Best Tube Preamp that is Biggest Bang for the Buck

mcullinan · « **on:** 13 Jun 2007, 01:18 pm »

I think my AI Mod3A has seen its day. Any suggestions on next step to audio Nirvana?
Thanks so much.
Mike

WGH · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 02:46 pm »

Biggest bang for your buck? The Hagtech Clarinet http://www.hagtech.com/clarinet.html.
Add one of the Cornet models if you need a phono stage.

These units are endlessly tweakable depending on your budget. Figure around $500 stock, or $700 each with the highly recommended Sonicap/Mundorf SIO cap upgrade. I am using the Cornet2, it is completely quiet with deep tight bass, smooth highs, and wide sound stage.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 02:50 pm »

Used, I've always thought highly of the Audible Illusions Modulus 2D.
You can usually get a pretty clean one for about 600.

Kit, the Hagerman or Bottlehead products are pretty cool and easy
to build. Both Jim Hagerman and Doc B are great guys to deal with.

New, I'd probably vote for the Modwright 9.0 SWL. Those are even
starting to show up on the used mkt at a pretty good price too...

ohenry · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 02:58 pm »

Transcendent Sound GG.

rlmacklin · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 03:35 pm »

I have Modwright SWL 9.0 SE and then had Dan mod it to the Signature Edition w/ tube rectified power supply. It is excellent and an excellent value at its price point.
See Modwright circle section of AudioCircle.

Odyssey Candela has come out more recently and also gets very good reviews as a very good value at a lower price point than the Modwright.
See Odyssey circle section of AudioCircle.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 03:39 pm »

I'd have to third or fourth the Modwright tube preamp. Absolutely excellent IMO.

saisunil · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 03:41 pm »

Mapletree Line 2A SE or Phono 4 SE $750
http://www.hollowstate.netfirms.com/#preamps
TVC $1000
http://www.promitheusaudio.com/apollo.htm

Owners of both these pre-amps consider it not only a great band for the buck but a great pre-amp.
I have heard both (a different active TVC version) and they are both very good choices for a very good preamp and they are great choices for the price point.

Cary SLP 98L used is also considered a very good option ($1750 used)
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1186275015

All these amps get better with Old Stock Tubes

All these Pre-amps were on top of my list. Now I am going for Tube Research Labs Pre - it is Solid State battery powered though.

byteme · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 04:01 pm »

After I put the deHavilland Ultraverve in my system I've not even thought about another preamp. Well, ohter than the deHavilland Mercury!! Great sound and Kara and her team are awesome to deal with.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 04:03 pm »

Two important questions....the budget $$$....and what amp are you using ?

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 04:09 pm »

Modwright, Placette & Supratek.

Surprised nobody has mentioned Supratek yet... oh boy they are good for the $. Good without any qualifications whatsoever, actually; even the lowest model is not embarrassed by cost no object designs.

mcullinan · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 04:15 pm »

The amps I have are Nuforce 9SE v2s. My budget, what budget.. probably under 2K.
Mike

acresm22 · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 05:16 pm »

Just sent you a pm, Mike.

zacster · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 05:50 pm »

Nobody mentioned the Aikido. Probably the biggest bang for the buck but you have to build it yourself. And there are endless variations of tube choices and of course you can use whatever boutique parts you want.

I think the board will set you back all of $40 at tubecad.com.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 06:20 pm »

I found the Dynaco PAS-4 to have remarkable value-to-cost basis.

Very quiet, two outputs (for sub use, etc), regulated supplies for each tube, ability to roll excellent 6n1p's in for 6922 spots, IEC inlet for swapping power cords, and a very quiet phono stage, too. A great entre' to tube pre-amplication from solid state.

Discontinued about 10 years ago and can be typically found for under $500 now. I have seen them go higher over the past two years as the good word on them increases.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?preatube&1168655495

boead · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 07:04 pm »

Anything from McAlister Audio - simple!

marvda1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 07:54 pm »

belles 21a with auricaps $3000 new but if you can talk this guy down just a little bit more killer deal.
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1184779682

Bill Baker · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:04 pm »

Quote

I found the Dynaco PAS-4 to have remarkable value-to-cost basis.

I was a dealer for this product when it was still Panor Corp. I bought out the last batch when discontinued and sold them dirt cheap. I think it was $600 NIB

. I should have kept a few and held on to them. Excellent piece for the dollar and a tweakers dream.

GregC · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:13 pm »

I agree with people who mentioned the Modwright preamp (I owned one of the original SWL 9.0SE preamps and I am currently enjoying Dan's SWP 9.0 SE phono stage). However, I am thrilled with my current reference preamp that I think competes with mmany price-no-object preamps (Dodd Battery powered preamp).

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:16 pm »

Quote from: Response Audio on 13 Jun 2007, 08:04 pm

I was a dealer for this product when it was still Panor Corp. I bought out the last batch when discontinued and sold them dirt cheap. I think it was $600 NIB . I should have kept a few and held on to them. Excellent piece for the dollar and a tweakers dream.

That's about what I paid for it on ebay circa-2001 or so. It bested several thrown against it during that time (I sold it last year).

Makes me wonder

if all it really needed was the caps replaced (after 10 years). Oh, well......

James Romeyn · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:38 pm »

I probably already mentioned the MapleTREE, circa $650 stock. Absolutely unbeatable IMO unless you move way way up the food chain. Remarkable.