Tube Preamp suggestions?

Early B.
Early B. Posts: 7,900
edited November 2006 in Electronics
Now that I've identified an amp (Marsh A200), I'm looking for a simple tube preamp in the $500 - $750 range new or used. By simple, I mean one or two inputs, maybe a pair of outputs, a couple of tubes, and a high quality volume control. I only want to hook up a CD player to an amp. That's it. I'd love to buy the matching Marsh pre, but it seems a waste to spend money on lots of circuits I'll never use. I've never purchased a tube preamp, so I'm not familiar with them. I also want to try the "simpler is better" route.

Any ideas?

Got a question -- what's the deal with passive preamps?
HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

"God grooves with tubes."
Post edited by Early B. on
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Comments

  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2006
    Buy the CJ PV-7 that Dorokusai has for sale in the FM! Your going to be hard-pressed to do better for the money.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited November 2006
    Is that not the same preamp that Phil Pearsall001 uses. If it is he absolutely loves it. If not....well.....my bad....disregard.

    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited November 2006
    Yeah, Brad, if you want a tube preamp, that CJ is a damn nice one. Below your budget, to boot.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited November 2006
    I have the CJ PV14L tube preamp. Simply Luvvvvvvvvvvvvv it!!! Never heard the PV7, but it's anything like mine - GRAB IT!!!!!

    PS - Early, you have a PM
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited November 2006
    The CJ PV7 is probably only half as good as the CJ PV14L.

    I know lets all do a collective Booooooo:D

    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • Blownrx7
    Blownrx7 Posts: 137
    edited November 2006
    A low budget solution that has a small but loyal following is the Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp.
    You can even get it in a kit form if you are into that and save a lot of money. There are even some "authorized" assemblers that will do it for less too. Be sure to get the stepped attenuator and you will be all set.
    Don't be fooled by the low budget chassis, this is a VERY good preamp that embarrasses many high-dollar units.

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