[musicgeek]

Spoke to Klaus - confirmed everything I read about him here!
Jumped on a used pair of Khartago mono (I think extremes, they have the red board with better caps).
They are replacing a Cambridge Audio CXA60 (which is serving as a preamp now). My speakers are Jeff Bagby's Continuum 2 (DIY), and I'm working to upgrade them to the 3-way passive version.

Switching from the CXA to the Khartagos - I immediately noticed better bass (even on the smallish 2-ways), the woofer movement is just different and more controlled. Things do seem faster, though I never quite understood what that meant before this.
And best of all, the soundstage has expanded and instruments are much more distinct and fixed in the mix. Thanks Klaus! (sorry wallet)

Now I'm getting greedy thinking of what can be possible with a better preamp...

I'm running them off two different preamps - G1217 Project polaris (hp amp with preouts), a jfet-based amp that emulates some tube-ness. I've never had/heard a tube amp, this is just what I've read. And the CXA60.
I do prefer the mids and tone coming off the PP I think, but I like the speed coming out of the CXA. 

Things I do know :

1) Eventually I want a dual 5.1/stereo setup for 60/40 music/movies
2) I want to upgrade my DAC, preamp and get an AVR
3) My budget is limited....in the end for all these I don't want to spend more than 2000 (ideally lesser, I'd planned for 1000). Buying everything used for now.
4) I need HT bypass, headphone/tape out, ideally phono in.

Things in mind :
1) Good SQ AVR with a neutral preamp - I read good things about Anthem MRX720 - decent DAC too - I could get one used and maybe later upgrade a separate DAC for all under 1500.
2) OK AVR (~500), good preamp with ht bypass (~1000), Benchmark DAC1 (~350 used)
3) Benchmark DAC 2 HGC (inbuilt preamp with analog passthrough, HT bypass), maybe around 1200 used?

Now my question is : do I really need a preamp? Especially a passive, won't that essentially sound the same as the Anthem? What changes here?
If I want it for the tubes, (and haven't having heard any, auditioning isn't an option since I can't afford new), how do I decide?

I've seen Candelas go for sale used around <1000, but it doesn't have a headphone/tape out...I've seen ads for ARC LS16, W4S STP-SE, Quicksilver. But these are just names to me and I don't know where to even begin...

Sorry for the long post, but I would love some input!
Thanks

[musicgeek]

A quick update on listings from $750-1200...what would be your pick for a tube amp?

rogue rp1 $$
arc ls16 $    (needs new tubes and remote) 
candela $$  (no tape/hp out)
quicksilver line pre $             (+ needs mod for ht bypass)
VTL TL 2.5i $$
Tube Audio Design TAD 150 Signature $
Legendary Dodd Battery Powered Preamp $$$
Modwright SWL 9.0 SE $$

[mcmusicman]

Congratulations on joining the Odyssey family!  It may be a good idea to research your choices regarding your list with regards to the type of tubes and the convenience factor for "rolling" or being able to easily change the tubes resulting in a wide variation of sound coloration. Another consideration is the "noise floor" of each device since adding the tubes will certainly bring some noise into play and you will want a minimum level. Lastly, it is always a great idea to listen to different units to see what brings out the best in your Odyssey amplifier.  For my ears, I simply love the sound of the 6SN7 Tung Sols so I chose accordingly. A final thought, tubes can take 50-100 hours to burn in so the sound will change.  I have about 600 hours on mine now and just last night I noticed how much better the system sounds as opposed to the first week when I added the preamp.  The marriage of a Tube Preamp and my Stratos Extreme is heavenly. Enjoy the journey and find out what your ears like.

Edit: Burn in might not be the best phrase....but they will open up and change sound.  I am not advocating leaving them on and unattended. Once they are warm, you are good to go and play. I also can not be sure how much of the change was attributed to the new preamp needing some hours.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I would consider an AVA HiFi preamp.  You can get them with a home theater bypass switch.  I have owned AVA gear and they perform way above their price point.

https://avahifi.com/collections/preamplifiers.  There is a used FET Valve CF for sale.  You would have to see if it had a HT bypass switch.  If not, you could ask Frank Van Alstine if he could add one.  At that used price, it is a real bargain.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=169231.0

[musicgeek]

Thanks for your responses! I did read about tubes playing well with the Odyssey gear, and went ahead and pulled the trigger on a used Modwright SWL 9.0SE. Waiting to see how it sounds!

[mcmusicman]

Sweet!  My front end is digital so going with a Tube Pre was what pulled everything together.  Not sure what your front end is comprised of but if you have a good DAC, take a test trial of Qobuz and feed that Tube preamp some 24/192 High Res FLACS and you will be blown away by the sound your Odyssey sends to your speakers.  Let me put it this way....I disconnected my cable TV service.....no joke.  Cheers and congrats.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Thanks for your responses! I did read about tubes playing well with the Odyssey gear, and went ahead and pulled the trigger on a used Modwright SWL 9.0SE. Waiting to see how it sounds!

Nice pick up, enjoy!

[geerock]

Thanks for your responses! I did read about tubes playing well with the Odyssey gear, and went ahead and pulled the trigger on a used Modwright SWL 9.0SE. Waiting to see how it sounds!

Nice pick up on the Modwright.  That thing is a giant killer and the first fully designed product from Dan.  He consulted with a couple top circuit designers to get that piece produced.  Heard that unit years ago with a  Pass Labs power amp and was very impressed.  Let us know how you feel about it.