tube preamp the impossible

ricardojoa · « **on:** 15 Jul 2013, 01:26 pm »

I have been looking so hard judt to find a warm tube preamp with a traditional tube exposed that dont break a bank. It seems like a mission impossible.
l

Hugh · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 01:29 pm »

What's your budget?

Mystere is not that expensive.

ricardojoa · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 01:41 pm »

$1000

Hugh · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 02:18 pm »

New or used?

rollo · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 03:06 pm »

What about Nightshade Audio ? Bang for the buck and great tone. You want warm he can make warm. If you what bright he can make bright.

charles

ricardojoa · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 03:09 pm »

new with 220 electric volt, which seems to be even harder.
I was going with decware, but the way the hadle business and email seems like the ladt thing they care. So i really lost hope with them. Then got to know mapletree, but based on review it seems like a good nuetral tube pre.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 03:10 pm »

If you would consider used, Antique Sound Labs made a preamp like that a few years ago. It was also the MG Head OTL32 headphone/pre amp. It was OTL and used 2 12AU7s, 4 EL84s and a 5Y3 rectifier. The newer models were also remote controlled. You should be able to find one for around $400 used.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1435&bih=780&q=antique+sound+lab+otl&oq=antique+sound+lab+otl&gs_l=img.3...913.6199.0.6425.21.14.0.7.5.0.77.778.13.13.0....0...1ac.1.19.img.UOo1cSqfzu4#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=aC7u82grwiUt0M%3A%3BTkeRyKikynG8WM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.divertech.com%252Fimages%252Fmgheaddt3201.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.divertech.com%252Faslmgheadotl32.html%3B624%3B464

ricardojoa · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 03:10 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 15 Jul 2013, 03:06 pm

What about Nightshade Audio ? Bang for the buck and great tone. You want warm he can make warm. If you what bright he can make bright.

charles

Blair seems to be having some medical issues. I hope he gets well then anything.

rollo · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 03:45 pm »

If used is a consideration Conrad Johnson will give ya that tube warmth and rich tone. The older MV series would be about right price wise.

charles

Carl V · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 04:01 pm »

cj Amps were MV series I thought & the PV series were their pre-amps. I could be mistaken
it's been known to happen. Exposed tubes is possible but not always a design feature.

The OP has asked for traditional i.e., warm tubed pre-amps with exposed tubes.

Bottle head, ASL, Maple, Response Audio had a variety of pre-amps over the years
which might fit the bill.

Good luck.

rollo · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 04:06 pm »

Quote from: Carl V on 15 Jul 2013, 04:01 pm

cj Amps were MV series I thought & the PV series were their pre-amps. I could be mistaken
it's been known to happen. Exposed tubes is possible but not always a design feature.

The OP has asked for traditional i.e., warm tubed pre-amps with exposed tubes.

Bottle head, ASL, Maple, Response Audio had a variety of pre-amps over the years
which might fit the bill.

Good luck.

Correct PV it is.

No exposed tube but warm and rich anyway.

c

Maritan · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 04:12 pm »

I think MapleTree is a very good suggestion. The best part is that a line level pre-amp will come in under your $1000 budget, has exposed tubes and has a (exposed) tube/ ss hybrid power supply in a 2 chassis design.

The best part is that you can customize it before it is built to suit your tastes. Want it warm? Just ask the good Doc how he can help with that.

Also, Decware builds everything to order which is why they have such long wait times. If you call them instead of emailing them, I think you'll have better luck. This is my personal experience too. I wouldn't quite give up on them yet if you like Decware's products.

happyrabbit · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 07:59 pm »

http://www.audiomirror.com/preamps.html

T61 - I saw this model listed on Audiogon for < 1K. (Remote + 6N1P + Exposed tubes)

I have experience with the Audion 0.5 preamp. I liked the 6N1P tube. Very Musical.

Dwight

avahifi · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Jul 2013, 09:05 pm »

Find a decent used Dynaco PAS-3 and run it with the cover off..

Frank Van Alstine

JakeJ · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jul 2013, 01:27 am »

Quote from: avahifi on 15 Jul 2013, 09:05 pm

Find a decent used Dynaco PAS-3 and run it with the cover off..

Frank Van Alstine

That's what I was gonna say about the cj PV preamps. Many good suggestions so far. I have not heard the Eastern Electric Minimax but it's at the upper edge of your budget. I believe you'll get a better value from the used market if you are open to that option.

rockadanny · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jul 2013, 12:16 pm »

+1 Mapletree. Tube roll to your favorite flavor.

ricardojoa · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Jul 2013, 01:27 pm »

Thanks guys.
I like the mapletree simple nice desing with the side wood panels. But i heard from one of the owner that even with tube roll, he finds the mapletree 2a to be in lean and analytical. Other wise, the unit is hard to beat.

RPM123 · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Jul 2013, 01:52 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 15 Jul 2013, 03:06 pm

What about Nightshade Audio ? Bang for the buck and great tone. You want warm he can make warm. If you what bright he can make bright.

charles

I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon!

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Jul 2013, 03:11 pm »

I don't know about 220 volt but my first reccomendation would be a used joule electric. I have not heard it but by all accounts the maple shade is a great piece.

Finally check space tech labs. They will build almost anything at various price points

Maritan · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Jul 2013, 03:15 pm »

The Mapletree was described as lean and analytical?

That's the first I've ever heard that. I've always heard it leaned to the warm side of things.

But, like I said, it is worth a shot calling the Doc to see if he can warm up the sound for you. My understanding is that every piece is built to order.

One other nice thing about the Mapletree - with the flip of a switch you can use 12SN7 tubes instead of the increasingly expensive 6SN7 tubes too.

Good luck!