Gone Fishin' for Tube Preamps

zombie boy 2000
zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
edited November 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
Alright guys (and gals)... here we go again. I need tube preamp suggestions. No rush here. Looking to see if I may have overlooked some options, so "spur of the moment purchase" is taking a backseat to a good ol' fashioned education.

Let's start with budget. Feel free to go with the best deals in town or feel free to assume that I have some time to save up. And anywhere in between.
Of course, the less money.... cadda wadda kadda:p

Second... I need one with low gain. Preferably, 12db tops. The Monarchy amp doesn't play well with anything higher. That being said (and here's stooopid question number one), is it possible to affect gain by changing tubes?

Third... aesthetics are unfortunately important. I am a shallow, shallow zombie. I would greatly prefer that the tubes be visible and not hidden within the chassis. Moreover, if there is a term for this, such as "outboard" or something, feel free to drop some knowledge on me. Word.

Fourth... I need a minimum of two sets of inputs. But I do not need more than two.

Fifth... the less tubes, the better.

Sixth... thou shall not steal.

Seventh... this Forum rulz.


Jason
I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
Post edited by zombie boy 2000 on
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Comments

  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited November 2006
    Things to think about?

    Do you need a phono preamp?
    Must it have a remote?
    What are the related components you are using. Amps, speakers etc.
    More interested in a tubey sound, guts or faithful reproduction?
    Some have two outputs, will you be using a sub or doing recording?
    How many inputs do you need?

    That should get you started.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited November 2006
    Thank MM...

    -- no phono.
    -- remote not necessary.
    -- Monarchy SM-70 Pro (100k Ohm input impendance)
    -- can be driven to full power with 1 volt output from source (I believe my
    my current CDP delivers 2 volts)
    -- I already have "detail" in spades, so I would prefer to throw some bloom in
    the mix w/out sacrificing my system's strengths
    -- strictly 2-channel (no 2.1)
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited November 2006
    Well, I prefer my Transcendent preamp over the Dodd ELP. The Dodd is very high gain. The Trans however has the tubes hidden away.
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited November 2006
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    is it possible to affect gain by changing tubes?
    The Transcendent Grounded Grid has 12 dB of gain and can be increased in gain by substituting (IIRC) 12AT7s for the 12AU7s and changing four resistors.

    Easy kit to build and takes a preamp at 4-5 times it's price to best it:

    http://transcendentsound.com/preamp%20kit.htm

    I have a Dodd MLP in the closet, no idea on the gain, my ears tell me somewhere between 12 and 15 dB (maybe someone else here might know?) 4 x 12AX7 (horizontal in slimline cabinet with oak sides and silver fascia), 3 in, 2 out, HT bypass, remote, external power supply. Highly regarded around here and a hit at Polkfest '06. PM me if interested
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited November 2006
    what price range are we looking at?
    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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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited November 2006
    marvda1 wrote:
    what price range are we looking at?

    Price-range is not really an issue... if I have to wait longer, I'll wait longer. Or I can pick up something on the cheap now, as long as it's resale value will hold steady. I guess all I ask is that it falls in line with the preamp's blue book value.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited November 2006
    You should try to work something out with BMDP for that Dodd MLP. You'll never need to get another, unless you just want to try something different.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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