Tube Preamp suggestions

TEAforONE
TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
edited August 2021 in 2 Channel Audio
Well, the upgrade bug has reared its ugly,nagging head again. I am looking at an upgrade to my Aric Audio Unlimited pre. I will be keeping this,and utilize it in my secondary system. The new pre will be going in the main system,and will be paired with a First Watt F5,or a FW J2.So far,I'm thinking of another Aric Audio pre,the Transcend 6SN7 Line stage. This would be new,but I'm not opposed to used at all. My budget is give or take somewhere around $2500. I was also thinking Don Sachs. Always hear great things about his gear. Used VAC is a possibility also. So what do you folks think? What have you listened to,owned that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your input.
Ray
See my profile for list of gear.
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Comments

  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Backert Labs worth a look but might be slightly out of your budget.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,440
    @treitz3 is super happy with his Canary C800 MK-II. Looks like a very nice pre and is 6sn7 based
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  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    edited August 2021
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Backert Labs worth a look but might be slightly out of your budget.

    This would definitely have to be picked up on the used market.
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    @treitz3 is super happy with his Canary C800 MK-II. Looks like a very nice pre and is 6sn7 based

    This on the used market would probably just squeak in.

    Thanks for the ideas,keep em coming. I should also add that I need 2 sets of outputs,and would not like anything with tone controls. Remote is ok,but not a deal breaker.
    Another brand that popped in my head was EAR. Who was it around here that picked one of those up??
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/UltraVerve-Preamplifier.htm
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  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    I’ve got some homework to do. The Dehavillan looks like it checks all the boxes. This is the type of manufacturer I love. Not the big corporate monster. Great suggestion!
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,440
    TEAforONE wrote: »
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Backert Labs worth a look but might be slightly out of your budget.

    This would definitely have to be picked up on the used market.
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    @treitz3 is super happy with his Canary C800 MK-II. Looks like a very nice pre and is 6sn7 based

    This on the used market would probably just squeak in.


    Another brand that popped in my head was EAR. Who was it around here that picked one of those up??

    I believe you may be referring to @verb or did he pick up the Joule? Heck he may have snagged both, he jumped in with both feet there for awhile. :D:D:D:D

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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    make an offer on this.
    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9d477-supratek-audio-chardonnay-tube
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,582
    Marvin, are you saying you're not happy with the DeHavilland or that you are hoarding your find? :D
    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
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    deHavilland going nowhere, that's not my supratek.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,365
    The supratek has great user reviews, plus it looks cool.
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  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    edited August 2021
    I reached out to the seller for the dimensions. That was my first choice. Unfortunately it takes up too much rack space. These have a separate power supply that takes its own shelf. I can add another shelf,but then I will need a step stool to reach my TT!
    Post edited by TEAforONE on
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    Marvin, what can you tell me about the DeHavilland? I thrive on a 3D holographic soundstage. My current pre does a great job,but there is always better. Besides,this will probably be my forever preamp. I’ve also heard the 6SN7 offers “magic”. Is this true?
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,365
    Too bad it won't fit in your rack, I have a preamp that I bought a separate power supply for and it was a big difference in sound.
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  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    invalid wrote: »
    Too bad it won't fit in your rack, I have a preamp that I bought a separate power supply for and it was a big difference in sound.

    If I wasn’t short,this would be a non issue! I really don’t want to put the power supply on the floor,next to the rack.
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,365
    I totally understand, my rectifier tubes are almost 7" tall
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited August 2021
    Clipdat wrote: »
    http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/UltraVerve-Preamplifier.htm

    Unfortunately, the last time I had contact with the owner, she had walked away from the business. Now, that was a year or so ago, she might be back now. Marvda1 would know.

    Post edited by Mike Reeter on
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    the last time i talked to her was about a year ago and she was still not working but she did sell me some new tubes. there are two wtb ads on us audiomart now for the ultraverve 3. there was a mercury 3 for sale awhile back and i wanted to upgrade but didn't. no one has been selling deHavillands for a while.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    Don Sachs has really slowed down...just builds what he wants when he wants, and then sells them. Also, FYI, he is no longer doing upgrades on his older units, so if you look at a used one, make sure it is exactly what you want. In particular, the value of the output capacitor needs to work with your power amp's input impedance. I had an issue with that in my unit.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,365
    Don Sachs didn't even build stuff very long then.
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    I think most of his 'work' has been on vintage HK Citation amps, and only later did he start building his own gear.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,365
    jdjohn wrote: »
    I think most of his 'work' has been on vintage HK Citation amps, and only later did he start building his own gear.

    He didn't even own any tube gear before 2004
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  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    Well,looks like DeHavilland, and Sachs are out. Aric is still in the running. Anyone here know anything about Space Tech Laboratory? They have some interesting products.
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,365
    I have a space tech labs qa112 with a str super rectifier it sounds really good paired with my krell KSA 300s amplifier and apogee duetta 2 speakers.
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,365
    I tried copying and pasting a Don Sachs review of the space tech labs qa115 preamp but it doesn't show up, maybe a vanilla thing. It's on audio asylum under space tech labs qa115 preamp.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,411
    I know you said "tubes" but on your budget, the best value out there on the used market is the Pass Labs X1. It can be rather hard to find for sale, but it is also a game changer in most systems and the last stop on most people's preamp journey.
    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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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,148
    invalid wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    I think most of his 'work' has been on vintage HK Citation amps, and only later did he start building his own gear.

    He didn't even own any tube gear before 2004
    Yes, Don alludes to that in his 'about me' section on his website. He had been a SS guy for years, building kit amps, but after trying a Jolida (and the Space-Tech), he started building his own tube gear. He's located in Canada just like Space-Tech.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    I know you said "tubes" but on your budget, the best value out there on the used market is the Pass Labs X1. It can be rather hard to find for sale, but it is also a game changer in most systems and the last stop on most people's preamp journey.
    I'm always interested in "upping" my game. I'm a 3D soundstage addict. If something can offer that to me, I'm not going to nit pick on topology. So,I guess I should rephrase me question to preamps,not necessarily tube preamps.

    What is your experience with this Pass pre? I'm already a HUGE fan of Nelson Pass!
    See my profile for list of gear.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    Don't know anything about these other than they seem to be loved by those who have them: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255083221764
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,934
    @Mike Reeter likes his Cary SLP similar to this one: https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649759109-cary-audio-slp-98-f1/
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    I had a Belles 21a tube pre that in head to head beat out the Dodd battery pre.
    Here is a Belles 20a pre that I have not heard for $700.
    https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649764213-belles-20a-tube-preamp/
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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