[Tyson]

I'm thinking about moving back to a tube based preamp and was hoping to get some recs.  I have a couple of requirements:

1.  Remote volume and source switching
2.  Tube Based
3.  Makes "average" quality recordings sound better (not worse).

Point 3 is particularly important - I have no interest in preamps that "reveal how bad recordings are".  I'll gladly sacrifice such "transparency" for tonal richness.

I'd like to keep the budget under $2k.

I'm thinking about having a custom Aikido built for me, and using remote volume and switching modules.  Downside is I've never heard it, so I am not sure if it can meet point #3 or not.

Second option buying something like a Modwright 9.0SE or Signature.

Third option is ???? What is recommended?

[Big Red Machine]

Talk to Bill at Response and inquire about the Purity line.

[whubbard]

Well...
Let me push for my preamp. The Aspen GK-1. I've found that it does actually 'improve' the recordings, and is wonderful to use with my Orions, which certainly don't alter the recordings. The Orions just present whats there, which is exactly what I want from my speakers. I've tried the GK-1 with the Tubes bypassed, and Hugh (the designer) really
Go over and look around the Aspen Circle, and I think you'll find that the GK-1 (Well actually the Soraya, which is the prebuilt, remote volume & switching version) is exactly what your looking for.

-West

[rpf]

Talk to Bill at Response and inquire about the Purity line.

Second that, and if you go for a Modwright 9.0 definitely get the Signature.

[JoshK]

I think you might get more bang for your buck with the Aikido, but it'd have virtually no resell value.  Unfortunate about a lot of DIY.  If it was near professionally built, it would have more than none, but still not like the others.   

There are a lot of diy'ers in the Denver area, surely someone you know might have one you could hear.  I know some diy'ers that have compared the Aikido with big boys and thought the Aikido was better, but that is typical of "I built it" mentality.  I think if built with an excellent power supply the topology has a lot more potential then a lot of commercial stuff.  My $.02.   I've not heard mine yet.

One note.  With the Aikido, which is unique to the Aikido is that it was built for tube rolling.  You can roll in even completely different types of tubes if you go with the noval boards, 12AU7, 6CG7 (6SN7 in 9pin), 6922, 6H30pi, 6N6p, and on and on.   You can pick the gain tube to suit your tastes, even the recording if you like.

The input tube is the gain stage which controls most of the sound and the output tube is the heavy lifting that makes sure the output impedance is low to drive even brute solid state amps.

[Tyson]

The Aikido was my first choice, but talking with someone here that had one, they basically said "my good recordings sounded great with it, my average recordings sounded terrible".  And when I went to DIYaudio.com and read the comments, they seemed to be in line with "very clean and clear, lets you hear how bad most CD's are recorded".  That's the opposite direction that I want to go in.

One other thing that occurred to me, and I think I might pursue, is my headphone amp, a Singlepower Supra, can be configured to be a preamp.  I just need to have some jacks added w/switching, and a remote volume option added. 

[CSI]

Two suggestions: EE Minimax (available for reasonable $ used) and Cary SLP 03 (more $ but a bargain considering its performance IMHO).

[zybar]

Tyson,

I know that you wanted a tubed preamp recommendation, but I wanted to mention the Plinius M8 preamp.  I was originally going try a few different tube preamps and see what it did for my system, but I was given the opportunity to try the M8 and I am glad I took it.  The M8 does exactly what you are looking for when it comes to item #3 on your list.  It really improved the overall sound and more importantly, my overall enjoyment of my system.

After I got hooked on the M8 and purchased it, I had a friend bring over his Audio Research Ref III tubed preamp and we both felt that the M8 was the preamp we wanted to listen to in my system.  While the Ref III had a little better bass, the M8's mid-range and overall presentation were superior.

They don't come up that often, but you should definitely be able to get a M8 for under $2k used.

George

[JoshK]

The Aikido was my first choice, but talking with someone here that had one, they basically said "my good recordings sounded great with it, my average recordings sounded terrible".  And when I went to DIYaudio.com and read the comments, they seemed to be in line with "very clean and clear, lets you hear how bad most CD's are recorded".  That's the opposite direction that I want to go in.

Use an all 12AU7 and you get the necessary *color* that makes recordings a little smoother.  The 12AU7 is about the last tube I'd ever use for anything, but in this case it might do the trick since the Aikido cancels a lot of distortion, but it won't cancel all, and 12AU7 has got lots. 

[toobluvr]

JuicyMusic!

Peach for line stage only;  Blueberry for line + phono.
You can get either for well under your budget.

Gen 1 has no remote, so make sure to get Gen 2.  Remote does volume, but I'm not sure about source switching.  I have never seen a Gen 2 on the used market, and rarely see Gen 1's.......probably testament to how well-liked they are.

I have the Gen 1 Blueberry Xtreme w MM and MC sections, and this thing just makes music!  Do the research...you will see.  Great tone and richly musical.  Presentation is full warm and liquid with great space and a colorful sonic landscape populated by dense 3-D images.  Definitely colorful, but not colored in the vintage lush, dark and slow manner.   It is still sufficiently transparent and fleet of foot to really rock and boogie.

I have owned it for several years now and it has stood the test of time.  Many guys have visited and inserted their pres into my system, and I have done wth same with the BB into theirs.  Most of the competition has greater brand recognition, greater accolades in the press, and much higher price tags.  But to my ears, the BB holds its own with all and beats most.  It replaced a $4200 preamp in my system.  I love it and consider it a tremendous value.

Shame that the economy is forcing Mark Deneen to hang it up, but he still promises to keep supporting units in the field.

http://juicymusicaudio.com/

Look into it.  You will be listening to music once it enters your system.

 

Good luck in your search.

~ John

[Tyson]

Thanks for all the suggestions, great stuff so far.  The Juicy Music in particular has piqued my interest, along w/the Mapletree 2A SE. 

Anyone heard both of these units?

[cujobob]

I own a MAD Line 2A SE and love it...great preamp!  However...the lack of remote and source switching (via remote) are something to keep in mind.  You can often find the Dodd Reference Preamp for under $2K used and I'll be honest...I want one bad.  Runs on batteries, has a remote, and looks amazing.

[toobluvr]

I own a MAD Line 2A SE and love it...great preamp!  However...the lack of remote and source switching (via remote) are something to keep in mind.  You can often find the Dodd Reference Preamp for under $2K used and I'll be honest...I want one bad.  Runs on batteries, has a remote, and looks amazing.

FWIW.....

direct comparison of Blueberry and Dodd preamps here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=32799.60quote

Just the ramblings of two terminally addicted AC members!
(no offense, Mariusz)

 

[doug s.]

w/remote:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1241016798&/Melos-Sha-Gold-guarantee-to-wo
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1242658078&/Melos-SHA-Gold-Preamp/Headphon


w/o remote, but cheap enough that you can add something like a used placette rvs:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1241920780&/Melos-111-B-tube-pre-amp


these will make everything sound good, imo.

doug s.

[toobluvr]

A JuicyMusic Peach 2 just sold today on AG for $1000.

First day of the ad and only a handful of views >>>>>>>  shows the desireability of
these pieces. 

For that price, I'm hard pressed to think of another line stage that offers all the flexibility and features of the Peach, plus the sublime musicality.

Sorry to come across like a shill for JM.  I'm just a satisfied customer who thinks they sound great and are VG value.

[wilsynet]

I've owned a Modwright SWL 9.0SE and thought it was excellent.  But it doesn't meet your criteria -- you want both remote volume *and* remote source switching, and the Modwright only does remote volume.  You'll also want to pick yourself up a pair of NOS tubes, the Tung Sol 5867 I recall being quite good.

I didn't care for the tube rectifier option, a bit too euphonic for my taste.

Dan is a great guy to deal with, and if you're looking, there are a couple of these for sale on Audiogon right now.