[darkpix]

Hi, I am sure you guys get bombarded for advice all the time and I have googled myself into circles trying to figure this out myself but I listen to a lot of vinyl over speakers and digital with headphones. I want to add a cheap tube solution to my mix.

I am considering a pre-amp from source to my solid state pioneer and I have been looking at this tube preamp board -  http://www.ebay.com/itm/301342890382?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

or being new to this, It may be better just getting the finished version with russian tubes - http://www.ebay.com/itm/272645897698?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

or would i get more millage out of a set up like this which gives me a headphone amp - or pre amp set up
http://www.ebay.com/itm/272135551310?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

also, any feedback on these products or alternative cheaper solutions would be appreciated. My goal isn't so much louder music, I just want to expend the sound more, better sound stage and more detail.

Thanks for your time and insights!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Spend a little more money and get a used Bellari VP-129 phono preamp.  I have one and it responds well to tube rolling.  It was a Stereophile recommended component several years ago. I can recommend tubes if you decide to go this route.  Tubes really influence the sound with this preamp.  I use a vintage 1950's Raytheon Black Plate and it transformed the sound into something special.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bellari-Tube-Phono-Preamp-VP129-Professional-Tube-Equipment-FAST-SHIPPING-/192164157248?hash=item2cbde05740:g:HscAAOSwVm5Y-R77

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bellari-Tube-Phono-Preamp-Headphone-Amp-NOS-RCA-Tube-VP129-With-Power-Supply-/132177958374?hash=item1ec66b95e6:g:K8MAAOSww9xZB-UY

[darkpix]

Thanks

Spend a little more money and get a used Bellari VP-129 phono preamp.  I have one and it responds well to tube rolling.  It was a Stereophile recommended component several years ago. I can recommend tubes if you decide to go this route.  Tubes really influence the sound with this preamp.  I use a vintage 1950's Raytheon Black Plate and it transformed the sound into something special.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bellari-Tube-Phono-Preamp-VP129-Professional-Tube-Equipment-FAST-SHIPPING-/192164157248?hash=item2cbde05740:g:HscAAOSwVm5Y-R77

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bellari-Tube-Phono-Preamp-Headphone-Amp-NOS-RCA-Tube-VP129-With-Power-Supply-/132177958374?hash=item1ec66b95e6:g:K8MAAOSww9xZB-UY

Thanks   will add it to my list of confusion
In my mind it makes sense to add tubes closest to the source and for the most part, its my vinyl that I want to improve.
Fathers day is soon - may have to leave some Bigger hints around the house.

[darkpix]

Spend a little more money and get a used Bellari VP-129 phono preamp.  I have one and it responds well to tube rolling.  It was a Stereophile recommended component several years ago. I can recommend tubes if you decide to go this route.  Tubes really influence the sound with this preamp.  I use a vintage 1950's Raytheon Black Plate and it transformed the sound into something special.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bellari-Tube-Phono-Preamp-VP129-Professional-Tube-Equipment-FAST-SHIPPING-/192164157248?hash=item2cbde05740:g:HscAAOSwVm5Y-R77

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bellari-Tube-Phono-Preamp-Headphone-Amp-NOS-RCA-Tube-VP129-With-Power-Supply-/132177958374?hash=item1ec66b95e6:g:K8MAAOSww9xZB-UY

that is a nice looking unit - and would give me the headphones option as well.

[witchdoctor]

Hi, I am sure you guys get bombarded for advice all the time and I have googled myself into circles trying to figure this out myself but I listen to a lot of vinyl over speakers and digital with headphones. I want to add a cheap tube solution to my mix.

I am considering a pre-amp from source to my solid state pioneer and I have been looking at this tube preamp board -  http://www.ebay.com/itm/301342890382?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

or being new to this, It may be better just getting the finished version with russian tubes - http://www.ebay.com/itm/272645897698?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

or would i get more millage out of a set up like this which gives me a headphone amp - or pre amp set up
http://www.ebay.com/itm/272135551310?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

also, any feedback on these products or alternative cheaper solutions would be appreciated. My goal isn't so much louder music, I just want to expend the sound more, better sound stage and more detail.

Thanks for your time and insights!

Check the thread on the iTube 2, plenty of good info there.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=148425.0

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Check the thread on the iTube 2, plenty of good info there.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=148425.0

The iTube2 is a nice piece of gear.  I have one loan.  However, it is way above the OP's price point at $375 but Adorama has one used for $275.  I can certainly recommend it.  I tried it in my son's system with my hand me down gear.  A Parasound A21 amp and a Pass B1 buffer/preamp.  It made a small but nice improvement.

https://www.adorama.com/us%20%20%20%20872700.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw3KDIBRCz0KvZlJ7k4TgSJABDqOK7DHEmEV1NgZUwRPvn0fQA1IX3YVzsbLnnxAmjMcHhQBoCtHTw_wcB

[darkpix]

The iTube2 is a nice piece of gear.  I have one loan.  However, it is way above the OP's price point at $375 but Adorama has one used for $275.  I can certainly recommend it.  I tried it in my son's system with my hand me down gear.  A Parasound A21 amp and a Pass B1 buffer/preamp.  It made a small but nice improvement.

https://www.adorama.com/us%20%20%20%20872700.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw3KDIBRCz0KvZlJ7k4TgSJABDqOK7DHEmEV1NgZUwRPvn0fQA1IX3YVzsbLnnxAmjMcHhQBoCtHTw_wcB

thanks  reading now -

[darkpix]

thanks  reading now -

thanks again -more to add to the list

[I.Greyhound Fan]

thanks again -more to add to the list

What are you using for a phono preamp and preamp presently?

The iTube2 is not a phono preamp, it  is a tube buffer and can be used as a preamp.  If you have a cheap phono preamp, the Bellari is the way to go as it will improve your sound.

[darkpix]

What are you using for a phono preamp and preamp presently?

The iTube2 is not a phono preamp, it  is a tube buffer and can be used as a preamp.  If you have a cheap phono preamp, the Bellari is the way to go as it will improve your sound.

My pre-amp is tc-760lc  - it was given to me
https://www.amazon.ca/TC-760LC-BLACK-Moving-Phono-Control/dp/B000J2JFWI

along with a pioneer vsx 516 - http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/pioneer-vsx-516

I bought a sony turn table off a couple who were upgrading and they threw the amps in

My headphones are Senn 598 open back

its loud enough for the room, and sounds good all around but I'd like to make it 'better' which I know is subjective, and I'd like to do it being thrifty
this preamp - headphone amp does intrigue me and is a low investment
http://www.ebay.com/itm/272135551310?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

The Bellari would be a huge improvement over that TC phono preamp.  I can't help you with that Douk preamp but in general, I have been somewhat disappointed with Cheap chinese gear but with the right tubes that preamp could be decent.  The volume pots on those things are very cheap and limit the sound.

What phono cartridge are you using?  What model TT?

You could also improve sound with a better cartridge and TT.  There are some excellent budget TT's like the Orbit U-Turn.  I just heard one today and was very impressed.  Excellent budget Cartridges are the Nagaoka MP-110 and the Ortopon 2M Red.  The Nagaoka has a warmer rich sound while the 2M Red is brighter.  I prefer the Nagaoka, it is more forgiving for poorly recorded material and a more organic sound.  Cartridges need to be matched with the TT.

http://www.lpgear.com/product/NAGAOKAMP110.html

Upgrading the Phono pre and a better cartridge (although I don't know your current phono cartridge) will give you the most bang for the buck.  Then if you want more tube sound you can add a tube buffer later like the iTube2.

Another phono preamp that is a very good budget phono is the emotiva xps-1.

https://emotiva.com/products/pres-and-pros/xps-1

I am going to buy one of them for my son.

[darkpix]

The Bellari would be a huge improvement over that TC phono preamp.  I can't help you with that Douk preamp but in general, I have been somewhat disappointed with Cheap chinese gear but with the right tubes that preamp could be decent.  The volume pots on those things are very cheap and limit the sound.

What phono cartridge are you using?  What model TT?

You could also improve sound with a better cartridge and TT.  There are some excellent budget TT's like the Orbit U-Turn.  I just heard one today and was very impressed.  Excellent budget Cartridges are the Nagaoka MP-110 and the Ortopon 2M Red.  The Nagaoka has a warmer rich sound while the 2M Red is brighter.  I prefer the Nagaoka, it is more forgiving for poorly recorded material and a more organic sound.  Cartridges need to be matched with the TT.

http://www.lpgear.com/product/NAGAOKAMP110.html

Upgrading the Phono pre and a better cartridge (although I don't know your current phono cartridge) will give you the most bang for the buck.  Then if you want more tube sound you can add a tube buffer later like the iTube2.

Another phono preamp that is a very good budget phono is the emotiva xps-1.

https://emotiva.com/products/pres-and-pros/xps-1

I am going to buy one of them for my son.

For stylus I am using PM2420DE EVG STYLUS EMPIRE LTD on a Empire Cartridge
Have to go pick up all the kids - thanks for your help!

[JLM]

The iTube 2 did very little good and plenty of bad in my system.  (See my review on the iTube 2 tour thread.)

First, why exactly do you want to add tubes?  What is your current system?  I had a nice (Prima Luna Premium Dialogue - Stereophile Class A rated) 40 wpc integrated a couple of years ago that added very little tube "magic" for $3200 plus 4 extra sets of output tubes I tried rolling.  Also home auditioned a $1500 12 wpc Decware 34I v.1 15 years ago that had the magic in spades but also added tons of bass bloat.

I just ordered a $699 Schiit Freya (which is dirt cheap for tube preamps) and a $200 set of (4) 6SN7 tubes as a nice upgrade.  Don't know if you can get a decent (reliable/working) unit for much less.  Tubes in very low voltage phono preamps usually produce lots of noise (and good/low noise tubes aren't cheap so most are solid state).  The standard answer for adding tubes to a system is to put them in the preamp (avoids the bass bloat issue) and they last longer.  But IMO tubes don't belong in $1,000 USD systems (unless you can score a sleeper in a pawn shop).  I've run solid state for 40+ years in systems totaling up to $7000, and have barely introduced tubes in any of my systems. 

Note that Schiit sells a Saga tube preamp for $349 but it is only a passive or tube buffer preamp.

[Poultrygeist]

The Yaqin MS-12B is an affordable tube preamp and phono stage.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/aaavt_ms-12b_e.html

[timind]

I had the same experience with a Primaluna amp JLM had. It was a nice sounding, well built amp, but it had zero tube sound to my ear. I wonder why people are so enamored with the sound from most modern tube amps.
From my limited experience with tube amps, I'd recommend a Bottlehead Quickie pre. That thing had a wonderful tube sound, or what I expect wonderful tube sound to be; full bodied and warm. Also, well within your budget.

[borism]

Darkpix, you may also consider adding a Bottlehead Crack DIY headphone amplifier. With Sennheisers it is a great match. The price is $300 for the basic version and you can introduce upgrades later if you want. The downside or upside depending on your view is having to assemble it yourself.

I built two - one for myself and one for my son. Instructions are foolproof - I had no skills beforehand - and troubleshooting support is great through the Bottlehead site.

Good luck!

[darkpix]

Darkpix, you may also consider adding a Bottlehead Crack DIY headphone amplifier. With Sennheisers it is a great match. The price is $300 for the basic version and you can introduce upgrades later if you want. The downside or upside depending on your view is having to assemble it yourself.

I built two - one for myself and one for my son. Instructions are foolproof - I had no skills beforehand - and troubleshooting support is great through the Bottlehead site.

Good luck!

Thank you. Going to look into this.

[darkpix]

I had the same experience with a Primaluna amp JLM had. It was a nice sounding, well built amp, but it had zero tube sound to my ear. I wonder why people are so enamored with the sound from most modern tube amps.
From my limited experience with tube amps, I'd recommend a Bottlehead Quickie pre. That thing had a wonderful tube sound, or what I expect wonderful tube sound to be; full bodied and warm. Also, well within your budget.

Thank you.
I appreciate it - more reading to do

[darkpix]

The Yaqin MS-12B is an affordable tube preamp and phono stage.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/aaavt_ms-12b_e.html

reading now - thanks!

[darkpix]

The iTube 2 did very little good and plenty of bad in my system.  (See my review on the iTube 2 tour thread.)

First, why exactly do you want to add tubes?  What is your current system?  I had a nice (Prima Luna Premium Dialogue - Stereophile Class A rated) 40 wpc integrated a couple of years ago that added very little tube "magic" for $3200 plus 4 extra sets of output tubes I tried rolling.  Also home auditioned a $1500 12 wpc Decware 34I v.1 15 years ago that had the magic in spades but also added tons of bass bloat.

I just ordered a $699 Schiit Freya (which is dirt cheap for tube preamps) and a $200 set of (4) 6SN7 tubes as a nice upgrade.  Don't know if you can get a decent (reliable/working) unit for much less.  Tubes in very low voltage phono preamps usually produce lots of noise (and good/low noise tubes aren't cheap so most are solid state).  The standard answer for adding tubes to a system is to put them in the preamp (avoids the bass bloat issue) and they last longer.  But IMO tubes don't belong in $1,000 USD systems (unless you can score a sleeper in a pawn shop).  I've run solid state for 40+ years in systems totaling up to $7000, and have barely introduced tubes in any of my systems. 

Note that Schiit sells a Saga tube preamp for $349 but it is only a passive or tube buffer preamp.

Thanks - I am just looking to warm up the sound, create a better sound stage. something about the concept of tube sound draws me in.