Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Tubes Asylum

BEST (Vint) Stereo Tube pre ckt for thick and rich sound ?

97.80.252.199

hi all. what are some opinions on best vintage tube preamp ckts (1950s-60s, not modern) that give a lush, high in 2nd order harmonic sound (vs dull, or odd harmonics, or clean as in wont soft clip) that soft clips easily. this is for 2 channel preamp for audio (vs guitar, inst).

my tech and i have experimented w several CATHODDE FOLLOWER ckts. IMO , these are the opposite of the sound i want (not knocking it, but i want Thick, Rich and full of Soft Clip and Harmonix-these are relatively Clean). As well as non Feeback type units (similarly , not what i like).

Can someone point me as to what TYPE or specific ckt's are the opposite of the above and also opposite in behaviour (as noted above - thick, rich vs clean and wont soft clip).

Mostly this should be SIMPLE ckts (1-2 tubes) prob in White Papers or RCA Tube Manual from era noted above . Many crappy Pre's ive heard from Stereo Consoles (tube) do this well-but WHAT type (ckt) are they ? I am pretty sure they are not Feedback and Cathode Follower types.

Thanks for any help - i need EXPERIENCED assistance as its getting Expensive to guess>build>then "no thats not it".

Again-THANKS !!!

Follow Ups:

RE: BEST (Vint) Stereo Tube pre ckt for thick and rich sound ? - Frihed89 14:26:34 04/28/12 (1)
It's interesting when you say "vintage". As in how vintage? Before the advent of the Willimason circuit in 1946 or '47. Everything with tubes in it sounded pretty much like what you want, or worse. The Quad II came along in the early '50s (i think) and it represented another big sonic leap forward. (I think Williamson helped to design it.) But if you heard either the Quad II or any older Willimason design, you'd probably say that's what I want".
But, today, you can build either circuit with modern parts and it will sound a lot cleaner and more modern than it did 60-70 years ago, but still not up-to-date with the SOA.
So, do you mean 20's-40's vintage, '47-'55 vintage, '60s-70s?
The sound has been evolving due to early circuit revolutions and later, better parts and probably better test equipment, too.
But for really thick and slow, you have to go back to pre-Williamson, Quad II days.

Observe, don't think

Edits: 04/28/12
- RE: BEST (Vint) Stereo Tube pre ckt for thick and rich sound ? - philb1 13:20:45 04/29/12 (0)
  Yeah - i meant circa 1955-65. Some folks elsewhere and i have agreed that you can hear this sound in many LoFi units from this era (ex: Integrated Stereo amps by Silvertone, Lafayette, and Eico on the better end [a Williamson ckt i think]).
  
  I've never heard a 20's-40's unit (sounds interesting tho).
  
  Any tips on keeping a Modern Clone less clean? (i am using CarbComp, etc... someone suggested a "struggling" PS was part of the old units above)
  
  THANKS for the pointing out of 2 Ckt types (Quad II or Willaimson) !!!!
The Dynaco PAS-3X comes to mind. (nt) - JJ Triode 17:11:23 04/27/12 (0)
-t
RE: BEST (Vint) Stereo Tube pre ckt for thick and rich sound ? - Mechans 06:59:28 04/27/12 (1)
I don't know why the circuit sounds as rich as it does but early CJ preamps seem to have what you are after.
- Agreed - unclestu 17:58:52 04/27/12 (0)
  but not old enough.
  
  Stu
thick and rich & juicy sound ? - Interstage Tranny 18:30:18 04/26/12 (1)
For phono stage, thick and juicy is served best with active feedback RIAA EQ circuitry. For Aux In line stages, I agree that cathode follower stages can spoil the sweet character you are looking to obtain. For you, the simple plate follower is the way to go; cascaded stages. For a line out trick, feedback from each tube's plate back to it's grid, with a high value R, will add some fullness and bloom.

Early Fisher brass face integrateds, Lafayette KT-600 and KT-315 preamps plus Eico HF-85 preamp schematics should be sourced by you. I cherish the Eico HF-85 line stage. Previous to it, I totally enjoyed the fuller presentation of the Laf KT-600 line stage. The KT-600 used plate to grid feedback (resistor) within a few of the line stages and final output stage. The small line preamp KT-315 did as well but sounds leaner due to less stages(thus less additive feedback).

Concerning phono stages, some of the highly sought after phono preamps from early CJ and the very vintage Shure M65 have quite a following. Looking at their schemes, they both use a feedback R from cathode to cathode at the phono stage(in addition to the normal EQ feedback). This linearizing feedback R does add juiciness to the sonic mix. ENJOY !
- RE: thick and rich & juicy sound ? - philb1 19:08:13 04/26/12 (0)
  Wow---Thanks ! Good Info. Those are the Units i like (Eico is NICE)
  
  Yeah, i just got into an old Voice of Music schematic (VOM) my friend owns - it sorta has that sound (Model 1428, circa early 1960s - Tube Integrated). it uses 6eu7's like one of my preamps now does (that i dont like), but his VOM sounds great - gonna see about changing it around.
  
  Thanks Again !!!!!!

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.