Best Tube Preamp that is Biggest Bang for the Buck

WEEZ · « **Reply #80 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 12:57 am »

Josh,

Interesting take.

I guess i'm more a believer in how a tube is used, rather than the tube itself (the curcuit and associated resistors, caps, and especially power supplies...) making a more significant sonic difference. Even the 6SN7, for example, doesn't dictate the sound all by itself. Compare, for example, a Dehavilland Ultra Verve and a Wyetech Labs Jade. They really sound nothing alike.

As for my recommendation for 'biggest bang for the buck'; it would hands down be the Transcendent GG. (and it uses 12AU7's

)

WEEZ

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #81 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 02:05 am »

Hi Everyone,

Talking about tubes you sound like you know only "triode" and "feedback." Do you know the 8608 (Amperex SQ and PQ) and 8233 (or Mullard EL55 tubes)? They sound better than any other tubes "I mean feedback and triode tubes" in a preamp design like I have right now. This preamp has high gain (46dB) but less distortion.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #82 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 02:11 am »

46dB of gain?!

That is unheard of in these parts.

I do believe in high-gain linestages now as per Supratek's Mick Maloney. For whatever reason, extra gain that gets attenuated away does some good.

In general, how many triodes per feedback nodule should a tube swing would you say??

Bill Baker · « **Reply #83 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 02:22 am »

I have to agree with many responses here in that it is not always the tube that dictates the integrity of the product rather the design itself. I am a big fan of 6SN7 based units but I have heard some bad designs just as I have heard some exceptional 12AU7 based pieces. I do like the 12AU7 over most other 12--7 series tubes.

Regarding *numbers*, there are many to considierion with preamps, rather than just gain, you still have to look at output impedance and input sensitivity. The most important aspect is to have a preamp that better suits your amplification. *Synergy*. Most tube amp designs have an imput impedance of 50K - 100K which makes selecting a preamp an easier job.

There are many good preamp design based around any given tube.

underdog64 · « **Reply #84 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 05:33 am »

I'd say the best tube pre amp bang for the buck is the Audio Mirror T-61 tube pre.Simple circuit design using 2 6n1p tubes in the linestage and one tube for the tube rectified power supply.Has outstanding pace bass and great overall sound-goes for about $700 new.I had mine modified using two VH Audio OIMP caps ,a gold Furutech IEC and a Hi Fi tuning fuse and sounds even better and the the coupling caps aren't even broken in yet!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #85 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 06:11 am »

Quote from: mcullinan on 13 Jun 2007, 04:15 pm

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

Since this was on page two, I bring it to your attention.....the Best Tube Preamp "thats under 2k", and works well with his "Nuforce 9SE v2s"......

My pick for the "best bang for the lowest amount of buck's"....the Mapletree.
I've not heard it with a Nuforce amp...but with a SS, or Digital, or a Hybrid amp....it worked fine.

(borrowed from topround)

JoshK · « **Reply #86 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 02:18 pm »

Quote from: Response Audio on 20 Jun 2007, 02:22 am

I have to agree with many responses here in that it is not always the tube that dictates the integrity of the product rather the design itself.

I agree with this too and I didn't mean to mean otherwise. My point was that with a lot of cookie-cutter preamps (from china, and also from domestic 'hi-end') that a lot of what you are getting is a similar circuit, so in those cases the tube plays a much larger role. IMHO of course.

Imperial · « **Reply #87 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 03:44 pm »

The best tube, does not exist...
The best preamp, is not what will ever appear!

It's all about giving the tube what it wants!!!
And to understand that tubes will distort! And to use this for the best!
Also, don't be obsessed with zero feedback...
Feedback ain't bad! You don't get to hump the prom queen anyway!!! If you get my drift!!! Keep looking, but the thighs are crossed homeboy!

Imperial

mcullinan · « **Reply #88 on:** 20 Jun 2007, 03:49 pm »

um... Im humping the prom queen right now, at least her leg... heh heh (Beavis and Butthead laugh)
Mike

rollo · « **Reply #89 on:** 21 Jun 2007, 07:08 am »

Just forget about the tubed Preamp and obtain a TVC. You will be happy you did.

rollo

Imperial · « **Reply #90 on:** 21 Jun 2007, 11:56 am »

Preampy thoughts...

I think one should try to find the flavour one finds appealing... be it tubes, transistors or TVC as mentioned above. Then get the preamp that look about right for whoever is looking.

I find with myself that the offerings are narrowed down to a few, then I just choose!
It is a simple as that for me! A choice based on what ever level of information I am able to gather.
It can be "liking" the sound... Liking the "circuit" - (Knowing it is better at keeping with reality in the amplifying...)...
My interest is a fleeting one! I like to not listen to the same setup for a too long time!!!
I want change from time to time!

It's like, you like a song sung by several different people! Each of them has a distinct way of singing it!
But, you can't really say that any of them "nails it"... 'Coz it's the song you like... Right?
Or is it the singer? In which case you will play whatever that person has recorded...

The song or the singer...
If you like the song... you will roll them components forever... never stopping up to just enjoy
the singer...

I enjoy the singer... (which is translated to the artist here)
To get a preamp to "come on song..." Now we are talking!
I parallel a Song with a preamp.... "it is written" - "it is being sung" ...

I'd go for a preamp that makes the SINGER come alive, every time!
And I find that I change in my way of wanting to hear that singer... as time go by!

My preampy thoughts on the bang for the buck preamp is that it isn't a particular make or model.
It's the preamp you can afford now... that in some way appealed to you, at the moment of purchase.

Let me put forth something that has to do with "love" ...
How do you keep the love alive in a relationship? How do you keep the interest going?

- You need a change of scenery from time to time... But you still "love" your "spouse" all the same right?

Blast! Finding that the preamp you already have just ain't doing it for the relationship "with the music/song/Artist" anymore, has maybe come "on song" because you find that you needed a change...

People change components, and they report that:"oh my word I'm pulling out records like never before here! I Love it!!!"

What happened? They had a bang... for their buck...

Imperial

MarkM · « **Reply #91 on:** 21 Jun 2007, 01:20 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 13 Jun 2007, 04:15 pm

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

I don't think you can go wrong with the AVA T8 or the Ultra preamp. 30 day satisfaction guarantee convinced me to try and then purchase the T8.

Steve · « **Reply #92 on:** 21 Jun 2007, 02:00 pm »

I am not sure I can agree with some of the recommendations posted, such as tube rectification, high gain is bad etc, etc being needed.

But then again, it also depends on what one wants for sound. Some prefer accurate and crystal clear, some prefer a smoother sound, others prefer more articulate and thinner.

Nothing wrong with that, as long as the public knows what one is getting. However, that can be quite difficult as there is not a testing procedure in Common use that will tell us what is actually neutral/accurate and what isn't. So basically it is a guessing game.

So I think the comments are relative as to preference. I would recommend listening to as many components in home as possible, checking out their service record, price, and going from there. Sometimes the cheapest isn't the best if the service record is poor.

Hope this helps.

mcullinan · « **Reply #93 on:** 21 Jun 2007, 02:08 pm »

Well... I thought I would go for the Minimax, then I was eyeballing the Modwright, now Ive lined up for an Odyssey Candela... I just hope my patience holds out... Right now Im using my Lavry DA-10 as a preamp..

I was thinking about this, if I use my DAC as a preamp, what does running the line out through another preamp get me.. besides access to my subwoofer...

Also I dont know if I have the patience to hold out (4++ weeks for the Candela).. Im part of the need it now mental condition, yes its terminal...
Mike

lcrim · « **Reply #94 on:** 21 Jun 2007, 02:51 pm »

This thread was about the best tube preamp for the buck at its start. If indeed a tube preamp is the article desired. An active preamp that uses tubes is my preference because it does add something I like to the sound. I have the modded Eastern Electric Minimax in a system and while I can hear a slight rush w/ my ear up against 96 dB Omega Compact Hemps it isn't an issue given that the music it produces has a substantial image that only comes from the use of tubes. The Eastern Electric is very sensitive to tube rolling and it is a very well built piece. I listen to vinyl mostly and adding up all the gain figures, 57 dB for the phono section, 18 db for the EE preamp and 12 dB for the Music Reference EM7 SET amp there is quite a bit of gain, but the noise is not an issue. I live in the Jersey suburbs with very noisy power off the grid and background noise is not an issue.
The Modwright is from all reports even quieter but more costly and since noise is not an issue now, I think I'll keep my EE for now. The Supratek and Wyetech as well as the DeHavilland Ultraverve family of preamps are also highly thought of and if I were richer I might check one of those models out but they are much pricier.
If you do get a new preamp let us know how it works out.

Big Jim · « **Reply #95 on:** 26 Jun 2007, 07:08 pm »

You can build Bruce Rozenblit's Line Stage Preamp for under $100. The schematic is in Glass Audio. Great value for the money.

lazydays · « **Reply #96 on:** 26 Jun 2007, 09:03 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 21 Jun 2007, 02:08 pm

Well... I thought I would go for the Minimax, then I was eyeballing the Modwright, now Ive lined up for an Odyssey Candela... I just hope my patience holds out... Right now Im using my Lavry DA-10 as a preamp..

I was thinking about this, if I use my DAC as a preamp, what does running the line out through another preamp get me.. besides access to my subwoofer...

Also I dont know if I have the patience to hold out (4++ weeks for the Candela).. Im part of the need it now mental condition, yes its terminal...
Mike

I made a comment once that I've had four tubed preamps in my downstairs system, and none were horrible but a couple were better. And one just stepped out front within fifteen minutes of listening to it. It was the Candella. I do believe you gotta at least touch $3500 if not $4K to get that kind of sound. As soon as you first pick the thing up you know something's different about it as it actually has some heft to it. The preamp is built like a tank. Does acoustic bass as well as anything I've ever heard, and in the vast majority better. Reeds are very warm and extremely accurate, and the same can pretty much be said accross the scale. Still it's shining point is the way it images. I've had a few musicians listen to my setup, and always asked them about where they were during a live recording.
As for waiting for a four week period to get yours, that's actually pretty quick. Most guys had to wait a little longer. Mine sorta came as a surprise. I ordered mine at the same time I had my amps upgraded, and was told it would be close to three months if not a little longer. Had mine in about eight weeks setting in the front seat of my car.
gary

JoshK · « **Reply #97 on:** 26 Jun 2007, 11:50 pm »

Quote from: Steve on 21 Jun 2007, 02:00 pm

I am not sure I can agree with some of the recommendations posted, such as tube rectification, tube types, high gain is bad etc, etc being needed.

But then again, it also depends on what one wants for sound. Some prefer accurate and crystal clear, some prefer a smoother sound, others prefer more articulate and thinner. In otherwards.

Nothing wrong with that, as long as the public knows what one is getting. However, that can be quite difficult as there is not a testing procedure in Common use that will tell us what is actually neutral/accurate and what isn't. So basically it is a guessing game.

So I think the comments are relative as to preference. I would recommend listening to as many components in home as possible, checking out their service record, price, and going from there. Sometimes the cheapest isn't the best if the service record is poor.

Hope this helps.

Perhaps. I agree to some extent. I guess my implicit point is why not design a circuit around a tube with excellent characteristics to begin with? I know not all with this design idealogy, not even some of my idols.

stryker · « **Reply #98 on:** 5 Jul 2007, 03:13 am »

Awesome 6SN7 tube preamp as I stated in a previous post. With remote! Not a Supra so check with manuf. to see how close it comes. Stock MPX3 has slightly less refined sound (but great bass) but the mods on this baby may bring it up to Supra sound.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=249065

Steve · « **Reply #99 on:** 6 Jul 2007, 12:47 pm »

"Perhaps. I agree to some extent. I guess my implicit point is why not design a circuit around a tube with excellent characteristics to begin with?"

Hi Josh,

I agree, I like a wire with gain that has sumpuous natural tonal balance, sounds live, definitely not sterile, and with lots of true inner detail? But that is my personal view point.

I know alot of people like artificially colored sound and use tubes that produce it. (see above) That is why I previously posted the way I did, not to offend anyone.