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Thinking about a getting a tube pre-amp.Some background: I recently got a pair of B&W Matrix 805s, replacing my CDM2SEs. The 805s are much faster, more dynamic and airy. They also image much better. But I do miss my the darker sound (some may say veiled) of my CDM2SEs.
I thought maybe a tube pre-amp might be the way to go. I am currently powering the speakers with a Musical Fidelity XA-1 integrated, but will be receiving a Musical Fidelity A3Cr within a few days and therefore am in the market for a pre-amp.
I want to enter the realm of tubes. Any ideas? I've been thinking Cary, Blue Circle, Conrad Johnson. What's a good value, especially a good used value?
I listen to all sorts of music but I tend to prefer a meaty (some might say darker) sound. What would be awesome is if I can keep the same level of dynamicism and air but just thicker (no other word I can think of!) I suspect my new amp will help, since more power will help the 805s realize their potential, but I also suspect that the pre-amp choice will be very important.
Oh yeah, my source is a Sony XA20ES. I love the tranport and I am killing myself for not looking harder for an European model (has co-axial) when I bought it. After the pre-amp, a DAC or new CD player is next.
Any suggestions/pointers would be much appreciated.
- yen
Follow Ups:
Agree that you should get the A3cr pre-amp. There is a great synergy between the MF products. I'm using a A3cr pre-amp with the MF A300cr power amp (the 225 wpc big brother to the A3 power amp) and am just floored every time I listen.
Take a look at the AVA Transcendance 6 and Transcendance 7 hybrid preamps. You will get the tube midrange you crave while retaining SS' advantages in the bass and drive departments.FWIW, I own an AVA FET-Valve hybrid preamp, which is the Transcendance 7's precursor. I'm VERY satisfied.
BTW, if tube rush (hiss) is in fact an issue, selected low noise figure tubes correct the problem.
Eli D.
I'm using a Music Reference pre with and A3CR in one system and it's fine. It's in a bedroom and I don't notice any hiss unless I put my head right up to the speakers. You will have a hard time finding a used one of these, IMO. If you do it should be under 500.Still, you may be better off with a Musical Fidelity Pre. I think they're upgrading the A3CR pre and it should be great. I have the old A3CR pre driving the A3CR power amp in another system and it's excellent except for the phono which is merely good.
I have to say, the A3CR power amp is not the greatest power house powering my PSB strats golds. It is a transparent, refined amp with a laid back, classical perspective. Oh, it has dynamics, etc., but just not enough for some speakers. If you can biamp your speakers, you might consider getting two.
I had A3CR before and tried several different tube preamps including Rogue 66, Rogue 99, and Cary 2002. Even though the overall sound is good with the tube preamps, This amp picks up too much hiss. Unless your listening room is large, the hiss will be bothersome. I think the input impedence of this amp is much lower than the specs. I also tried a passive preamp and the dynamics was greatly reduced.
My recommendation is that just go with a A3CR preamp or find a tube friendly SS amp or a tube amp.Happy Listening.
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