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Tube pre amp

73.173.151.186
Posted on January 4, 2018 at 11:02:10
Kindablue
Audiophile

Posts: 1072
Joined: August 7, 2003
 What would be your suggestion on a decent tube amp? Say 800 - 1000 dollars not firm. Something vintage or something more recent no kits anymore. Figure this would be the forum to get some good ideas
Thanks,
Kindablue

 

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RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 4, 2018 at 11:40:35
BillWojo
Audiophile

Posts: 186
Location: NJ
Joined: July 7, 2017
 For a little bit more you can get a VTA preamp completely built. I have the SP-9 that I picked up used and it was a nice jump up in SQ. I'm sure others will chime in as well.

BillWojo

 

If you can find one...Music Reference RM5, posted on January 4, 2018 at 11:41:27
ghost of olddude55
Audiophile

Posts: 32567
Joined: July 14, 2017
 Hand built in the USA.
I've got one, paid about $700 for it. Sweet sound, uses three easy-to-find tubes (either 6922s or 6DJ8s), you can record from one source while listening to another if that floats your boat. Internal dip switches for adjustable gain. Later incarnations had a CD input and switched the phone stage tubes off when only the gain stage was in use.
Roger Modjeski of Music Reference answers emails promptly and politely.
Problem is, people who have them don't want to sell them, so you would have to be patient.



The blissful counterstroke-a considerable new message.

 

Love the other suggestions, to which I would add....., posted on January 4, 2018 at 12:08:05
viridian
 .....Audible Illusions Modulus 2B, 2C or 2D, MFA Magus, Conrad-Johnson PV-5, PV-10, Paragon 1 and E, Juicy Music, Wright Audio, Rappaport Pre 1, Precision Fidelity C7A and C8.....

 

Not easy to find, but you might look for a VTL Ultimate..., posted on January 4, 2018 at 12:16:37
David S.
Audiophile

Posts: 3552
Location: Mountains of WNC
Joined: August 31, 2000
 Have one myself. NOT giving it up.

In the day? Was rated right up along the ARC SP10 or SP11 and similar.

Mine? Will just say that tubes in the line stage section tend to be good for a decade or longer. I've not put much use on the phono stage tubes (mine is MM vs MC) - so can't vouch for that bit.

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 4, 2018 at 12:30:03
mpcrnc@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Joined: July 3, 2002
 Try a Berning TF-10 for about 600-800 or a Berning TF 12 (has remote control) for 1200 . Very reliable and easy on tubes. Mike

 

Awesome ideas, but almost as hard to find as my VTL suggestion..., posted on January 4, 2018 at 12:37:59
David S.
Audiophile

Posts: 3552
Location: Mountains of WNC
Joined: August 31, 2000
 Just sayin' - I keep my eye out for Berning products all the time. Almost never see the preamps. SOMETIMES see a ZH-270, but always for very big money.

GREAT gear!

 

But not tube, hybrid preamps, like my C8 suggestion below....., posted on January 4, 2018 at 12:43:19
viridian
 ......having owned all of them my heart is with the first version of the TF-10 with 10 tubes, the 8 tube version is meh.

 

Schiit Freya, posted on January 4, 2018 at 12:53:03
Charlie8521
Audiophile

Posts: 914
Location: South East Michigan
Joined: October 2, 2004
 Its tube, new, remote controlled, positive reviews, 15 day return policy, for $699. See link below. They also have a Saga. Always a big bang for the buck with those guys. Questions, what is the rest of your system? You don't want the pre to be either a weak link or an over kill in your system. And do you need a phono stage? I sold my two vintage units to get something new because I needed a remote volume control.

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 4, 2018 at 13:19:33
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 I use this Quicksilver. It is a true bargain. Point to point wiring all tube. It is very basic, no mono or balance controls. Made in USA!

 

RE: But not tube, hybrid preamps, like my C8 suggestion below....., posted on January 4, 2018 at 13:53:39
mpcrnc@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Joined: July 3, 2002
 Recently a TF 10 sold on asylum trader for 600 . This was about 3 weeks ago. One has also been on usa audiomart for a little more. The TF 10 preamps do not sell very quickly. Older amps like the ea 230 sell very fast. If you look around they appear fairly frequently. Mike.

 

very Cool, thank you for the info. nt, posted on January 4, 2018 at 14:03:59
viridian
 Nt

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 4, 2018 at 16:40:40
Kindablue
Audiophile

Posts: 1072
Joined: August 7, 2003
 Thanks now I got some research to do.

 

Been very happy with an Audio Research Corporation SP3A for many years..., posted on January 4, 2018 at 16:47:04
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31878
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 if you can find one.

Mine has had a few mods.

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

+1, posted on January 4, 2018 at 18:33:36
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 That would be a good tube preamp to get.

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 4, 2018 at 20:23:41
niws
Audiophile

Posts: 790
Location: Northeast
Joined: September 4, 2003
 I second the Quicksilver. I have been using one for many years. I have also owned the Berning TF-10 that is mentioned below but I like the Quicksilver a little better.

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 4, 2018 at 23:07:06
RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

You could try the Audio Note M Zero or M-One (look the same) - the M-One has been the preamp stage in my OTO integrated for the last 15 years. But as a separate it has its own power supply so will sound better than than the OTO. They sold for about $1k in 2000 and you will have to pay $1,000 today to get one.

There is a remote control version and non remote version I believe.

I really liked Melody Valve Audio Preamp I heard at $7500 but have not heard the lower models - but it may be worth investigating because if it's in the ballpark sound wise then they're very rich and big with lots of tone. It won't be for everyone but I loved what I heard for the price even at $7500.

If you are familiar with Lampizator the big DAC maker - he took apart the M-Zero (the model down from the M-one) and investigated the parts quality and the sound quality of the Zero. I am looking for one for a bedroom system because I actually like the look of these than their newer amps.

 

RE: But not tube, hybrid preamps, like my C8 suggestion below....., posted on January 5, 2018 at 04:05:38
mpcrnc@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Joined: July 3, 2002
 Another thought if you are interested in Berning equipment. Linear Tube Audio is manufacturing Berning electronics and they have a preamp that is very reasonably priced and used units seem to be coming to market now. Mike

 

Transcendent Audio Grounded Grid, posted on January 5, 2018 at 05:42:53
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 There's one in the classifieds. I've always here good things about these but never had one myself.

 

The Saga is first rate (nt), posted on January 5, 2018 at 05:48:12
msa
Audiophile

Posts: 677
Location: Northeast
Joined: November 1, 2002
 nt

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 5, 2018 at 07:54:49
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005
 What are your other system components, what kind of sound do you like?

I have had or heard a number of the preamps mentioned and they are all over the map regarding how they sound, strengths, weaknesses etc. They are all good preamps, that in some systems and persons preferences would range from love to hate.

 

RE: Not easy to find, but you might look for a VTL Ultimate..., posted on January 5, 2018 at 08:04:04
jaynemo
Audiophile

Posts: 1881
Location: Connecticut
Joined: February 7, 2003
 Putting my Deluxe and Compact 80's back in service, almost done completing a second system based around a pair of German Physiks Borderland Mark 1 speakers I just restored. Not sure if the Compact 80's have enough power for the GP's

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 5, 2018 at 08:30:55
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 If you pick up those V4's, I'd certainly strongly consider the Quicksilver pre-amp mentioned already.

 

ARC ST-8, posted on January 5, 2018 at 11:57:44
George S. Roland
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Location: N W Pennsylvania
Joined: March 20, 2004
 If you want phono, I would recommend this tube preamp. Very nice unit I have used for years.

ARC supports its legacy products superbly in my experience.

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 5, 2018 at 13:06:03
gordguide
Audiophile

Posts: 302
Joined: January 20, 2002
 You can get a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 or Anthem Pre1 for about $US 500 used.

The Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 is usually more than $US 1K, but it's an outstanding two-box vacuum state preamp; Stereophile Class A when current.

Parts Connexion services all three if necessary.

The Assemblage kits generally sell for more today than their new MSRP. If you can find one, don't hesitate to buy the 300B stereo amp; sold for $1100 20 years ago, and more than that used today.

You could also look at an assembled Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp. Well within your budget.

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 6, 2018 at 20:36:12
sberger
Audiophile

Posts: 3433
Location: no. california
Joined: October 25, 2002
Contributor
  Since: April 3, 2008
 Used Decware CSP2 should be right in your budget(the latest CSP3 is about $1300). Simple, point to point wiring, tube rectification, made here in the USA. Also an excellent headphone amp.

 

RE: Tube pre amp--transcendant sound grounded grid, posted on January 6, 2018 at 21:15:27
kenzo
Audiophile

Posts: 955
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 27, 2003
 I will eat my hat if you don't absolutely love it.
there were a couple available on the bay a few days ago, don't see them there often.

And I believe it may be possible to buy them now pre-built from Mr. Rozenblit.

I have two, a scratch built and I built the kit. For the scratch built I seperated out the power supply into different case.

But it was a lot of work, I don't recommend scratch built...

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 7, 2018 at 18:02:48
lactogenes
Audiophile

Posts: 104
Joined: May 3, 2016
 Check the attached link for vacuum Tube Labs, their prices range from 1,090 for the SP-9 (which I owned) to 1,350 for the SP-14. Outstanding sounding linestages

 

RE: Schiit Freya, posted on January 8, 2018 at 03:52:18
Lou S
Audiophile

Posts: 3164
Location: Ohio
Joined: February 26, 2001
 The Freya is better than my Coda 05r and AR LS15, both modified, no mods to Freya, don't open the Freya up unless you are good at reassembling tedious items, getting the leds in place is real fun.
Best Regards,

Lou

 

NOS Tubes help a lot!!! nt, posted on January 9, 2018 at 17:57:43
scruffy_
Audiophile

Posts: 1665
Location: Los Angeles
Joined: August 5, 2005
 nt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Humility is the true mark of genius. Just get used to it."
-Anonymous

 

My choice of tubes for clasical, posted on January 14, 2018 at 14:03:55
scruffy_
Audiophile

Posts: 1665
Location: Los Angeles
Joined: August 5, 2005
 If you listen to lots of classical with vocals these are excellent. I use 6SN7GT - VT-231 JAN Sylvania, blackplate clearglass, bottom getter in the gain stage of my preamp and RCA Smoked Glass VT-231 in the output stage. If you listen primary classical, I highly recommend this combo. I would probably not use this combo for rock music.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Humility is the true mark of genius. Just get used to it."
-Anonymous

 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on January 15, 2018 at 08:54:12
cpmavrick
Audiophile

Posts: 91
Location: Florida
Joined: January 23, 2012
 I really enjoy mine

 

RE: Schiit Freya, posted on November 28, 2020 at 20:16:11
Adam O
Audiophile

Posts: 188
Joined: September 26, 1999
 Thanks, Lou. My Coda 05r is long gone, but I have ordered the Freya +. Hope all is well with you.
Adam O


 

RE: Tube pre amp, posted on November 28, 2020 at 20:22:30
BillWojo
Audiophile

Posts: 186
Location: NJ
Joined: July 7, 2017
 While researching if you come across an Audio Research SP3, SP6 or SP8 that you can afford, check it out. They just keep climbing in price though.
Using an SP8 MKII and love it.

BillWojo

 

RE: Schiit Freya, posted on November 28, 2020 at 21:21:34
immatthewj
 Feanor bought a Schitt Freya & reviewed it on this forum not long ago.

He seemed quite pleased.

Looks like it's going for $895 now.

https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-1

 

I have a Freya + but find 'Passive' is best for Classical, posted on November 29, 2020 at 12:10:56
Feanor
Audiophile

Posts: 9864
Location: London, Ontario
Joined: June 17, 2003
Contributor
  Since: March 12, 2004
 Just me perhaps but I find transparency is best using 'Passive' mode. Tubes, (Tung Sol), are nice with Jazz, though.

BTW, the Freya + is $899, not $699. The solid state Freya S was $599 but is now discontinued.



Dmitri Shostakovich

 

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