Tube Pre-Amp Recommendation New or Used

SteveFord · « **Reply #20 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 12:35 pm »

Only one available:

http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=176

unclexray · « **Reply #21 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 12:53 pm »

I have a 1 1/2 yr old Quicksilver line stage in like new cond. with Siemens 12ax7's installed for $550 shipped. check out my listing in the trading post

Larkston Zinaspic · « **Reply #22 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 04:04 pm »

If I had those kind of funds set aside for a preamp, I think the Coincident Statement Line Stage would be on my audition list.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #23 on:** 30 Dec 2012, 07:44 pm »

Please keep the OP in mind folks. He specifically requested a balanced design.

I'd add the Rogue Hera II to your audition list. A friend has one and it sounds pretty darn good!

Dragon_vibe · « **Reply #24 on:** 14 Jan 2013, 12:34 pm »

Thanks everyone for your information, from what i have been reading it seems the Conindicent Line Stage (CLS) outclass the Dude by 2 AGon users claims. So not sure about the dude but still thinking about that and the Samsom Amplifiers to go with it.

Has anyone compared the CLS to VAC or Even the Purity Audio Pre-amps?

I know 10,000 dollars is a big investment but im tryiong to avoid the merry go round and just make it a keeper for the next 7-10 years as i have other expenses to take care of.

Iv ruled out Arc as many have claimed you can reach higher levels at smaller prices. Yes Arc Gear holds it value better but for someone who is willing to keep the unit for a very long time it does not make much diffrence to me.

Any other recommendation?

I am after my Pre-and Power amp to upgrade to New Speakers too but this is in the pipe line and at the moment the Pre-Tube is where im focusing on.

jostber · « **Reply #25 on:** 15 Jan 2013, 07:55 pm »

I love my EAR 868 preamp:

http://derekmccarty.com/?p=173

Got balanced inputs as well.

doug s. · « **Reply #26 on:** 21 Jan 2013, 10:45 pm »

Quote from: Dragon_vibe on 14 Jan 2013, 12:34 pm

Thanks everyone for your information, from what i have been reading it seems the Conindicent Line Stage (CLS) outclass the Dude by 2 AGon users claims. So not sure about the dude but still thinking about that and the Samsom Amplifiers to go with it.

Has anyone compared the CLS to VAC or Even the Purity Audio Pre-amps?

I know 10,000 dollars is a big investment but im tryiong to avoid the merry go round and just make it a keeper for the next 7-10 years as i have other expenses to take care of.

Iv ruled out Arc as many have claimed you can reach higher levels at smaller prices. Yes Arc Gear holds it value better but for someone who is willing to keep the unit for a very long time it does not make much diffrence to me.

Any other recommendation?

I am after my Pre-and Power amp to upgrade to New Speakers too but this is in the pipe line and at the moment the Pre-Tube is where im focusing on.

you really need to check out the purity audio preamps from bill baker, if you have that kinda cash... the only thing that has me interested in letting go of my modded melos ma333r. of course, i don't have that kinda cash!

doug s.

jtwrace · « **Reply #27 on:** 21 Jan 2013, 10:53 pm »

Quote from: doug s. on 21 Jan 2013, 10:45 pm

you really need to check out the purity audio preamps from bill baker, if you have that kinda cash... the only thing that has me interested in letting go of my modded melos ma333r. of course, i don't have that kinda cash!

doug s.

This one is a steal!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=112930.0

Devil Doc · « **Reply #28 on:** 21 Jan 2013, 11:10 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 29 Dec 2012, 02:18 pm

Just wondering what makes you think that you need to spend $10,000 or more for a great vacuum tube preamp?

Gee, we could build a special version of ours with $100 each clear top RCA NOS tubes, all Caddock resistors, whatever the best capacitors recommended here would be and still would not raise our cost more than $500 or so.

We don't do this because we have never heard "boutique" parts do anything useful, but even using them would make it hard to get the price up to your range.

I just don't understand audio components that cost as much as new cars at all.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

If you're trying to impress your friends than go ahead, spend ten grand. if you care about music, you should listen to this fellas advice, he knows what he's talking about.

Doc

doug s. · « **Reply #29 on:** 22 Jan 2013, 12:29 am »

Quote from: jtwrace on 21 Jan 2013, 10:53 pm

This one is a steal!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=112930.0

agreed; it looks like a great deal. but, sale pending. if/when i ever stumble across enough cash for a preamp that costs as much as a car, i will have to custom order a purity audio preamp, as i need a dedicated tape loop...

meanwhile, i really am quite happy w/my melos, and i have been for about 15 years...

doug s.

ddafoe · « **Reply #30 on:** 17 Feb 2013, 04:30 pm »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 30 Dec 2012, 04:27 am

A new one that I'd look at is the Mystere CA21:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mystere+pre+amps&qpvt=mystere+pre+amps&FORM=IGRE&view=detail&id=6BDDF9E0EF97CA6150979D12B4036C026BD4F83F#

Fine reviews abound for this baby. Twenty two hundred clams but I think some dealers will discount. I don't believe you said if you need a phono stage.

I can second the Mystere CA21. I recently purchased a mint used unit to use with my Modwright amp and I really like it for the $$. The build quality is excellent. The preamp weighs in around 45 pounds close to the weight of my amp. It is very bare bones, only input control and a stepped volume with NO remote. It throws an amazing soundstage and vocals just seem to float in the room.

I had been using my Wadia 121 DAC/PRE direct into the amp which sounds really good, but I felt adding a tube preamp might add some more depth and soundstage and it certainly did. I've also heard really good things about the Modwright preamps and was considering trying one but the Mystere popped up first in a price range I could handle; I'm curious to know how they would compare to the Mystere... but for now I'm very happy with the Mystere.

Cheers

ken · « **Reply #31 on:** 20 Feb 2013, 07:14 pm »

Quote from: Devil Doc on 21 Jan 2013, 11:10 pm

If you're trying to impress your friends than go ahead, spend ten grand. if you care about music, you should listen to this fellas advice, he knows what he's talking about.

Doc

There is a recent thread in Agon about the new ARC linestage that just came out for 30K I couldn't help but make a condescending remark regarding the price. I honestly have to wonder how much better gear like this sounds then my Bella custom linestage from Response Audio costing 29K less

woodsyi · « **Reply #32 on:** 20 Feb 2013, 07:49 pm »

Quote from: Dragon_vibe on 28 Dec 2012, 08:43 am

Hi All,

First time poster here, super confused and dont have the ability to listen to all these pre-amp and wanted some help from fellow audiophile masters on which direction is best to go for.

I have set a budget for approx 10,000 US dollars (Might ablle to push it slightly more)

The following Tube Pre i have been looking for are:

BAT REX
VAC Signiture
Atma MP1 MK3

I would prefer a balanced Pre to go with the Balanced Amp. New or used dont matter. I am looking for something which is very musical and detailed.

Will be mating this with a SS Power amp.

I have an Aesthetix Callisto Signature with 2 power supplies (extra PS for true dual-mono) you can have for 2/3 your budget. It would come nicely tubed. This is arguably the most "musical" preamp there is. It's an epitome of "tube" sound. I haven't heard anything that can top the tonality of this preamp. It would be a great mate to SS amp(s).