Tube preamp for Stratos?

ml73 · « **on:** 1 Dec 2004, 02:52 am »

Hi folks,
question from a fellow German (Moin Klaus) stranded in the US

I am looking for an affordable tube amp for my Stratos. Must have a good headphone out. Has anybody tried the Antique Sound Lab MG Head 32 with a Stratos? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for any ideas,
Martin

gongos · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Dec 2004, 02:55 am »

I have a new Ming Da MC 3R tube preamp for sale if you're interested. PM me.

Christophe35 · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Dec 2004, 02:45 pm »

Hi everyone,

I'm interrested also if someone know a tube preamp that perform very well with the stratos (monos or stereo). I think such a preamp has to have a low output impedance as the stratos have a rather low input impedance ?

Christophe

byteme · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Dec 2004, 02:54 pm »

I've used both a Philly Audio Blues 7b and a deHavilland Ultraverve (currently own) with excellent results. Neither have remote or headphone outputs although the Ultraverve can be gotten with a remote for an upcharge.

The Ultraverve is simply wonderful with the Stratos. It has ended my desire to improve the sound in the preamp area.

markC · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Dec 2004, 03:48 pm »

I run my Decware ZTPre with my stereo Stratos and later with the Dual Mono; well mated and no issues. The rest of the system was an OEM Norh cd1, (QDS-15), and Sililoquy 5.3 speaks.

AlexG · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Dec 2004, 05:18 pm »

I had very good results a couple years ago with a c-j (conrad johnson) PV10A, sold to move up to my current preamp. It mate very nice with the Stratos. You can get a used one very reasonably priced in Audiogon or Ebay.

From time to time I use a home brewed (DIY) that I build based on a minimalist single stage using a cathode-follower circuit. Again mating perfectly with the Stratos providing a little warmer stage.

Make certain that if you get a tube preamp it is of good design. Should have a delay at turn-on. Vacuum tubes take a little time to start working, and during that time they will send DC to the output

...the Stratos and mostly any solid state amp will have a hard time with this (blowed fuses or more damage). A way around of course is to turn your preamp first.

Alex

firestic · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Dec 2004, 02:47 am »

I tried a Mapletree 4Ase for a month and thought it to be a fine match indeed.

I'll be powering it with a Belles 21a Hybrid shortly, and will let you know how that sounds too.

Christophe35 · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 01:15 pm »

Thanks to all for the information.
Did you compare these tube preamps with the tempest ?

Otherwise, did someone try, with the stratos mono or stereo, one of these tube preamp, pretty cheap, that can be bought from China ?

Christophe

rosconey · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 02:08 pm »

i would ask klaus if you could try his passive pre-its low priced also

or get a used tempest

Christophe35 · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 08:47 pm »

Yes, but the idea was to have a tube sound with the stratos, not only with a cdp, that's why I was thinking to a tube preamp.

Christophe

rosconey · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 10:11 pm »

i have a tube cdp myself

but i dont find a kneed for everything else to be tube because the tempest is so smooth-my tuner sounds fine as is-so does tv thru the tempest-if i do add a turntable down the road im not sure a tube pre would add anything good to the sound-
just my 2 cents

maxwalrath · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 10:16 pm »

I used the Stratos with the EE minimax and modwright beta. Both did a great job, and the EE might fit the budget.

Chris_B · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 10:43 pm »

Good news. I have the Modwright linestage arriving later this month to join my Odyssey Khartago monos.

Tyson · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 11:10 pm »

I would suggest the Symphonic Line Erleuchtung.

BikeWNC · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 11:19 pm »

He said affordable, Tyson.

Otherwise I also would have suggested the Erleuchtung. The current exchange rate doesn't help in that regard either.

Andy

Christophe35 · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 11:49 pm »

Yes, affordable ..

Christophe

MaxCast · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 11:55 pm »

If your up to DIY try a Foreplay with a couple of upgrades. You'll be amazed what it can do for ~$200.

JoshK · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 02:42 am »

The real thing to consider, if it hasn't been said before, is that the stratos has a 10K input Z, which may be a bit low for *many* tube preamps. I think you need to take a close look at the output Z of the tube pre you are considering and make sure it jives. Ask the maker if necessary. Ask Klaus. The tempest I heard once in an unfamiliar system but thought it sounded great and no grit to speak, so it is a consideration as well.

Christophe35 · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 12:44 pm »

Yes, the output impedance has to be low on a preamp to work with the stratos. The input impedance of the symphonic line amp is 10 k but on an older thread, maybe on the old forum on harmonic discord, the input impedance of the stratos mono has been measured at 18k (can someone confirm ?)

Christophe

amandarae · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Dec 2004, 09:08 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

The real thing to consider, if it hasn't been said before, is that the stratos has a 10K input Z, which may be a bit low for *many* tube preamps. I think you need to take a close look at the output Z of the tube pre you are considering and make sure it jives. Ask the maker if necessary. Ask Klaus. The tempest I heard once in an unfamiliar system but thought it sounded great and no grit to speak, so it is a consideration as well.

Hey JoshK,

So would it be safe to follow the "phono cartridge" loading rule of thumb regarding amp and preamp? Say, for a 100 ohm cart impedance, it is better to have 10 times of that the cart will "see" to the phono preamp.

If yes, then for a 10k (Stratos) input Z, you need not more than 1k as the output Z of the preamp.

I have the Supratek preamp powering my Stratos. But when I ordered it, I took the liberty to get one with a 500 Ohm output Z. The combination is great and it sounds to me that the preamp does not even know it is driving something, if you know what I mean.

firestic,

As for the MAD preamp, I have the Octal 6A Triplex with all Hovland caps, Rikens, and Blackgates. I have nothing against Dr. Lloyd and I think he's preamp sounds great. But mine developed a nasty hum that I cannot take away no matter what I do. I ended up building another box to separate the PS transformer to at least make the hum tolerable. Maybe it is just my luck, who knows. For the price of the MAD, it is a no brainer to try it. Besides, you can return it if you do not like it.