Need advice on Budget Tubed Preamps

buckeyefanandy · « **on:** 15 May 2006, 10:29 pm »

What is out there that is a great preamp for a little cash?

bhobba · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 May 2006, 11:00 pm »

Quote from: buckeyefanandy

What is out there that is a great preamp for a little cash?

That depends on what you mean by little cash.
At about $2700 the Dodd Audio battey powered preamp seems to be the best regardless of price - at least I have not seen any post about anything able to beat it.
If you are into DIY the AKSA GK1 at about $650.00 looks a good choice.
Cheaper but still very good stuff is avialable from AVI
http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/preamplifier/index.htm

Thanks
Bill

rosconey · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 May 2006, 11:47 pm »

guy just posted a mini max for 500-grab it

Luigi · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 May 2006, 01:28 am »

I cannot speak highly enough of the Tubalizer http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=304 and a decent stepped attenuator http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/stepped_attn_e.html) in a box of your choice.
You should be able to create this for under $US300, including a 12v SLA battery to drive it.
Im simply amazed at how good this is. And I have had several moderately expensive high end tube amps, including the likes of Cary SLA 90, or some such.
I have never spent so little and gotten so much in return before. As mentioned in my brief A/B comparo against a magnetic volume control (transformer based) that cost over twice as much, there's no comparison, at least in my system.
Check out comments on how they sound here: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=27386
Luigi

Steve · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 May 2006, 01:34 am »

"At about $2700 the Dodd Audio battey powered preamp seems to be the best regardless of price - at least I have not seen any post about anything able to beat it."

Is it on the market? I do not see it mentioned on his webpage yet.

I hear the dynaco preamps are suppose to be good, and reasonably priced.

Hope this helps.

Hogg · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:02 am »

I'll second the Eastern Electric. It's an amazingly musical preamp for the money.

Jim

bacobits1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:29 am »

I have the Mini Max, in fact I have all Mini Max, Pre, Phono Pre and the ECL82 Amp. Excellent for the cost. It's the tube rolling!

D

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:31 am »

Quote from: Steve

"At about $2700 the Dodd Audio battey powered preamp seems to be the best regardless of price - at least I have not seen any post about anything able to beat it."

Is it on the market? I do not see it mentioned on his webpage yet.

I hear the dynaco preamps are suppose to be good, and reasonably priced.

Hope this helps.

The PAS-4, a new Dynaco made in the mid-to-late 90's, is a darn nice find. Re-tubed with 4 x 6n1p and a pair of 12AX7's in the phono stage and you have a real winner for under $500 used. I love mine.

The Dodd is not the only 12v preamp out there......Welborne has one, fully assembled, for about $1000.00 less. Can't speak of it's virtues as I've heard neither...but the $1000.00 saved is probably what amounts to dealer margin (Dodd has it - Welborne does not)

http://www.welbornelabs.com/ultra.htm

jon_010101 · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:58 am »

I'd place my vote for the JuicyMusic gear. Sounds great... plus lots of tube-swapping options, and looks sweet (well, depending on your taste... but I dig it). Great stuff if you want a natural, relaxed sound.

doorman · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:19 am »

You might also look at http://www.transcendentsound.com
I'm currently using one, ( GG) I'm happy to listen for extended periods. The price won't empty your wallet either! Don

buckeyefanandy · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:36 am »

The Norh
The Audio Note M-One
The Audible Illusions M-3
A few Quicksilvers
The Audio Mirror PP-1 or T 62

There are a few others and the mini max may be the top of the list. They are all within a $200 of each other.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:41 am »

Oh boy, the Wright Sound WLA12A is a gem, and for under $1000. Octal 6SN7 tubes, switchable gain, 12 or 20 dB. George's products are keepers. His WPP200C phono pre is another.

http://www.wright-sound.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=10

jon_010101 · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:48 am »

Quote from: Parnelli777

Oh boy, the Wright Sound WLA12A is a gem, and for under $1000. Octal 6SN7 tubes, switchable gain, 12 or 20 dB. George's products are keepers. His WPP200C phono pre is another.

http://www.wright-sound.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=10

When I get around to buying a turntable (after I move into an apartment that *isn't* directly above a gigantic rumbling boiler), I will probably buy a WPP200C. Sooo coooool.

buckeyefanandy · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:52 am »

Price is well out of my range. $700 was my top, and was higher than I can do now. That would be in a month or two after some other things are cleared up. But I have a speaking engagement in august that should bring in some extra cash.

I just want to be on the watch. The minimax may be mine, if things fall into place. but the others are available and are within reach.

jon_010101 · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 May 2006, 05:03 am »

Quote from: buckeyefanandy

Price is well out of my range. $700 was my top, and was higher than I can do now.

Perhaps you should investigate the cute Dodd Audio preamp ... not sure if it is still available new, but they pop up used for ~ $400 at times, often with some neat old tubes. I haven't heard it but I've heard great things about it.

http://www.doddaudio.biz/products/elp.asp

bhobba · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 May 2006, 06:57 am »

Quote from: Steve

"Is it on the market? I do not see it mentioned on his webpage yet.

Orders are being taken:
http://www.tweekgeek.com/product.asp?pf_id=DoddBatteryPre
Looks like it will be available in August.

Thanks
Bill

sas · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 May 2006, 10:06 am »

Another suggestion: http://www.decware.com have the SE84CSP, which I find interesting because it has adjustable gain. Price $640.

The norh aca2b has also been getting some god reviews in the norh circle.

Joey B · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 May 2006, 12:35 pm »

Bottlehead Foerplay III $369 You assemble roll your tubes and capacitors . It took me 5 hrs to put together for musical heaven .

buckeyefanandy · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 May 2006, 01:36 pm »

I would love to do the Bottlehead and the also the audio sector dac, but I have no skills. Building assembly etc, I would mess this up.

BobM · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:44 pm »

You can buy a Hagerman Coronet classic direct and fully assembled for $699. Very good stuff here, and a little tube rolling makes it better.

http://www.hagtech.com/cornet.html

Enjoy,
Bob