help me decide a good tube preamp

peter59 · « **on:** 8 Feb 2006, 05:36 am »

I currently have a 2 channel S.S. system that sounds great even without room treatments. Recently ordered 8th nerve ADAPT products. They should be here in a few weeks. . I have always wanted to fit a tube preamp into the mix. What would someone suggest for under 2500.00? I listen mostly to classic rock, and all kinds of jazz.

Current system:

Odyssey Mono Ex amps
Odyssey Tempest pre
Odyssey Loreleis
Symphonic Line CDP

maxwalrath · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 06:12 am »

Modwright. Sounds like an amazing product, multi-award winner, top notch guy behind it, and a better resale value than any other piece out there.

I had a regular Stratos amp a while back, and the beta test version of the Modwright pre was a great match for it.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 06:14 am »

Quote from: maxwalrath

Modwright. Sounds like an amazing product, multi-award winner, top notch guy behind it, and a better resale value than any other piece out there.

Yes...as well as the SAS Audio 10A...both very close in sound....and price.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 06:16 am »

Never heard a bad word about the SAS either...that's one piece I'd definitely like to try some day.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 06:18 am »

Quote from: maxwalrath

Never heard a bad word about the SAS either...that's one piece I'd like to try one day.

Steve is running an auditio tour...good for a listen....

maxwalrath · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 06:30 am »

crap...how did I miss your review Lonewolf? Good review! I saw the tour, I figure let the people that might buy it get a crack at it, maybe I'll see if Steve can pencil me in later.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 06:32 am »

Quote from: maxwalrath

crap...how did I miss your review Lonewolf? Good review! I saw the tour, I figure let the people that might buy it get a crack at it, maybe I'll see if Steve can pencil me in later.

I think he has two going around....it really is a VG preamp....if I needed another thats one I'd pick up....but I'm loaded enough now....

Steve · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 09:06 pm »

Hi Guys.

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

Max, right now there are 7 waiting, and a snag has developed, so the tour is in a holding pattern. So it might be a couple of months. But PM me if interested and we can work something out.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 09:08 pm »

The Modwright is insanely good. Don't know about the SAS.

Steve · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Feb 2006, 09:52 pm »

Lonewolfny42 auditioned the standard 10A for $1795.00. The B10A is $1495.00 (includes shipping in the continental USA).

The B10A is the same as the standard 10A except 3 inputs instead of 5 and no monitor section. The sound is exactly the same.

sch · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Feb 2006, 12:28 am »

Without doubt, the PRIMALUNA III, for US$1,395 is the best around.
Reviews and info here:
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/product.asp?itemid=499&catid=36
TAS Editor Choice 2005 and Golden Ear 2005
I have it and I love it.
Good luck,
Santiago

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Feb 2006, 01:04 am »

The Wright Sound WLA12A is really an excellent little unit, I'm enjoying the heck out of mine. Less than $900 new. Built by one of the masters.

http://www.wright-sound.com/specs/1

maxwalrath · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Feb 2006, 07:49 am »

Steve, what's a monitor section?

JLM · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Feb 2006, 10:45 am »

What do you want from a tube pre-amp?

I'd recommend matching your wants with the tube signature that best reflects those wants. Typicaly the small 9 pin tubes have speed/detail, and the larger 8 pin tubes provide tube blume.

Steve · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Feb 2006, 02:05 pm »

Quote from: maxwalrath

Steve, what's a monitor section?

Hi Max,

The monitor section section allows one to send out the source input to another machine, for adding sound effects, record on tape machine, for signal manipulation etc, and then re-enter into the preamp to hear. One could use an external machine to dubb ones voice onto the source recording, say preparing for American Idol

, and hear how one sounds.