tube preamp recommendation

tdangelo · « **on:** 3 Sep 2006, 04:09 pm »

I'm thinking of selling my Tact 2.0S (full Aberdeen mods) and getting a tube preamp and dac to go along with my tube amps. The Tact works perfectly in my system but I kinda want the all tube sound. Any recommendation for less than $2 for the pre? I need lots of gain as my Jolida amps are rated at 2.35v for 200wpc. My speakers are 88 dbw.

Thanks!

Tony D.

Hantra · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 06:16 pm »

The Modwright is a good recommendation at that price point.

Being the McIntosh zealot that I am, I would be doing a disservice not to mention the new C220. It's the best I've heard in the sub $5K price range. It's going to be tough to get for $2K, but you can probably get close to where you need to be if they pop up on the used market.

Berndt · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 06:19 pm »

mapletree, gotta spread the word...
and there is a circle here.
ultra se4
800$, hand made by Dr Lloyd.
I know a person who sold his hovland for one, that was good enough for me.

earlmarc · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 07:20 pm »

You might also consider the New SAS Audio Labs Reference 11A preamplifier. Its really good! I own the SAS 10A and the 11A was a definate step above it. I believe the Basic 11A goes for $2399.00.
http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/pream11a.htm

tdangelo · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 07:27 pm »

I knew this wasn't going to be easy

Some that I'm interested so far are the Jolida Music Envoy, Primaluna Pro 3, Ming Da MC-2A3

Thanks

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 08:14 pm »

The deHaviland UltraVerve. The UltraVere sounds great with my JD3000's.

http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/UltraVerve-Preamplifier.htm

arthurs · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 08:34 pm »

These are actually pretty remarkable sounding pre's, and they have an in-home audition available....

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1162317054

tdangelo · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 08:36 pm »

yeah, I was checking out there ad the other day - may be a possiblility.

Thanks

Quote from: arthurs on 3 Sep 2006, 08:34 pm

These are actually pretty remarkable sounding pre's, and they have an in-home audition available....

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1162317054

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 08:59 pm »

Single Power sells killer OTL headphone amps, all but the base model uses 6SN7 gain tubes. They are well built and offer several options including pre-amp outputs. Prices with pre-amp outputs run $768 to over $8000.

Reviews:

http://www.soundstage.com/allinyourhead/allinyourhead200410.htm

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/singlepower/mpx3.html

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/equipment/0106/singlepower_mpx3.htm

hartwerger · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 09:23 pm »

I am going to second the Mapletree Audio suggestion above. A true sleeper in the ever competitive audio world.

tdangelo · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 09:48 pm »

I should say that my only source will be my SB2 using the digital out. Maybe an outboard DAC and TVC would work - just need to get a DAC with enough output?

THanks

Tony

Carl V · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 09:50 pm »

good recommendations so far.....Mapletree is a sleeper indeed. Very nice TUBE sound. Your price range is competitive. It also is just under the
price:performance curve. $2K-2.5 would open the options more. But your
wise to stick to a budget.

There is a Superphon III for sale in the Marketplace. At $1,200.00 it is a true bargin. It's damn fine sounding. Not too tubey. And it will have good resale.

I believe there is a nice Ma-Ding Pre-amp for sale as well, which was modded by Response Audio. I have never heard this unit but Response Audio is a great outfit to do business with. And I believe he will honor any work needed.

Wayner · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 10:32 pm »

The T8 by Audio by Van Alstine.

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 02:02 am »

Quote from: JLM on 3 Sep 2006, 08:59 pm

Single Power sells killer OTL headphone amps, all but the base model uses 6SN7 gain tubes. They are well built and offer several options including pre-amp outputs. Prices with pre-amp outputs run $768 to over $8000.

Reviews:

http://www.soundstage.com/allinyourhead/allinyourhead200410.htm

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/singlepower/mpx3.html

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/equipment/0106/singlepower_mpx3.htm

Double ditto!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 02:44 am »

Tony.....Since the Modwright and SAS Audio have been mentioned already (their good preamps)....how about a Juicy Music preamp....Xtreme or Blueberry or Peach. A Blueberry review.......(I do own a Blueberry).
Chris

toobluvr · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 02:58 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 4 Sep 2006, 02:44 am

............(I do own a Blueberry).
Chris

so do I...
actually, I own a BB Xtreme.
Good sound...great value!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 03:13 am »

Quote from: toobluvr on 4 Sep 2006, 02:58 am

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 4 Sep 2006, 02:44 am
............(I do own a Blueberry).
Chris

so do I...
actually, I own a BB Xtreme.
Good sound...great value!

I know....and I'll bet it matches well with your tube amp(s)......their nice units.

JoshK · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 03:35 am »

My recommendation will be different then most. Do some math first. Find out what the output impedance (Zout) of your source(s) are and the nominal voltage(s) (Vrms). Then determine what the input sensitivity and input impedance (Zin) of your amp is. Together this will determine if you need any gain in your system. Actually you should also determine if the full output of your amp is sufficient and neccessary for you speakers, but assuming this is so, that will suffice.

I say this because most preamps have quite a lot of gain. More gain means more noise and more distortion most of the time. This may be nice for the system that has too much odd or higher harmonic distortion but isn't nice in general. Some tube preamps are different then most and have different gain structures, so knowing how much you need can help us guide what tube preamps might be best for you [if you have determined that tube preamp is definitely in your future].

This might seem a bit too objectionist to you, but mind you I like tube equiptment and value the right profile of distortion. I just think that too often all the rest is overlooked even though it should help immensely.

tdangelo · « **Reply #18 on:** 5 Sep 2006, 06:40 pm »

thanks for all the suggestions

I went ahead and purchased a used Jolida Envoy pre (modded with VH Audio oil caps and Theta caps) and an MHDT Labs Paradisea tube DAC (TDA1545A non-os). Hopefully the combo will sound as good as my Tact. The Envoy has 30db gain

I REALLY love the Tact 2.0S but my only problem is that in correction mode I simply don't have enough gain. In bypass it gets pretty loud but whats the point of having lots of $$ tied up in the Tact if I can't use it's main feature(correction)?? It still sounds pretty good in bypass but corrected its MUCH better. Since I had Mauimods (Anthony) do his "full enchilada" mods and PS I've enjoyed music much more than ever before but the Jolida's 2.35v input sens. for 200wpc is too high for the Tact when I correct ;( I don't usually listen super loud but..... Hopefully it will work out! If so my Tact will be for sale at a decent price

Tony D.

boead · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Sep 2006, 07:12 pm »

Quote from: tdangelo on 3 Sep 2006, 04:09 pm

I'm thinking of selling my Tact 2.0S (full Aberdeen mods) and getting a tube preamp and dac to go along with my tube amps. The Tact works perfectly in my system but I kinda want the all tube sound. Any recommendation for less than $2 for the pre? I need lots of gain as my Jolida amps are rated at 2.35v for 200wpc. My speakers are 88 dbw.

Thanks!

Tony D.

Well it just so happens that I’m selling my Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence Seven SLR Preamp.
Its got lots of gain, I used it with my 2 wpc SET with great success.

The Van Alstine stuff is real nice sounding.

Check out the Market Place here on Audio Circle, I just posted some photos too.
Besides that, the BAT V3xx are nice.