comments
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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? -
afterburnt 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?
afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
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.Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
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.
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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.
Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound -
The owner of Rogue is a stand-up guy, too. He usually answers emails about his products promptly.
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Another one slightly over your budget but could be end game for some.
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649656273-belles-22a-hybrid-preamp/
Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
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...
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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.
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Upstatemax 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.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
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
Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
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!Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
Bose is endgame.
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🤦🏻♂️
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^ reported
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Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
joecoulson wrote: »Bose is endgame.
I absolutely agree, because you will stuff a hot poker through your eardrums...
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 -
I actually just passed on some 901s. And to think they were end game!!
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I actually just passed on some 901s. And to think they were end game!!
The ultimate "throw sound everywhere! It will sound awesome! Honest!Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
End game is a relative term.
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nooshinjohn 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.
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mhardy6647 wrote: »nooshinjohn 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 -
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/
2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
The OP should be able to find something there that won’t get him in too much trouble. Good work!
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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....The OP should be able to find something there that won’t get him in too much trouble. Good work!
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/
![d18322f-0c1d-4271-9e88-54b721fb7bb9[1].jpg](https://img.audiomania.ru/images/content/d18322f-0c1d-4271-9e88-54b721fb7bb9[1].jpg)
2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
@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.
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Please let us know what you decide
I’m interested in following your journey @CH46EMagico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound -
Agreed. Sorry to hijack.
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I've read that the Audible Illusion's preamps are hard on tubes.
