[Vulcan00]

I have a question for you gentlemen. opps and Ladies?

If you were going to pair a AVA pre-amp with a SS power amp ( Parasound A51). Which AVA pre-amps would you choose? I wish to limit this to a Tube Pre-amp please:

Pre-Amp                  Best Quality
AvaStar
EC Ultra
T8         

Thank You for your Opinions
Harrison     

[martyo]

With the Parasound I'd get the T8. (Of course I also have a T8)The slight euphonic, dare I say warmth, should be a welcome match with the amp.

[charmerci]

What I would do is get the Avastar if you don't listen to any old recordings which need tone controls. Otherwise, I'd do Ultra EC - since I love the old jazz recordings. If I felt my system was a bit harsh, metallic, whatever, (sorry for not using audio terms) then I'd "soften" it up a bit with a T8.

[Vulcan00]

After reading my initial post I felt I needed to convey my intention little better.

I have been interested for awhile now in experiencing tube sound in my system. I felt that I would start by adding a Tube preamp to mate with my Parasound A51 SS power amp. After awhile I would then most likely add Tube Power amp or hybrid amp to mate with the tube pre, unless the tube pre/ SS power amp combination resulted in my last stop.

Since I already am aware of the AVA equipment’s outstanding quality, sound, and bargain, I was after some of the Van Alstine owner’s opinions as to the pre-amp's match with my existing equipment. So that is the reasoning for the “Best Quality” heading. I was hoping for a short answer to the best advantage in sound mated with my amp such as dynamics, Deeper Soundstage, Harmonics, Transparency, ETC. This not an opinion of the individual products but rather an opinion on the unit's strengths which is a best match with my equipment and possible future equipment purchases.

Thanks

[Vulcan00]

Man ya'll are hitting right on my dilemma.

martyo: I first was inclined to go for a T8 because I thought it would reflect the tube sound more..... But......

charmerci: In my set-up the sound has been very very very rarely harsh or fatiguing. I also enjoy Jazz however I listen to most all genres with the exception of Rap.

The problem is that although in the last month with addition of room treatments few other things the sound has never been better to me. But the thing is now nearly anything I do the sound never changes. I have changed and compared few sources and a  DAC but the sound (on individual CD )never seems to alter? It sounds the same now, with any change I do? Does this sound strange or does it mean I just can’t hear anymore because I'm an "old Fart" losing my hearing?

[charmerci]

Well then what I would do is get the best one according to Frank, the Avastar then listen for a while and if doesn't sound better - return it.

But I'd wait to see what others say - there are a lot of pretty smart, knowledgeable people here. I am in awe of the collective (audio) intelligence here.

[Charles Calkins]

I sent mt T7ECR  pre to frank for upgrade to the AvaStar pre. Great phono section. No tone controls. Personally I never used tone controls on the T7ECR. I sure like what I hear playing vinyl. Everything else also. My amp is a Mac 352.

                                          Cheers
                                         Charlie

[ArthurDent]

Some pretty sharp horns on that dilemma you've got there Vulcan00. I'm not one of those knowledgeable folks charmerci speaks of, but I'd probably 2nd his suggestion based on Charles C's experience.  From there the Ultra is very similar to the T-8 soundwise, just more refined for lack of a better term, with more features.  I speak from having both.  Happy hunting, from another aging 'oF'.

[Vulcan00]

Can the T8 have the EC wired option?

So Mr. Dent you have both. Question please. Does the T8 have more of a Tube sound? Is the T8 better alround for old and new recordings In Your opinion? I would expect the Ultra to be a bit faster in its pace to music? does the Ultra have more of a solid state sound or a tube sound?

[mchuckp]

I was running my Salk Songtowers (ribbon tweeter version) with an Emotiva USP-1 preamp and AVA 240 SS amp.  I replaced my Emo with a T8+.  The difference was pretty major.  Not sure if it is the tubes, better AVA design, or both but I have zero regret in making the investment.  I've decided to add more tubes to my chain and have an Ultravalve on order.  I'm very interested in hearing the difference to see if I think it is too "tubey".  My gut says I will like the combo.

Going from the Emo to the T8+, I pretty much felt EVERYTHING improved.  I felt there was better separation in the imaging & more organic in the presentation.

Frank does offer a 30 day return policy if you find something isn't to your liking.  I can't give you good insight on if you should choose something besides the T8.  As for tone controls, I don't miss them.  I'm more of a purist in my sound and like the path of least resistance. 

Not sure where you are located but any chance you could make it to AK Fest in Detroit?  Frank will have a plethora of gear to hear.  I'll be flying in from OR.  Can't wait.

[Vulcan00]

I have forgotten when is AK Fest?

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I have a Parasound Halo A21 amp and paired it with the Ultra Hybrid preamp and the Ultra hybrid DAC.  I did an in home audition with the T-8 preamp and DAC.  The Hybrid gave me faster, deeper bass and greater transparency and a wider sound stage than the T-8.  I found the highs to be just a bit rolloed off with the T-8. The Ultra is not quite as tubey in sound though but it is not SS either.  I just upgraded the preamp tubes to NOS Mazda/Brimar 6CG7 tubes at 80pr and the sound is more tubey over all.  My speakers are Magnepan QR 1.6's.

I hope this helps some, PM me if you want more info or want to talk more about it.

Larry

[ArthurDent]

I don't believe the T-8 has the wiring options, only whether you get the Phono, tape buffers, and remote.

As to my opinion on 'tubeyness', that's a tough call. I updated my old system: Hafler DH-110 pre (factory SS), and Hafler DH200 (home built) a little over 2 years ago after 20+ years of no changes. The old pre was nice, but had a bad solder that over the years dropped a channel more & more frequently which precluded critical listening. It was replaced with the T-8. As noted by others, I didn't miss the 'tone control' availability, simply wasn't a factor. It is warm and engaging, detailed, and smooth.

The update process went from that noted above to replacement of the T-8 with the Ultra EC pre. I felt the Ultra was probably as you note quicker, a little blacker background, somewhat more detailed/wider-deeper soundstage. For my best guess I'd say it's sound is more tube than SS, but that's not based on wide experience with any good SS pre-s. It's been a while since the Ultra was swapped in, and with that noted, I'd say the differences were like daybreak to sunrise rather than night & day.

As I have yet to set up my old TT, speaking strictly to CDs, I think they both handle old & new recordings well, the T-8 may be a tad more forgiving of the older pressings. Depending on where you are located mchuckp's suggestion, or even a post inquiring if anyone in your area has either unit for an audition would be a worthwhile effort. Folks here are pretty generous & open to sharing their systems with those curious about what a given piece may present soundwise.

One last piece of the puzzle if I may- I'm running a Sony CD mega changer in one system, swapped out another mega for a 5 disk Denon in the other (too hard to remember & find a given disk), if you aren't running an external DAC for your source (and of course it depends on the source) it's a piece you may well want to consider. Now that made a day & night difference in the systems with both the T-8 & Ultra pres.

Not sure how much this may help, but there it is. I think I.Greyhoud Fan's info may be a better answer. Note that I did look for the noted 6GC7 tubes, but found none currently available. I'll have to get with Frank on that upgrade as I'm impressed with the several reviews, and mod like martyo or live w/o the cover. Sorry for rambling on, but feel any opinion I give should be in context of the source.

[Listens2tubes]

If the T8 sounds anything less than excellent then said preamp has the wrong tubes in it. My T8+ is sporting vintage telefunken ECC88's which trumped amperex bugle boys for their top to bottom coherence. There are soaring sweet highs, full natural mids and the bass impact the BB's were a bit shy on. Nothing rolled off here! 

[Vulcan00]

Listen2tubes:  Are your telefunkens a matched pair? Or is that not esentual in the T8?

[Listens2tubes]

Yes they are well matched sectional pairs. I always test and try to find near perfect matched section tubes when such resources are available. This does not mean I know Frank's design needs as such, only Frank can answer that.