[mildead]

I want to buy a really good tube preamp. It must be in mint condition. I pay up to 350 €.
jpmr50@telefonica.net

[lonewolfny42]

That's .....$445.00 USD.
You might check for a used Eastern Electric Mini Max preamp....but...I'd think you'll need a little more cash....

[Mariusz]

This is probably out of your budget .
My buddy will sell it for $1250 plus shipping.
It retails for $3000. Jas Array 1.1 pre.
I own it about 9 months ago along with Supratek pre which replaced it.
Very sweet, extremely quiet and build like a german tank.
He will include all of the NOS tubes which cost him $350 alone.
Sweet deal.






Specifications:
Signal to noise ratio: over 90dB
Frequency response: 5Hz to 100kHz
Total harmonic distortion: < 0.5%
Total gain: 20dB
Output impedance: 2.5k Ohm
Input impedance: 100k Ohm
Input sensitivity: 1V
Input: 4 groups of RCA
Output: 2 groups of RCA
Tube complement: 2 x 2A3, 1 x EL34, 3 x 6SN7, 3 x 6922
Dimensions (L x W x H): 14.5 x 17.3 x 7.9 inch
Net weight: 18kg  / 40lbs - shipping 49lbs



 

[evan1]

tempting

[Tubeburner]

For the amount of money you want to spend, try the little Dared SL2000A. Change the rectifier to a Sylvania or Mullard and roll tubes to your liking. I owned one and the little preamp beat many expensive preamps. Reacts well to tube rolling.

[Mariusz]

I can forward contact info for those who are interested.

The unit is not even a year old. I was the original owner then sold it to my buddy who thought it is going to be his last preamp. Now........after hearing my Isabella/Isabellina preamp he finally made up his mind.......sold most of his unused gear and bought fully loaded Isabella ($6000). It took Isabella to replace this preamp.........that is a high  prize in itself.
He was going to save it for his son but I am sure that he needs money since I decided to help him build his dream speakers. He also sold his Emeralds lately and decided to go with Single Driver design.

PM if interested

[JeffBrown]

That will get you a nOrh ACA2b new.  This is a very nice preamp.  I bought mine used, oddly enough unseen, from a pawnshop.  I enjoyed it enough to write a review for Affordable Audio.  While I am a reviewer for Affordable Audio I never intended to use this product as a review reference.  Once I had it I liked the simply wonderful tone so well it has stuck in my review system ever since.  It is a darling little piece of equipment with one of the simplest nicest sounding circuits I have seen.  Were it not for the lack of remote control, it might just be ideal.  I have challenged some of the local dealers to find me something nicer for under a grand to no avail!

The current price is $290 US Dollars plus shipping from www.norh.com

Check out the review at www.affordableaudio.org.

[Bill Baker]

In that price range, you may also want to c heck out the Ming-Da MC-7.

[Jeff M]

You might find just a basic "OK" preamp for that, but not a "really good mint" one for that price . Maybe an older run-of-the-mill, lesser model ARC or similar.

[S Clark]

Keep your eyes open for a used Dodd.  The older models might come up in your price range.

[Jampot]

Are you in the EU then, Mildead?

I have a Dodd pre in UK I may be tempted to part with - but it isn't 220 - 240v so you would need a step down transformer.

PM me if interested.

Jim

[richidoo]

Make sure it has low output impedance especially if you are driving a SS amp with low input impedance (<20kOhm.) The nohr has 10kOhm Zout    <500 Ohms is preferred.

If your power amps make 26dB gain or more, be careful that the new preamp doesn't have too much gain. Aim for about 40-45dB total between preamp and power amp. That will allow the preamp volume control to have a good swing before getting too loud, and more importantly keep the hiss from your low priced tube preamp from being audible at the listening chair.

I second the minimax, I own one of the modified versions by the importer Morningstar Audio (fellow Ac'er Bill O'Connell,) and I love it.

A good friend just bought Mapletree Line 2A-SE, and he is very happy with it, driving SS amps. LE version is even cheaper at $600 new.

I have a Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp with a couple upgrades that you can have for $450. Rectifier diodes and output caps are upgraded. 20dB gain, 200Ohm output impedance. Sounds great.
Rich

[mildead]

Hello to all who have answered. A lot of thaks to all, sincerelly. I did not expect such a reply.

As I've found several little cheap SS integrated and power amps -mainly on the class D range-, that sound wonderfully, I think I could find any tube preamp to match them. I follow the task...

Thanks again.

Mildead