Need advice on Budget Tubed Preamps

Steve · « **Reply #20 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:49 pm »

Thanks bhobba.

srayle · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 May 2006, 07:31 pm »

Strongly consider one of Professor Peppard's creations...I bought his Line 2A SE for $635, and it sounds awesome. I currently own the Eastern Electric Minimax, and an AES (Cary) DJH Signature, and the Mapletree Line 2A is way superior. Voices are so real its scary, and more than anything, this pre has brought emotion to the music...this is the first piece of gear that affected my listening so much that 'the hairs stood up on my neck' on many vocal recordings. I think its a beautiful design, but I am now more than ever convinced of the superiority of octal tubes in a pre. The amp can use either 12SN7s, or with the flip of a switch, 6SN7. I now believe that any 12SN7 is sonically superior to the best 6SN7's...I think its a much better tube, and they are cheap! I have numerous spendy 6SN7s that I tried, and the 12SN7 simply sounds better.

JLM · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 May 2006, 10:51 pm »

srayle,

Your comparison is most helpful. Was also considering doing a Single Power based on the 5687.

I hung tight to the Decware crowd for a couple of years because of the people and value, but never could warm up to the house sound (steers way clear of tube warmth).

avta · « **Reply #23 on:** 17 May 2006, 02:27 pm »

I've had a Norh ACA 2b preamp for about 4months. I'm running it with an old Pass Aleph3 amp and Magnepan 1.6's. Hard to imagine such nice sound with a $400 preamp. I play music files through a Squeezebox which I get with itunes on a Mac computer. Good luck.

Guy

Wally King · « **Reply #24 on:** 17 May 2006, 03:12 pm »

I also cast a vote for the basic Dodd preamp.

If you need a 3rd set of inputs, there's room, and Gary can add those for you, for a little more money, of course.

Merle · « **Reply #25 on:** 17 May 2006, 03:23 pm »

I can't believe nobody has recommended an Audio Research LS7. Easy to find used under $700. Superb preamp. Built to last. Audio Research tubed preamps are hard to beat, IMO.