Best Tube Preamp that is Biggest Bang for the Buck

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #20 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:45 pm »

Yeah, forgot about the Mapletree that member 'berndt' let us hear for a few minutes a few months ago.

I think the linestage is $650...and the Line + Phono unit is $800.00. Seems to be a fantastic preamp, that one.

NOTE/EDIT - seems the Canadian / USD currency exchange has forced prices upward a bit - the linestage is now $750 and line + phono is $900.

Sigfreed · « **Reply #21 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:45 pm »

I own the Eastern Electric Minimax for $1000(rolled with NOS tubes) and think it sounds great but if you guys think i can do better in this price range i would love to know about it as this is my first tubed pre ever.Was previously going passive and enjoy the presentation the Minimax has added to my system.

jrebman · « **Reply #22 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:59 pm »

I'll vote for the Eastern Minimax with NOS tubes and the current version of mods available through morningstaraudio. Very quiet (can't hear a thing through the Signature 70s), extremely dynamic, excellent bottom to top smootheness, and responds very well to NOS tube rolling. Seems to be a very good and popular choice in front of unforgiving digital amps. $1350 modded, another $100 - $200 for NOS tubes and you'll be amazed. Tubes I'm currently using: Genalex 1950s British Military 6x4/u707, 12FQ7 in buffer position (requires mods for this), and Amperex Bugle Boy 12Au7 in gain stage. No need for matched pairs, only have to select tubes with good triode-to-triode balance.

-- Jim

eric the red · « **Reply #23 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 09:14 pm »

A used BAT Vk-3i for @ $1k is a great pre. Quicksilver also makes some nice tube pres for under $1k

Rocket · « **Reply #24 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 11:32 pm »

Hi,

I had the Beta version of the Modwright preamp and apart from my Son of Ampzilla amplifier it has been the only piece of equipment that I imported from overseas that sounded any good imo.

My dealer sells nuforce amplifiers and he uses bel canto preamps or nuforce. Whilst neither are tube preamps they do match quite well with the nuforce amplifier. I see all these products selling on audiogon regularly. Make sure you match the nuforce amplifier with a good quality preamp as it will reduce your amps performance.

Regards

Rod

TomW16 · « **Reply #25 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 11:44 pm »

Since nobody has mentioned the Audio by Van Alstine (AVA) T8, I'll mention it. It seems to get really good reviews too.

Tom

bunky · « **Reply #26 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 11:45 pm »

Quote from: eric the red on 13 Jun 2007, 09:14 pm

A used BAT Vk-3i for @ $1k is a great pre. Quicksilver also makes some nice tube pres for under $1k

I own a BAT VK3i which is very good and the Odyssey Candela which is an excellent tube linestage and i just bought a SAS AudioLabs 10A preamplifier from Maxwalrath to use in a second tube powered two channel rig along with my Sonicfrontiers SFS 80 tube power amp.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #27 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 11:58 pm »

Hey Bunky...I actually joined this thread to give a vote for the ol' SAS. Fancy seeing you here. Hope you like it!

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #28 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 12:16 am »

I got a custombuilt SEA 8608 tube preamp which is the best preamp I have ever had. It can beat any brand name tube preamp in the range of 5K to 8K in the market.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #29 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 12:41 am »

Quote from: Sigfreed on 13 Jun 2007, 08:45 pm

I own the Eastern Electric Minimax for $1000(rolled with NOS tubes) and think it sounds great but if you guys think i can do better in this price range i would love to know about it as this is my first tubed pre ever.Was previously going passive and enjoy the presentation the Minimax has added to my system.

The MM is stupendous at just about everything except that it is on the noisy side. It is a traditional tube pre in that respect. If that doesn't bug you - if your speakers are under 92dB/W or so - yeah, it's really killer.

Yes, I owned one.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #30 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 12:42 am »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 14 Jun 2007, 12:41 am

The MM is stupendous at just about everything except that it is on the noisy side. It is a traditional tube pre in that respect. If that doesn't bug you - if your speakers are under 92dB/W or so - yeah, it's really killer.

Yes, I owned one.

It's richness goes well with Red Wine stuff.

James Romeyn · « **Reply #31 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 12:42 am »

Quote from: tanchiro58 on 14 Jun 2007, 12:16 am

I got a custombuilt SEA 8608 tube preamp which is the best preamp I have ever had. It can beat any brand name tube preamp in the range of 5K to 8K in the market.

Right on! Um...my home built modified jet powered mini bike can beat Troy Corser's MotoGP Duck around the Catalunya Circuit.

eric the red · « **Reply #32 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 12:54 am »

Quote from: RibbonSpeakers.net on 14 Jun 2007, 12:42 am

Quote from: tanchiro58 on 14 Jun 2007, 12:16 am
I got a custombuilt SEA 8608 tube preamp which is the best preamp I have ever had. It can beat any brand name tube preamp in the range of 5K to 8K in the market.

Right on! Um...my home built modified jet powered mini bike can beat Troy Corser's MotoGP Duck around the Catalunya Circuit.

Uh yeah, you and Jay Leno...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmgfF1zghg

mtodde · « **Reply #33 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 01:36 am »

Chalk me up as another extremely happy Modwright customer. I can't imagine a better value than the SWLP

bluemike · « **Reply #34 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 01:40 am »

An Oldie but a goodie. Audioprism Mantissa

I've built my system around this fine pre amp

eric the red · « **Reply #35 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 01:53 am »

Quote from: bluemike on 14 Jun 2007, 01:40 am

An Oldie but a goodie. Audioprism Mantissa

I've built my system around this fine pre amp

I've heard nothing but good things about the Mantissa for years. Beautiful to look at and hard to find used.

bluemike · « **Reply #36 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 02:04 am »

Quote from: eric the red on 14 Jun 2007, 01:53 am

Quote from: bluemike on 14 Jun 2007, 01:40 am
An Oldie but a goodie. Audioprism Mantissa

I've built my system around this fine pre amp

I've heard nothing but good things about the Mantissa for years. Beautiful to look at and hard to find used.

BobC · « **Reply #37 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 02:05 am »

Very happy with my $1200 Candela.

Sounds great, built like a tank and customer service is top notch. Only complaint is the remote.

Cheers!

jeffjazz · « **Reply #38 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 02:05 am »

Another Modwright vote. I have owned many highly rated preamps and this one with the new teflon cap upgrade trumps them all.

frustrated · « **Reply #39 on:** 14 Jun 2007, 02:11 am »

I have recently acquired an Audio Research SP3a from the original owner. It still has the original tubes and they are like new. i am very happy with it. I doubt that I will look to replace it any time soon.