Best tube preamp up to $1500 w/remote volume

rblnr · « **on:** 6 Aug 2005, 09:29 pm »

Am looking for what the title suggests, new or used. Suggestions? Thanks

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 09:53 pm »

Contact Frank Van Alstine at avahifi.com. Very best products for the buck.

Cheers
Charlie

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Aug 2005, 10:21 pm »

Go now to Audiogon and check the BAT Vk-3i......the price is a steal....remote and the works. Very good reviews. You can add a phono card later.

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Aug 2005, 12:28 am »

I was going to say that I'd check out hagerman's clarinet. I know that he makes them premade for those that can't DIY and I'm sure that adding a remote volume wouldn't be difficult.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Aug 2005, 12:32 am »

I have a Hagerman Clarinet with the DIY Cable remote kit installed - excellent unit - I did not have the chance to compare it to any of the other listed units, but I can tell you, this is one great pre.

warnerwh · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Aug 2005, 06:24 am »

You may want to read up on the sounds of different tube preamps. Some are very similar to ss and others can be very syrupy and loose in the bass. Then there's everything else in between. I like Audio Research due to the fact it sounds very clean and quiet with just the right amount of tubes, imo of course. Bat is also this way. I had a little Cary that was way too much euphonic and I thought it sounded like crap but other people like them alot. Rogue has a lot of followers with the 99magnum.

rblnr · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Aug 2005, 11:00 am »

Quote

You may want to read up on the sounds of different tube preamps. Some are very similar to ss and others can be very syrupy and loose in the bass. Then there's everything else in between.

Good advice, and have started doing so. I value dynamics and timing above all else, so the syrupy or mushy bass direction is out. Had a Melos SHA-Gold many years ago that was punchy and dynamic as hell, but still retained some tube 'liveness' that I miss.

ken · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 06:34 am »

Be sure to check out The Tad - 150 - can't say enough good things about it and you can usually get it for less than what Paul is listing it for

http://www.2baudio.com

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 06:58 pm »

im not sure about remotes on these but this would be my first couple to explore

SAS audio labs
Dehavilland
modwright

Hogg · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Aug 2005, 09:55 pm »

I second the Balance recommendation. Their preamps are truly balanced not just XLR connecters added to a single-ended circuit.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1127867227

I believe this one ia bout to sell but keep any eye for a used one.

Also the DeHavilland Verve is an excellent unit, although not a balanced design

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ddpreatube&1126024726

Jim

rblnr · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Aug 2005, 01:43 am »

thanks for the recs. all -- I've got to hunt around to try and listen to this stuff. Went last shopping for preamps more than five years ago, and wound up going in a different direction (preamp/processor). A that time, the thing I liked most was the VTL 5.5, but this is too much $$ for my second system. Gotta check out the TAD.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Aug 2005, 02:59 pm »

I would recommend the (used) VAC Standard or Standard LE available with remote. They were made from 1999 to 2003 or thereabouts. They are excellent.

http://www.vac-amps.com/standard_pre.jpg

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Aug 2005, 03:23 pm »

in addition to my reds above i would also check out alberts offerings at space tech...he can pretty much make anything to your price point....nice stuff

rblnr · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Aug 2005, 12:58 am »

bought an Audioprism Mantissa used for under $1200 on the rec. of someone trusted. Did forgo the remote, but I know Audio Technica used to make a motorized thing you could attach on the outside and will explore that. Thanks all.

rblnr · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 01:47 am »

turns out I only thought I bought an Audioprism Mantissa on Audiogon. Got a note from the seller tonight that his daughter dropped it while helping him pack it. Major bummer, the hunt continues.

warnerwh · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 04:44 am »

There's a SF Line2 the guys asking 1390 for which is a good price, you shouldn't lose a dime if you don't like it. This is also a pre that sounds very good without having the mushy bass. Here's the link:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1129330233

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 05:24 am »

Well it say's..."sale pending"...but for $1,550.00...this would of been the one to get.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1129424037[/list:u]

Good luck with your search !!![/list:u]

maxwalrath · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 05:27 am »

if you can live without the remote and all the fancy parts and options, I'm auctioning a beta of the same pre on A-gon you can probably get for near half that.

.....a shameless plug, and I'm sure the production SE version is a good deal better both sonically and in terms of options, but I couldn't resist.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 05:34 am »

Quote from: maxwalrath

if you can live without the remote and all the fancy parts and options, I'm auctioning a beta of the same pre on A-gon you can probably get for near half that.

.....a shameless plug, and I'm sure the production SE version is a good deal better both sonically and in terms of options, but I couldn't resist.

Why Max...you didn't post the link for the auction.... Good luck...

maxwalrath · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 06:11 am »

well I didn't want to be THAT shameless

.

Thanks lonewolf

...btw, that's not bird shit on my steps in the pictures, just dried paint. I had someone email me to bust my chops about that.