Tube preamp, suggestions please!

jmsun · « **on:** 8 May 2004, 07:21 pm »

I am looking for a two channel tube preamp. My budget is $1500 to $2000. Used is OK. I have been looking at Rogue 99, any suggestions or opinions are appreciated.

BWentler · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 May 2004, 07:36 pm »

A used MFA Magus for under $800 and then sending it to Great Northern Sound Company for mods and you'll have something realy GREAT!

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 May 2004, 07:44 pm »

I have a CJ PV12A that was modified and it's dynamic as hell, while still retaining the CJ golden glow in the midrange. Moreover, it's extremely detailed, though retaining the continuousness of the sound that is important to fooling yourself you are hearing a live approximation. I run it into a VTL MB 125 and it's just great. Here is a CJ PV12A with similar mods to mine that is for sale on audiogon:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1089202287

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 May 2004, 07:54 pm »

EE MiniMax

Don't let the price fool you.

This little guy sounded better than other tube preamps priced between $1500-4000 in my system.

It is also very easy to tube roll.

George

mgalusha · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 May 2004, 08:02 pm »

Consider the deHavilland Verve. I have a friend who owns both the Rouge 99 and the UltraVerve and IMO the deHavilland is better than the Rouge in every way. I like the Rouge quite well but the Verve is in another league.

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 May 2004, 09:09 pm »

The deHavilland SuperVerve $2095.. The SuperVerve Preamplifier is exactly like the UltraVerve with a Noble Stereo Potentiometer Volume Control instead of the Stereo Goldpoint Stepped Attenuator Volume Contol. A definite upgrade over the Verve preamplifier and highly recommended

claud · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 May 2004, 11:12 pm »

What amp do you have? I have my Cary SLP 2002 for sale on Agon for $1500 with the factory cap option and two different sets of NOS tubes.One set is really nice, and the other is the result of a lot of tube rollin to get the most out of this preamp. It has a tubed headphone output to die for. So good I sold my Maxed Out Home.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 May 2004, 11:27 pm »

jmsun...what kind of amp will you be using it with?

Phil

flintstone · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 May 2004, 12:06 am »

I'm told that the tube pre I have added to my system is somewhat hard to find by a couple of owners I talked to...I found mine at Audiogon for $699 .

The pre-amp is an Audioprism Mantissa, these were re-badged as "Red Rose" model 3a after Mark Levinson bought Audioprism.

After using this in my system for about a week now...I can understand why ML bought it for his company...and of course, jacked the price up sky-hi.

Dave

jmsun · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 May 2004, 01:15 am »

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I will use this preamp with Odyssey Audio Stratos mono to drive a a pair of Onix Ref 3s. Keep the ideas coming. BTW, where do I find the SuperVerve?

mgalusha · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 May 2004, 02:18 am »

jmsun,

I can say that the deHavilland works very well with the Stratos. I've been fortunate enough to have my friends UltraVerve in my system for the past couple of weeks (he's selling his house) and it's driving my Stratos Extreme mono's. Without question the best my system has ever sounded. I'm really not looking forward to returning it. In all likelyhood I'll pick up one for myself, probably the SuperVerve as it's quite a bit cheaper and the only difference is the volume pot.

Info is: HERE

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 May 2004, 02:22 am »

I would suggest you check out two models. The EEC Minimax with NOS tubes. And the Philly Audio 7A with NOS tubes.Both sell at a very fair price. I own a Philly 7A, as do a few other members here. For the price, an excellent buy, IMO !!

AudioDave · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 May 2004, 02:37 am »

The Bottlehead Foreplay preamp is the only way to go. Trust me.

Chris_B · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 May 2004, 03:10 am »

Ditto - the Foreplay sounds great and is a lot of fun and easy to build.

Kim S. · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 May 2004, 10:47 am »

I agree with AudioDave and Chris_B. The Foreplay is fun to build, sounds great, and is much cheaper than what you are planning to spend.

JohnR · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 May 2004, 11:26 am »

I'll disagree. I was glad I was able to get a good chunk of my parts cost back when I sold it.

Jetsons · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 May 2004, 02:12 pm »

Sorry for the double post.

Jetsons · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 May 2004, 02:12 pm »

Quote from: jmsun

I am looking for a two channel tube preamp. My budget is $1500 to $2000. Used is OK. I have been looking at Rogue 99, any suggestions or opinions are appreciated.

I'm not nfamiliar with your speakers but with the Stratos, the Cary SLP-98 was an excellent partner IMO, specially if you're a mid-range freak.

The're also available with a remote option if you require it. BTW, the Cary is a beautiful piece of equipment.

The is one on Audiogon being sold by a very reputable dealer form what I've read, http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1087692241

BTW, these babies have great resale value should you decide on something else down the road. A big plus in my book!

Good luck in your search.

Jet

byteme · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 May 2004, 03:45 pm »

As lonewolf suggested, a Philly audio preamp and add some NOS tubes and you're set with quite a few hundred left to play with for other stuff! I'm using a Blues 7b with my Odyssey Stratos Extreme and it sounds fantastic. I've passed up fantastic deals on other preamps based on this sound and have used that "savings" on other areas of my system!

If you need to spend closer to your target I suggest looking into an Audiovalve Eklipse. Audiojerry had one, wonderful piece, great looking and sounding, remote control too. This is one of the units I passed on.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 May 2004, 07:12 pm »

jmsun,

You have a lot of good choices at this price range - rather than suggest one, I will just offer this experience.

The virtues of tube pre's are many, typically softer extremes, less dynamics, but more pleasureable longer term listening and midrange. I have a nice Dynaco PAS-4, it sounded great where I lived in Washington DC.

It sucked here in Cali - until I took care of the power problems around here. The Dynaco was in a price bracket lower than yours, so the power supply probably reflected it..but without good filtration of the hash and some small amount of regulation in the line it sounded too feathery and soft for comfort. It was trounced by the solid state pre.

The Dynaco now imparts most of the good things that the SS did, but now with all the advantages of tube. So, investigate the stuff before your source equipment if you are not happy with your eventual purchase of tube pre. It may matter a lot....it mattered far more than I would have thought previously.

The best tubes for me have been the cheapest, the Sovtek 6922's (line) and 12AX7LPS (phono) and I tried several...so you don't HAVE to spring for pricey NOS, but you may like to. I found the Herbie's Tube Dampers to be the equalizer in many tube choices..highly recommended as part of that $1500 budget ($10.00 per damper)