[bunkertoy]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the hunt for a tube preamp w/Phono to be matched with my Bryston 3B (1987). As I do a deep dive into Tube preamp searching. I'm ready about
High impedance and low impedance..... Like a tube preamp with high impedance won't match well with a Bryston.
I love my music, but I'm just not this technical.
To avoid spending money on a poorly matched tube preamp, can someone tell me what to look for in a tube amp to best match my solid state amp ? Perhaps some techy specs to look for.
I've read that a tube pre can really warm up the sound matched with a solid state amp.

Love to hear from you savy audiophiles on this forum.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Cheers

[sunnydaze]

General rule of thumb is that amp input impedance should be at least 10X preamp's output impedance.  Higher is even better to be safe.   Google on "amp preamp impedance matching" for everything you need to know.

This rule insures an uncorrupted FR delivery, but is no guarantee that the pairing will gel soundwise for your taste.  Only your ears can determine that.

[Markwatkiss]

Bryston amps in particular benefit with a tube pre amp,it simply fleshes out the musical presentation,especially the older models.
Audio Research,Cary,Sonic Frontiers,Modwright,all work well.

[jjss49]

op

you need phono gain for mm or mc?  if mc you may be better off getting a linestage and separate phono stage

[Bill O'Connell]

McIntosh is coming out a new tube preamp called the C 8 , I believe it has a phono preamp built in for either MM or MC.
 MSRP; $3500

[bunkertoy]

op

you need phono gain for mm or mc?  if mc you may be better off getting a linestage and separate phono stage

Just need MM phono stage

[bunkertoy]

McIntosh is coming out a new tube preamp called the C 8 , I believe it has a phono preamp built in for either MM or MC.
 MSRP; $3500

I actually think it's out. Its definitely a dream piece of equipment. especially with the DAC add on feature. But I'm not at that stage yet. I'm just entering the tube preamp market, therefore I have to work my way up to the MC-C8. In Canada that's about $4700

[jjss49]

suggest a modwright or cj et3-se with phono cards

[jsm71]

A good brand to avoid any impedance issues is Linear Tube Audio.  The David Berning ZOTL design is unique and the output impedance of all their preamps is only 2 ohms, similar to full SS.  Amp pairing is simply no issue and the sound is amazing. 

Disclaimer, I own their entry level MZ2 preamp with all the options.  I also did some tube tinkering until I got the sound I prefer.

I also only need a MM phono stage and I use Don Sachs custom tube phono stage.   It pairs with the LTA preamp wonderfully.  At the lowest configurations, these two components combined would cost about $2,300.

https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/preamplifiers