Tube Preamp Recommendations?
Dr_Wu
Posts: 338
To pair with Parasound Halo A21
Music: folk, rock, jazz, roots
Values: vocal and instrumental detail, soundstage
Budget, say up to $3k
Music: folk, rock, jazz, roots
Values: vocal and instrumental detail, soundstage
Budget, say up to $3k
Comments
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How much room do you have on your rack? Reason I ask, is my suggestion has a seperate PS unit...
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
should be fine
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New, used, or no preference?
Finding new below $3K is difficult and really narrows options. Good tubes are also expensive just by themselves these days.
Also, how "tubey" do you want the system to sound with a different preamp? Different designs yield different results. -
If you can stretch a little bit…..
https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/modwright-swl-9-0-anniversary-edition-linestage-new-w-full-warranty/?sku=1405newModWright&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABw_KJpTu7NxN5aTXqYwxRZbO21C7&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6_khkUuYTGciK-9iQIfNjL-mOT68Rsyb2oOVqfJg1UPYJ8dOTzalVlexoCcCUQAvD_BwE
Great preamp, love mine!2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave
2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius -
to test the water, you might try something like this Schiit LYR. You can pick them up fairly cheap and then try a different assortment of tubes to see what difference it makes in your system. The one pictured has the solid state Schiit LISST tube replacements installed.
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Here is a nice compact pre. Again you have the ability to swap tubes to your hearts content.
Audio Electronic Supply AE-3 DJH
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There is a used reference 1 preamp at space tech lab for $3040, in. My opinion and quite a few others you can't be at at that price point. I'm sure you are asking yourself who is space tech lab, but his preamps are the real deal, he uses power tubes in this preamp and it does give a big bold sound.
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this Conrad Johnson 16LS is a step up the food chain.
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Man that looks very nice! I see one sold few years back for $1800. Do you know if this inverts signal?There is a used reference 1 preamp at space tech lab for $3040, in. My opinion and quite a few others you can't be at at that price point. I'm sure you are asking yourself who is space tech lab, but his preamps are the real deal, he uses power tubes in this preamp and it does give a big bold sound.
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@Wardsweb - Thank you for the suggestions
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Man that looks very nice! I see one sold few years back for $1800. Do you know if this inverts signal?
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It's in phase non inverting.
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If you can find a used one, this pre hits all of your marks and then some. 2 piece unit with a seperate tubed PS. Choke regulated.
Canary Audio C-800 MKII.
I have had mine for some years now and with every upgrade I have introduced to the rig, I continue to be really impressed with this pre. It is a linestage, so you will have to get a seperate phono pre, if you want a vinyl setup.
It is very quiet and extracts everything one would ever desire out of a rig IME. Bonus - it comes with a metal cased remote.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
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Odyssey candela is a good one can be found used around 1k- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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Just outside your budget @3500 is the McIntosh C2300. This preamp is very highly regarded in is transformed the way I listen to music.. they pop up from time to time at $3500, and can be negotiated down from there if you’re dealing with a good seller. They have incredible flexibility with regards to inputs and play nicely with digital sources. If I ever do move on from mine, it will be to another Macintosh.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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A bit high on price, but a clean example. This is end game stuff right here…
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbb7d6-mcintosh-c2300-pre-amplifiersThe 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 -
To pair with Parasound Halo A21
Music: folk, rock, jazz, roots
Values: vocal and instrumental detail, soundstage
Budget, say up to $3k
It seems quality older tube pre-amps are getting hard to find. If you can find one that can be refreshed for a grand. That's what I'd recommend.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 -
Luxman CL-38uC
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Luxman is always a good answer!
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Luxman CL-38uC
Better yet, the SE version: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbb88i-luxman-cl-38uc-se-vacuum-tube-preamp-limited-edition-1-of-100-units-built-tube -
https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/primaluna-evo-300-stereo-tube-preamplifier-1/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-63BhC9ARIsAMMTLXQ3V1wF7NAQ8SJ4AWsid_A1GqSTNvRacJbwcG3pSca8sciPBee7kEkaAoj4EALw_wcB
I love my Evo 400.
The Evo 300 is the same exact unit, just without balanced input/output. -
Thanks @Clipdat, and @Upstatemax, your review post is what got me thinking about this.
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Luxman CL-38uC
Better yet, the SE version: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbb88i-luxman-cl-38uc-se-vacuum-tube-preamp-limited-edition-1-of-100-units-built-tube
WOW!! That is beautiful..Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎
SVS SB16 X2
Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
Cary DMS 800PV Network
OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
Jolida JD9 Fully Modified
VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM
MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
