Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Electronic Supply AE-3 Preamplifier (Tube) by bullethead

Model:	AE-3
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$717.00
Description:	Very simple tubed (6SN7) pre-amp
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Electronic Supply
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Electronic Supply

Review by bullethead ( A ) on November 05, 2006 at 17:58:45
IP Address: 71.251.2.125

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for the AE-3

So I decided to take the plunge into the world of Tubes. After conversations with members of the Audio Asylum I was directed towards Audio Electronic Supply. A company owned by Cary Electronics that supplies affordable tube equipment for the budding audiophile. Keeping in mind my budget was around $800 for a tube based preamp, I went with the AES AE-3 Tube preamp to connect to a Dussun v6i amplifier. After months of listening I decided to write a quick review on my thoughts of the preamplifier and how well it connects to a solid state amplifier such as the Dussun v6i.
Sounds: The AES AE-3 uses standard 6SN7 tubes. There are plenty of them around being produced new and also there are tons of 6SN7 NOS (New old Stock) laying around on e-bay and the internet. I decided to go with a neutral sounding tube called Electro Harmonix for my experiments and also for my day to day system. The sound is quick and detailed. The airy qualities and the what I would call "attack" that is the quickness of the music was astonishing. I haven't heard a tube based system in such an environment before.
Let me get to the system.
I use a Dussun v6i amplifier (really an integrated amp that does 150wpc into 8ohms but with the preamp bypassed), a SlimDevices Squeezebox v3, a Musical Fidelity A3 cd player all connected to a Bel Canto DAC2. The system is driven by pure digital sources. AudioQuest interconnects and Gutwire powercords are used for the system connections. Adding in the AES AE-3 immediately brought a sense of as I say "quickness" which I haven't heard from the solid state realm which I was used to.
Playing various experimental . Jazz. and Doom metal tracks I have come to the conclusion that this preamp adds to the body and soul of the music like no solid state preamp or solid state integrated amplifier can accomplish from my experience. The smoothness and delicate nature of the recordings came through without a sense of struggle.
I would indeed recommend pairing the AES AE-3 preamplifier with a solid state amplifier.

Product Weakness: No second line out for subwoofer(s)
Product Strengths: Excellent Smoothness, Airy quality, quick response, the music seems to flow through without delay

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Dussun v6i
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	AES AE-3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Slimdevices SqueezeBox v3, Musical Fidelity A3, BelCanto DAC2
Speakers:	Audes Excellence 1
Cables/Interconnects:	AudioQuest/Analysis Plus/Gutwire
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Experimental/Jazz/Doom Metal
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 15 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Basement system
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Power Power Conditioner
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	No second line out for subwoofer(s)
Product Strengths:	Excellent Smoothness, Airy quality, quick response, the music seems to flow through without delay