Tube curious...

guyincognito

I find myself looking at the Primaluna Evo 300/400 tube preamps repeatedly these days. I know very little about tubes and have always been a SS guy. I recently bought a Parasound JC5 amp that I am very pleased with. Originally I was thinking my "stretch" goal was a Parasound JC2 BP to pair it with but lately I'm curious about pairing it with a tube pre-amp. I like the Primaluna aesthetics and they seem to get glowing (no pun intended) reviews. I guess I'm curious at the $3k to $4.5k price range if there is something else I should consider. Currently using an Arcam SR250 as a pre with the Parasound JC5. The rest of the system is a pair of Revel F208 towers and SVS SB 4000 sub. Rega Planar 8, Apheta 3, Rega Ania phonostage as the TT source. Bluesound Node 2i and Benchmark DAC 2 HGC as the digital source. Ultimately I'm thinking of replacing the Arcam SR250 with a traditional analog pre (tube or SS).

JayCee

I don't have experience with the Primaluna but, relating to what you currently have, I do have 2 Parasound HCA-1500A amps that were upgraded w/compatible Halo parts by a factory tech back in 2012. He told me I was @ 85%+ what the Halo offered. Lots of folks like pairing a tube front end w/SS and I found it a nice combo w/my Anthem Pre2L that I recently sold to @CH46E (Chris).

The 2L was replaced by a PS Audio BHK Signature Pre and really stepped up my game. No disrespect to Chris, he and I have discussed the 2L vs BHK and he knows I have great respect for the 2L, but the BHK is in a different league. Soundstage is wide, deep and it sounds wonderful. I've recently been rolling tubes and enjoying the changes. Although I haven't used it with my Parasound, I'm fairly confident it would be a great pairing.

Currently, it's mated to the BHK 250 power amp, which is a tube hybrid and, for me, a wonderful combo. Check out my signature if you want more on my system. I've had a pretty good flow of gear through my house but have become a PS Audio fan, no regrets staying within their realm, however, I'm not what you'd call a fanboy. Many other brands peak my interest.

Depending on if you want new...PSA has a 30 day trial period, you'd be out return shipping if you return it, and they offer a trade-in program w/up to $1800 credit for gear you might have, based on MSRP.


Used, they routinely go for your target range. The PSA forum is a good resource for FS threads. Don't want a private sell, The Music Room is a reputable reseller and, just checked, they have one in black.
https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/ps-audio-bhk-signature-stereo-tube-hybrid-preamplifier-black-remote-used/


Final thought, I never pay full MSRP for any of my gear and have never done a trade-in. Purchased mine when they still had distributors and PSA gear was routinely discounted. Paying full MSRP would put other brands into play. Hope this helps.

CH46E

That bs @JayCee , I demand you take the Pre2L back and send me your BHK! 😆

No really this pre 2l is by far the best I've had. Thanks again!

guyincognito

The PS Audio BHK stuff keeps popping up. A friend of mine has a BHK pre and stereo amp paired with some Sonus Faber Olympica 3s and it is an amazing system. I have purchased from TMR in the past and while you won't get a smoking deal from them they are typically fair in my book so I routinely look at the newly acquired gear they post. Thank you for the recommendations. The idea of pairing a tube pre with the SS JC5 is stuck in my head at this point. Just trying to narrow it down before I pull the proverbial trigger.

CH46E

For what its worth, I regret letting several Parasound amps go. It will not happen again. If I iver get one back.

JayCee

guyincognito wrote: »

The idea of pairing a tube pre with the SS JC5 is stuck in my head at this point.

I don't think you'd be disappointed.

CH46E wrote: »

For what its worth, I regret letting several Parasound amps go. It will not happen again. If I iver get one back.

My 1500's won't leave, either. I'm using one in my HT setup with an Oppo BDP-105 as pre. The other is stored and a spare if needed. I love my kids, and have passed down some good gear (Sunfire Sig 300, etc.) but the Parasound's will only go when I die.

JayCee

Not tubed but PASS for SS and Cary for tubes are on my short list.

CH46E

I wish I had kept my HCA75A and 2250 V2. I let the 2250 v2 go to pay Greg Garshka to rebuild a Carver TFM45 for me. Was not worth it. Greg's service was, but not the amp for my what would be a future need from a amp.
While the Carver TFM45 was great for the Polk RTA12B it was not safe to run the current heavy Infinity RSII. I sold the TFM 45 to @Gardenstater aka Carlton to buy and end up with a Hafler XL600 that is well and safe to 1 ohm.

JayCee

That Hafler is a tank. You're going to have a killer system when the Infinity's are up and running. To the OP, Chris will have a tube front end w/SS and he'll be in bliss. Check out his Infinity resurrection thread.

pitdogg2

I sold the TFM 45 to @Gardenstater aka Carlton

@Gardenstater is George
@honestaquarian is Carlton

You've been soldering too long put the iron down
😁

Mike Reeter

I recently acquired a Cary SLP-98 Tube Preamp that is built around the 6SN7 Tube. The 98 will deliver all the tube attributes in spades.

Spacious, Holographic, 3D Soundstage that has a warmth to it, that is very enjoyable and non fatiguing. It would be an ideal partner to your JC5, other than the 98 doesn't offer Balanced Inputs/Outputs, if that's important to you.

mhardy6647

pitdogg2 wrote: »

...

You've been soldering too long put the iron down
😁

Like this poor person. I suspect it's safe to say that she's been smoking more and enjoying it less, as the old advert had it.



ahem. on topic...

Tubes, eh...?

bwahahahahahahaha...


DSC_0132 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

pitdogg2

I recently acquired a Cary SLP-98 Tube Preamp that is built around the 6SN7 Tube. The 98 will deliver all the tube attributes in spades

That is one sweet pre amplifier.
I would love to give one a try. I've acquired a plethora of 6sn7 tubes.

BlueBirdMusic

pitdogg2 wrote: »

I recently acquired a Cary SLP-98 Tube Preamp that is built around the 6SN7 Tube. The 98 will deliver all the tube attributes in spades

That is one sweet pre amplifier.
I would love to give one a try. I've acquired a plethora of 6sn7 tubes.

Ivan, there are two for sale on US Audio Mart currently. I would like to try one too. I put them on my watch list.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649713527-cary-audio-spl-98l-jaguar-red-northern-electric-6ns7s/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649705614-cary-slp-98p-preamp-with-phono-stage/

pitdogg2

BlueBirdMusic wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

I recently acquired a Cary SLP-98 Tube Preamp that is built around the 6SN7 Tube. The 98 will deliver all the tube attributes in spades

That is one sweet pre amplifier.
I would love to give one a try. I've acquired a plethora of 6sn7 tubes.

Ivan, there are two for sale on US Audio Mart currently. I would like to try one too. I put them on my watch list.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649713527-cary-audio-spl-98l-jaguar-red-northern-electric-6ns7s/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649705614-cary-slp-98p-preamp-with-phono-stage/

Thanks Harry. There is also a member here that offered one to me a little over a year ago. I didn't have the money then. It is also that red color which I do like
Maybe I'll revisit him and twist his arm just a little.

FYI I still do not have the coin after I bough a Krell SACD player

GlennDog

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Thanks Harry. There is also a member here that offered one to me a little over a year ago. I didn't have the money then. It is also that red color which I do like
Maybe I'll revisit him and twist his arm just a little.

FYI I still do not have the coin after I bough a Krell SACD player

Jaguar red with silver faceplate . . . very handsome, indeed

btw, on a scale of 1 to 10 is the Krell an eleven?

pitdogg2

GlennDog wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Thanks Harry. There is also a member here that offered one to me a little over a year ago. I didn't have the money then. It is also that red color which I do like
Maybe I'll revisit him and twist his arm just a little.

FYI I still do not have the coin after I bough a Krell SACD player

Jaguar red with silver faceplate . . . very handsome, indeed

btw, on a scale of 1 to 10 is the Krell an eleven?

Yep she is 11😉

JayCee

guyincognito wrote: »

The PS Audio BHK stuff keeps popping up. A friend of mine has a BHK pre...

Offer a six pack and munchies for a few hours of fun in return for an audition. It's a substantial piece but easy enough to safely transport.

guyincognito

CH46E wrote: »

For what its worth, I regret letting several Parasound amps go. It will not happen again. If I iver get one back.

Yeah, I don't think I will ever let this JC5 go but who knows. It is truly a phenomenal amplifier. It has really opened up my Revel F208's.

guyincognito

Mike Reeter wrote: »

I recently acquired a Cary SLP-98 Tube Preamp that is built around the 6SN7 Tube. The 98 will deliver all the tube attributes in spades.

Spacious, Holographic, 3D Soundstage that has a warmth to it, that is very enjoyable and non fatiguing. It would be an ideal partner to your JC5, other than the 98 doesn't offer Balanced Inputs/Outputs, if that's important to you.

Hey Mike, I saw your post about the Cary and it does look like a nice piece. Beautiful listening room btw... I think I may have stumbled onto some of your posts on another forum from a few years ago regarding your impressions of a JC5 (your listening room is hard to mistake).

Kyle

guyincognito

JayCee wrote: »

guyincognito wrote: »

The PS Audio BHK stuff keeps popping up. A friend of mine has a BHK pre...

Offer a six pack and munchies for a few hours of fun in return for an audition. It's a substantial piece but easy enough to safely transport.

Yeah I don't know if we are that good of friends lol... I did drag my planar 8 over to his place so we could compare it to his Aurilac Altair G1 so maybe.

phipiper10

Is there a recap of this cage match I should seek out in a prior thread?

Mike Reeter

guyincognito wrote: »

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Hey Mike, I saw your post about the Cary and it does look like a nice piece. Beautiful listening room btw... I think I may have stumbled onto some of your posts on another forum from a few years ago regarding your impressions of a JC5 (your listening room is hard to mistake).

Kyle

Kyle, I've had three different S.S. Amps in the past year, the JC5 was one of them. I had them coupled with a ModWright LS100 Preamp (6SN7 based).

The LS100 was a feature rich piece that had many more positives than negatives, but like a lot of "modern" tube designs, it had an extended top end, coupled with the S.S. Amps it was just 'too much' for my tastes.

I replaced the LS100 with the SLP-98 and the JC5 with a pair of Quicksilver Mono 120 Tube Amps and I have finally found my mark.

The 98 has a more "traditional" tube presentation, rich, smooth, organic tone that is exactly what I've been trying achieve for quite some time.

https://youtu.be/gH3Sw27JZFY

guyincognito

phipiper10 wrote: »

Is there a recap of this cage match I should seek out in a prior thread?

I can tell you out of the three of us listening the only person that didn't prefer the vinyl everytime was the owner of the streamer. His stance was he just didn't hear that much of a difference. I thought the planar 8 was more engaging and more musical on everything we compared but both did sound very good.