Tube Pre-amplifier Suggestions - Approx $2500

[Warren M.]

Hi Warren

 

Out of interest what is Elson building for you?

 

Cheers

Sam

Hi Sam

 

Still to be finalised but I'm getting a preamp with 5 or 6 inputs (no phono), two pre-outs, both independently mutable, a headphone out (independent of the main audio circuit) and a tape out. And a remote to keep my wife happy.  

 

Elson suggested a circuit based around 5755 tubes which are extremely low noise but I don't know much more about them.

 

Regards

Warren

 

[loki65]

 

Hi Sam

 

Still to be finalised but I'm getting a preamp with 5 or 6 inputs (no phono), two pre-outs, both independently mutable, a headphone out (independent of the main audio circuit) and a tape out. And a remote to keep my wife happy.  

 

Elson suggested a circuit based around 5755 tubes which are extremely low noise but I don't know much more about them.

 

Regards

Warren

 

 

 

With what amp?

[Warren M.]

With what amp?

 

I use a JLTi KT-88 (spectacular re-engineering of a Yaqin B100 push-pull amp), currently as an integrated amp. Joe Rasmussen has designed it in such a way that it can switch to a power amp, which is how he usually uses his.  So once the Cymer preamp arrives, the KT-88 becomes my power amp.

 

 

 

 

The phono stage next to it is my radically JLTi-modified Eastern Electric MiniMax phono.  As modified by Joe Rasmussen, it is far and away the best phono preamp I have ever owned or used (I've had many and auditioned many more), and I've heard absolutely no phono preamps at any price, which are decisively superior.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Warren M.

[adrocks]

I can recommend a Supratek pre if you can get your hands on one.

 

 Have owned many pre amps over the years, and the Supratek is the one I won't let go as it just sounds right, pretty much with whatever power amp I pair it with. 

 

regards

Adam

[loki65]

I can recommend a Supratek pre if you can get your hands on one.

 

 Have owned many pre amps over the years, and the Supratek is the one I won't let go as it just sounds right, pretty much with whatever power amp I pair it with. 

 

regards

Adam

 

+1, very happy with my Chenin. Plus has a very good built in phono stage.

[Juicester]

you cant buy these new these days anyway. least, last time i contacted the maker i never got a response. his website says he doesnt make them to order any more....

[oceangreen17]

You could get a very good secondhand AUDIBLE ILLUSIONS MODULUS 3A full functional tube preamp for around $1200 - $1400. These are a classic dual mono design and if you run good quality NOS Russian tubes ($160 for a matched balanced quad) they will last at least three years. I have had a M3A for years now and are still amazed at how good it sounds.

 

The Doge 8 is also highly recommended - New from CattyLink

 

Both cheap and excellent designs   

[Willco]

My vote goes for the Audible Illusions 3a terrific Phono stage as well- superior to the Suprateks in my listening experience.

 

Willco

[alain]

Ash,

 

Have you tried using your Bryston amplifier in balanced mode?  I know some people don't believe that there should be no difference in the performance of single ended connection and balanced connection but I have used a plinius amplifier for the past 10 years and I can hear a difference between the two modes. 

 

I bought the Plinius amplifier after auditioning it in a dealer and took my Bat VK3i preamp.  We hooked it up in single ended mode and also in balanced and we both prefer the balanced mode. 

 

We also auditioned the Bat against his Audible illusions 3a preamp and in single ended mode it was very close and I would say its will be down to your preference.  However, when we connected the Bat and Plinius amp in balanced mode the dealer could not believe the difference in the performance and synergy of these amps. He agreed that in that mode the sound was significantly better that when using the AI in single ended.

 

If you get a chance try and see how your amp sounds in balanced mode give.

 

One last comment is wehther you need a phonostage in the pre, the AI phonostage is better than the Bat.

 

Cheers

A

[Willco]

Ash,

 

One last comment is wehther you need a phonostage in the pre, the AI phonostage is better than the Bat.

 

Cheers

A

I'm not surprised -- John Curl had a hand in that

 

Willco

[adamg]

My vote goes for the Audible Illusions 3a terrific Phono stage as well- superior to the Suprateks in my listening experience.

 

Willco

 

Des, Is there a piece of gear you haven't listened to before

Edited September 19, 2013 by adamg

[Warren M.]

Des, Is there a piece of gear you haven't listened to before

 

Well he has never listened to a JoeRasmussen-modified EE MiniMax phono pre (currently I'm the only one who owns one, though there are apparently orders out there).  As far as sub-$2000 phono preamps are concerned it's a game-changer in my opinion.

[thoglette]

Another thing to consider when choosing a tube pre is the tubes that it uses.

 

I would recommend thinking about getting a tube pre that uses tubes that you can find a lot of variants for. e.g. 6922/6DJ8/E88CC/ECC88 or 12AX7

 

Why so? Because you can tailor the sound of the pre to suit your taste. e.g. Mullard 6922 tubes are warm while Telefunken E88CCs are more analytical in their presentation.

Or, as someone on page 1 said: pick a tube that is more linear.  5687/7044/7119 , 6SN7 or similar.

 

At the price point you're looking at cheap tubes for the sake of cheap is doing yourself a disservice.   I'd also be expecting  transformer coupled output; choke input power supply and CCSs or inductors replacing any plate resistors.    Fer example, see the K and K line stage

 

There are a number of good Australian bespoke manufacturers (eg. Supratek Chardonnay) but demand usually outstrips supply.

 

(I'm presuming that you don't need phono - it wasn't mentioned0