Pre Options for SET Amp

KCF

Hello All,
Recent purchase of Golden Tube SE 40. Don't yet have a pre! Since my CDP has a line volume control, can I safely run it direct to the amp, or will I see stars?!

Thanks,

Kevin

PS: What do folks think of the bottle head fore play unit for this amp?

organ

I think it might play too loud if you connect the source directly to the amp:eek: . Do you have a receiver with pre outs sitting around?

Maurice

00p225

Using a cd with built in volume control for the headphone and preout usually works pretty well. Depending on the input impedance of your amp, you may not get enough volume out of the cdp on quietly recorded tracks to reach the listening level you'd like.

The Foreplay on the other hand is a great pre for the money. I built basically a clone of the FP using a better transformer, and other high end boutique components, but still basically the same circuit design and it really sings. Dynamics are wonderfull, much better than using a line stage or CD directly into the amp.

One good pre is the Parasound PHP-850? For the price, I hear they do very well. I personally ran a Parasound P-LD 1500 preamp and wasn't too impressed. Not bad sounding, but rather lifeless and nothing really special when used with my equipment. It might have sounded better with different components, but who knows? It also didn't have a phono pre which the PHP-850 does. I'm sure the stock FP would soundly trounce most solid state pre's under a grand though. And you can "voice" it to your other equipment by changing the 12AU7 tubes which are rather reasonable. Not a bad option in my opinion. Have some fun!

Zane

KCF

Gracias, amigos...

K.