Tube linestage suggestions <=$5K

PaulFolbrecht · « **on:** 20 Jul 2006, 03:36 pm »

After a lot of playing with passives & actives over the last year I've decided that I usually do prefer an active tube linestage, provided that it is __QUIET__.

My current ModWright 9SE does fit the bill nicely, but I'd like to start thinking about upgrading it at some point. Currently leaning toward the Wyetech Jade but would like to hear other ideas.

As I said, being dead quiet is of prime importance, as is a FAST peice. I believe that the purpose of an active pre is to add dynamics. The best ones can do with with absolutely minimal - if any - degradation in transparency (as compared to a TVC). That is what I'm looking for.

I have always liked the sound of octals as well but that is NOT a requirement.

And, yes, the Dodd battery-powered unit is also already on the short list.

tvad4 · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Jul 2006, 03:54 pm »

I owned the SWL9.0SE, and I replaced it with a Lamm LL2, which I found to be more musical, albeit slightly less resolving. The Lamm offers the ability to tailor the sound with tubes to a greater degree than the SWL9.0SE, and I find the results to simply be more satisfying. However, I've made a paradigm shift in my approach to my system as I have moved away from uber-detail and resolution to a more musical and holistic presentation.

The other preamp I have owned that you might like is the First Sound Presence Deluxe II (or higher up the line). It's as quiet as the SWL9.0SE, is more resolving, IMO, is very dynamic and throws a large soundstage. In fact, it's very close in sound to the SWL9.0SE. It has no remote. It does offer more tube rolling options as it uses a pair of 6DJ8/6922.

I've read wonderful things about the Aesthetix Calypso, although I haven't heard one personally.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Jul 2006, 04:56 pm »

SOme other options to consider are two units by Manley Labs, the Shrimp which uses 9 pin versions and the new NEO 300B unit which uses octals and 300B tubes in it's design. The Shrimp is under $2K with the 300B being around the $5k budget.

Just some options.

Robert57 · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Jul 2006, 05:21 pm »

The Herron VTSP-2 has received a rave review from Hi-FI + recently, and is priced right at $5K. It is reputed to have excellent speed, detail, and transparency with an exceptionally low noise floor for a tube pre. It is even be more neutral than its SS sibling, but adds more life and detail to the music. I also like the fact that it has a full remote and a phase switch--great for Squeezebox shuffling. But I would like a bit of tuby richness, sweetness, and full organic note texture--definitely not just a clinical SS presentation. Has anyone tried this amp against the Modwright SWL? This is one that seems to do a lot of things very well, with some nice convenience features.

http://www.herronaudio.com/vtsp2specs.html

Rob

BobRex · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Jul 2006, 06:54 pm »

I'll second the Herron and also suggest the Joule electra LA150. Both are incredible linestages. I have the earlier JE (an LA100 Mk3) and I love it. Detailed, quiet, and musical. Stick a good power cord on it (I use a Black Sand White Light) and you are set. I also have the Herron Phono stage and will vouch for the quality of that. You can't go wron with either company.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 12:09 am »

VAC Standard.

http://www.vac-amps.com/Standard_Preamplifier_MkII.htm

earlmarc · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 12:14 am »

SAS Audio Labs Gold Reference 11A: http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/picture5.htm

opnly bafld · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 12:41 am »

Second the SAS 11a, it is better than my 10a, which is very good IMO.
Lin

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 12:47 am »

First Sound Presence Paramount MKII used. I have sold my First Sound Presence Deluxe MKI to someone who actually put his Joule Electra L150 on sale! He said that there was something missing in the presentation of that linestage, eventhough in the vocals it was superb.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 02:15 am »

Wow, I had not heard of half of these units. Glad I posted. It is sometimes frustrating how you can be in this hobby for years and think you at least know of everything and discover how wrong you were...

mtodde · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 03:53 am »

You may also want to look at the new Audio Research LS-17; it checks in at $4k and is very impressive.

Frihed91 · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 04:30 pm »

Blue Circle makes a range of dual mono tube amps that are very fast and very musical. They sound esp good driving BC SS and hybrid power amps. Phil from NY who is on these boards is a BC dealer: http://www.sonicspirits.com/gallery.htm. One of these, a Despina, is for sale on Audiogon at a very good price.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 04:41 pm »

Quote from: Frihed91 on 21 Jul 2006, 04:30 pm

Blue Circle makes a range of dual mono tube amps that are very fast and very musical. They sound esp good driving BC SS and hybrid power amps. Phil from NY who is on these boards is a BC dealer: http://www.sonicspirits.com/gallery.htm. One of these, a Despina, is for sale on Audiogon at a very good price.

FWIW, the BC tubed preamps are probably the least "tubey"-sounding tubed preamps out there. As a point of reference, at one of the NY Audio Raves, relative to the Modwright and Tube Audio Design preamps, a couple of guys thought the BC3000 was solid state. Of course, comparing it to a solid state preamp, the BC preamps do demonstrate that tube warmth, but its definitely more transparent, fast, and less "tubey" than you might expect.

gbeard · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 07:14 pm »

Lots of good ones in the price range including the aformentioned BC gear. However, my votes go for the two I have the most extensive experience with:

First Sound Presence Deluxe Mk II
AudioTropic Moebius

The quietest tube linestages I've heard. Both are awesome. Owned both (still own the Moebius).

While both are very quiet depending on the amp used, the combination of Moebius with the AudioTropic Music Machine amp is THE quietest tube system I have heard. No noise, zippo, nada...

Cheers,
gb

Ron D · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 08:17 pm »

Hovland HP-100 used in the $3K vicinty. Super cheap to re-tube (3 tubes), not "tubey" sounding at all and superbly built. Very detailed presentation. It surpassed a number of tubed and ss preamps in my system (Rogue Magnum 99 with NOS tubes, Ayre K1x, Joule LA-150 and an older Audible Illusions. Again its all about synergy as all of this preamps have worked well in a number of systems including a number of my friends'...

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Jul 2006, 09:20 pm »

This might have been the review that stated the First Sound Presence wave. It is interesting because it compares other preamps that have already been mentioned. Remember, it is almost a 6 year old review, but it does seem to hold true for that version period.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/firstsound_presence_deluxe_preamp.htm

alotaklipsch · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Jul 2006, 06:23 am »

Fuggetaboutit, Dodd reference, or his new battery power, the ref I have was compared to the CJ Act2 in my system.......I preferred the Dodd, with 1952 sylvania badboys(2), and 2 tungsol round plates :thumb:save your $$$$'s be smart

AudioFanKJ · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Jul 2006, 01:38 am »

From personal experience I can also highly recommend:

First Sound Presence Dlx. Mk II.

I will soon by receiving and comparing the new Dodd battery preamp that I am told will outperform the First Sound.
I am keeping all comments in the salt shaker with the grains, and will let the ears decide. From others however, the
Dodd battery preamp should be very good. New retail $2,800

I will also be comparing both to the new Fire preamp by H20 Audio (www.iceh2oaudio.com) by Henry Ho.
There is only a prototype at this point travelling around, and to my knowledge all seven or eight people whom have
auditioned one have also placed an order for it. This unit is a two chassis deep bias class A preamp...
New retail $3,000 (I think)

Interesting times indeed.

JLivermore · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Jul 2006, 03:08 am »

I started with a Berning ZH-270 with no preamp. The Noble pot in the Berning was my passive. And then I started thinking about what a preamp would do to the sound. I then tried an Emotive Audio Poeta, and lived with that for about a year, maybe 2. I was happy, very happy. What that preamp did for my system was added richness, I thought that was it. It sounded 'glorious'...through the honeymoon period, which lasted a while. Then I became aware of the lump in the lower end, and how obtrusive it became. Then it sat and collected dust until someone bought it. Then I thought, perhaps I should look towards the more modern designs (the Emotive was definitely modern, it just looks vintage) in a more traditional sense - Hovland, VTL, etc etc. They weren't doing it for me out in the showrooms. It was only when I heard the Lamm system that I could not hear the gear anymore. The Lamm L1 was put in front of the Berning, and things started to trend upwards very quickly.

If you can find a Lamm preamp, it may be worth the effort. Any of them (used).

Les Lammers · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Jul 2006, 10:27 pm »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 20 Jul 2006, 03:36 pm

After a lot of playing with passives & actives over the last year I've decided that I usually do prefer an active tube linestage, provided that it is __QUIET__.

My current ModWright 9SE does fit the bill nicely, but I'd like to start thinking about upgrading it at some point. Currently leaning toward the Wyetech Jade but would like to hear other ideas.

As I said, being dead quiet is of prime importance, as is a FAST peice. I believe that the purpose of an active pre is to add dynamics. The best ones can do with with absolutely minimal - if any - degradation in transparency (as compared to a TVC). That is what I'm looking for.

I have always liked the sound of octals as well but that is NOT a requirement.

And, yes, the Dodd battery-powered unit is also already on the short list.

Check out the DeHavilland Ultraverve.