Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp?

Posted by airtime (A) on June 26, 2014 at 06:30:53

PREAMP:
As I'm heading into semi retirement, aka cruising into my LAST stereo purchase.

I have a NAD C275BEE power amp that I really - REALLY do like. I use it with a simple volume pot, aka passive. And again I have NO complaints! It is my favorite SS setup.

However I was lusting over was Bottlheads new 300B based preamp. This may just be an academic question, but what or how would that work out as a preamp driving the NAD?

Would it bring more tube quaity sound into the picture?
Would it just be adding another unneeded gain stages?
Would I just be breaking even sonically?
WOuld it just be yet another stereo lust gone expensive?

AMP:
I was interested in Bob Latino's ST-70 kit. My most happiest audio time was when I had a ST-70 with Curcio upgraded driver board and a rebuilt PAS-3. Unfortunately I went too far upgrading - well you've heard that story before. End line I sold if off and moved on.

I already use, tube-wise, a Mike Samra rebuilt Sherwood S-5000 with the 7189 outputs. And again, I have NO issues with it's sound. It's a gem.

Would the EL-34 ST-70 just be a step sideways?
Would the ST-70 be a step back?
Or just an exercise is buying yet more unnecessary stereo gear?

charles

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Topic - Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - airtime 06:30:53 06/26/14 (24)

Final choice - airtime 06:34:36 07/01/14 (0)

Maaate, buy a buffer type of pre. - Timbo in Oz 23:49:28 06/30/14 (0)

Take care with matching - dvb 16:48:51 06/30/14 (0)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - andy evans 07:22:52 06/27/14 (6)

my sourse puts out about 2V - airtime 16:41:20 06/27/14 (3)

RE: my sourse puts out about 2V - Eli Duttman 16:47:08 06/29/14 (2)

Good advice - andy evans 16:00:47 06/30/14 (0)

Tail of two pots - airtime 06:21:34 06/30/14 (0)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - RPMac 08:15:14 06/27/14 (1)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - andy evans 13:23:22 06/27/14 (0)

+1 for the Bottlehead BeePre 300B - RPMac 14:37:13 06/26/14 (2)

RE: +1 for the Bottlehead BeePre 300B - mhardyman 15:57:19 06/26/14 (1)

RE: +1 for the Bottlehead BeePre 300B - RPMac 08:24:29 06/27/14 (0)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - AJ 14:10:46 06/26/14 (1)

Maybe the 300B or Transcendent grid - airtime 09:22:47 06/28/14 (0)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - mhardyman 11:32:04 06/26/14 (2)

You know - you're right - airtime 11:59:52 06/26/14 (1)

RE: You know - you're right - mhardyman 12:40:00 06/26/14 (0)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - fstein 09:32:56 06/26/14 (0)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - fstein 09:31:03 06/26/14 (0)

RE: Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp? - Mick Wolfe 09:22:09 06/26/14 (0)

OORRR - airtime 06:44:03 06/26/14 (2)

RE: OORRR - Mick Wolfe 09:58:22 06/26/14 (1)

RE: OORRR - airtime 11:48:22 06/26/14 (0)

Help choosing my last tube purchase - preamp or amp?

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