Tube Preamps

Ricardo · October 2005

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1135431882

organ · October 2005

audiobliss wrote:

So, no comments on 'tube rectification'? Any more thoughts on how the AES would compare to the Radii?

Thanks!

A rectifier's job is to convert the incoming AC to DC. People say SS rectification produce some sort of switching noise and have less bloom. My amp uses tube rectification and going from a Sovtek rectifier to a Mullard made the amp sound very sweet. More bloom and warmth. Bass seemed stronger too. Take a look at this pic of my amp. The rectifier tube is the second one from the left on the back row. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/closeup.php?userid=16753&pic=82_31_big.jpg

Even though I have no experience with the AES, I bet it sounds better than the Radii. There's a big difference in the retail $. Not saying more expensive is better but the Radii is an entry level unit. But don't overlook the Radii or ASL. With the right tubes, you'll sit there and scratch your head wondering how a cheap pre can sound so good.

Maurice

TroyD · October 2005

audiobliss wrote:

I must admit that despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews (and yes, by people whose opinions I highly respect) and very reasonable price of the Dodd ELP, I most definitively do not want it. My pre-requisites for a pre-amp is at least 3 inputs (I may later decide I want more) and a remote. Now, the remote doesn't have to control anything but the volume, but that's a necessity.

So, unfortunately, the Dodds are out.

Thanks for all of the input! Keep it coming!!
audiobliss

You know, I'd like a Corvette convertible, oh, and I like it to be new and under ten grand. :rolleyes:

While I, of all people, am all about a good gear and going on the cheap, at a certain point, you are going to have to budge.

Now, if you are willing to sacrifice tubes for remote volume control.....sorry, get off your ****, burn the calorie and adjust the volume by hand. It's tough but I think you can manage.

BDT

audiobliss · October 2005

But is a tube pre going to be all that much better than a passive? Like the Creek OBH-22? The Creek would be perfect. Three inputs, remote. *drool*

AsSiMiLaTeD · October 2005

How does a passive preamp have a remote? Is the power supply used only for controlling the remote function?

TroyD · October 2005

I've owned a passive preamp, a very good one. I now own two tube preamps. Wanna guess what I think?

Eff the remote. From your seat to the gear, what, 4, 5 steps, MAYBE?

BDT

beardog03 · October 2005

I also like to "touch" my gear..!

only time a remote comes in handy is on a CDP...

IMO of course

audiobliss · October 2005

Well, on the 'touching' thing..I do NOT touch my Yamaha. I don't want any fingerprints on that beautiful aluminum!!

As for passive vs. tubes, I guess it'll just depend on 1) how well y'all persuade me, lol, 2) when I can actually get one, and 3) what's avaible then.

beardog03 · October 2005

nobs are made to fondle bro..!

TroyD · October 2005

audiobliss wrote:

Well, on the 'touching' thing..I do NOT touch my Yamaha. I don't want any fingerprints on that beautiful aluminum!!

As for passive vs. tubes, I guess it'll just depend on 1) how well y'all persuade me, lol, 2) when I can actually get one, and 3) what's avaible then.

Persuade? What are we salesmen? Jeeze man, what's with the spoon feeding thing? Personally, get what you want, not what any of us thinks. Save your coin, get what you like. I mean, you've only been talking about getting gear for what, over a year? Take notes from Sid.

A dust cloth also does miracles.

BDT

reeltrouble1 · October 2005

beardog03 wrote:

I also like to "touch" my gear..!

Oh My!

audiobliss · October 2005

Well. That AES would probably do pretty nicely, too. Organ pointed out the fact that it had tube rectification. How important is that? And how rare is it? I got the feeling that it was pretty nice to have it on a pre at that level.

Dennis Gardner · October 2005

This may piss someone off but, if you are "critically listening" to music the way the engineer intended, you don't need a volume knob, let alone a remote. Play the disc, lp, tape, the way it was intended with all the differences in it, they are called dynamics.

Many here and on other audio forums will complain about tone controls and eqs out the ****, but then "roll tubes" for a different sound. Am I the only one that sees the hypocrisy in all this?

Sheesh.......................Set it and forget.

No trolling here, just sitting back, taking notes, and seeing us for what we are...........

AsSiMiLaTeD · October 2005

you don't need a volume knob??

so you're saying just hook the CDP up directly to the amp and push play???

No.

Dennis Gardner · October 2005

Polkmaniac wrote:

you don't need a volume knob??

so you're saying just hook the CDP up directly to the amp and push play???

No.

No, I am downplaying the importance of a constantly variable "at the tip of your fingers" volume knob. Set it and forget it.

How hard is that.........I admit that I like to crank it ocasionally, but constant manipulation of volume by someone while I'm trying to listen bugs the **** out of me. Ya know the guy......."here listen to this passage"...and he cranks it loud for four bars, then turns it back down so low that I can't hear the remainder of the cut.

It really is about discipline when listening.

organ · October 2005

audiobliss wrote:

Well. That AES would probably do pretty nicely, too. Organ pointed out the fact that it had tube rectification. How important is that? And how rare is it? I got the feeling that it was pretty nice to have it on a pre at that level.

Tube rectification is not at all important IMO. Circuit design is more important. That was just one thing I pointed out because tube rectification is very rare in new equipments and that's one thing that stood out for me when I saw the AES. Also, that means one more tube type to roll.

My favorite pre amp is the GTA and it has SS rectification. This is the BEST pre amp I've heard.

To tell you the truth, deciding which type of tube the pre is using (eg. 12AX7, 6922, etc) is MUCH more important than finding one with tube rectifiers. Forget the remote issue. Just stick in your CD, press play, set the volume and sit on the sweet spot.

Put the Dodd back on your list. The 6922 tubes are amazing.

Maurice

organ · October 2005

beardog03 wrote:

I also like to "touch" my gear..!

IMO of course

Sheeeeeat! I thought I was the only one with this fetish.

beardog03 · October 2005

can`t help myself..

it`s soooo sexy..!!

shack · October 2005

Dennis Gardner wrote:

This may piss someone off but, if you are "critically listening" to music the way the engineer intended, you don't need a volume knob, let alone a remote. Play the disc, lp, tape, the way it was intended with all the differences in it, they are called dynamics.

Many here and on other audio forums will complain about tone controls and eqs out the ****, but then "roll tubes" for a different sound. Am I the only one that sees the hypocrisy in all this?

Sheesh.......................Set it and forget.

No trolling here, just sitting back, taking notes, and seeing us for what we are...........

Dennis Gardner wrote:

No, I am downplaying the importance of a constantly variable "at the tip of your fingers" volume knob. Set it and forget it.

How hard is that.........I admit that I like to crank it ocasionally, but constant manipulation of volume by someone while I'm trying to listen bugs the **** out of me. Ya know the guy......."here listen to this passage"...and he cranks it loud for four bars, then turns it back down so low that I can't hear the remainder of the cut.

It really is about discipline when listening.

Sorry Dennis...but this is just about the silliest thing I've read all night (disipline when listening :rolleyes: ). I doubt very seriously that many here are constantly cranking the volume up and down (for demo purposes). There are CDs that need adjusting from track to track for various reasons. I also use a changer and the volume of CDs vary from each other. I often load 5 in and spend the next hour or so going through all the CDs "listening critically". It is a PITA to have to get up and down to adust the volume. For me a volume control and REMOTE are what I require to enjoy my music in the manner I choose. If you don't that's fine...to each their own... but don't base what I should have on what you prefer.

audiobliss · October 2005

I was sitting here, seriously thinking about where I should go next in my journey in the world of audio. And then it hit me: my first system, my system for me now, when I'm not a very critical listener, doesn't have to be perfect. If I'm drawn to passive pres, why not get the Creek OBH-22? Sure, it may not be a really good choice. Sure, a tube pre may be a lot better. Sure, I might could get a better sounding tube pre for less. But why not get the passive pre now? I'll gain experience with it and passives. I'll learn something. And at this stage I'm not very discriminating with the sound, so what better point to make mistakes?

Now tell me what's wrong with my thinking here.

audiobliss · October 2005

Ok. As many people as have viewed my last post and haven't commented, there must be something wrong with the way I'm thinking. Tell me! I'm open-minded! (HA!)

Speak-up!
audiobliss

Dennis Gardner · October 2005

Passive preamps have their place. Their goal is to add or take nothing from the signal. This can be good if you like what the other components are sounding like in your system. They certainly are pure and can add no new noise or distortion to the signal.

Those finding tube preamps to their taste, like what the tube adds to the sound. The tube adds "life" or "warmth" to the music.

Each listener's preference is very personal to what they like.

Just buy smart, so you don't lose too much if you are forced to resell.

audiobliss · October 2005

Man, I'm so wishy-washy. Now I'm thinking about an Anthem Pre-1l. Whatcha know about that? I'm gonna see what I can dig up on the 'net.

Thanks!
audiobliss

Dennis Gardner · October 2005

PM WCWIII, he has used the Anthem 1L for a couple months now. He swaps it out with the Odyssey Tempest ($1000) which is no slouch of a pre itself. He did comment on how it affected his system in a separate thread on here somewhere.

He does seem to trade gear regularly so maybe you can get dibs when he does.

madmax · October 2005

Dennis Gardner wrote:

No, I am downplaying the importance of a constantly variable "at the tip of your fingers" volume knob. Set it and forget it.

How hard is that.........I admit that I like to crank it ocasionally, but constant manipulation of volume by someone while I'm trying to listen bugs the **** out of me. Ya know the guy......."here listen to this passage"...and he cranks it loud for four bars, then turns it back down so low that I can't hear the remainder of the cut.

It really is about discipline when listening.

I totally agree! There is a perfect volume level for each performance. It is the volume it is meant to be. Someone thrashing on a drumset should not be set at 60db and a soft nice wisper is not meant to be listened to at 125db. It IS called dynamics. A volume knob should be across the room.
madmax

ND13 · October 2005

audiobliss wrote:

Man, I'm so wishy-washy. Now I'm thinking about an Anthem Pre-1l. Whatcha know about that? I'm gonna see what I can dig up on the 'net.

Thanks!
audiobliss

Come on Mikey, make a freakin decision already!!!!! You've been given SOOO MUCH info about the different pres out there that to give you anymore would just likely make the decision take that much longer. The choices that are in this thread and the other threads on this subject are solid choices and there should be at least one that will suit your needs and budget amongst them. Quit being so wishy washy and make a friggin decision already!!!!

reeltrouble1 · October 2005

Guys, he is enjoying the thrill of the chase for his new lady. Once the decision is made, well, you know what happens, really all of you do, the voices start. First as a whisper, then the thought, then the first words of it, then the action of looking at it, then the buying behaviors which result in the habit, audio junkie's!!! Who needs a fix?

RT1

madmax · October 2005

Lets face it. The first pre you get will not hang around long, no matter how good it is. Pick one. One without a remote.

madmax

shack · October 2005

madmax wrote:

Lets face it. The first pre you get will not hang around long, no matter how good it is. Pick one. One without a remote.
madmax

Get a remote....if it is what you want...you will be sorry if you don't.

Ricardo · October 2005

Yeah, let him just keep on thinking about it.....while he was thinking...

I pulled the trigger on this:

http://www.speakers.gr/photos/dared/dared_sl-2000a.htm

Just because it's gorgeous and HAS a remote

Oh God..I am sick :eek: :eek:

Tube Preamps

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