Vinyl Asylum

• Re: "IF" I decided to replace my Classe SSP-30 preamp with a tubed preamp.... - keldasdad 12:34:12 07/16/06 (0)
  In Reply to: "IF" I decided to replace my Classe SSP-30 preamp with a tubed preamp.... posted by Dr. Drib on July 16, 2006 at 04:18:09:

  I'd check out the Audio Mirror line. The manufacturer currently has 2 on Audiogon for sale direct, both with ($799) and without ($699) a phono stage. I have the line stage-which I actually bought used for $450-and couldn't recommend it more highly. It is not one of those romantic tube units (Which I'm not sure are so prevelant anymore), but is astonishingly accurate. In fact I have a couple of professional musician friends who are not particularly audio oriented but commented (Unsolicited-they didn't know I had acquired a new preamp.) about the tonal accuracy of the Audio Mirror, suggesting that my system now reproduced music closer to the real thing than any they had ever heard. It's quite small in size, but is a real giant killer. Sorry, but I can't offer any comparison to the Classe.
  
  

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• Why must it be a tubed unit? - kenster 11:07:17 07/16/06 (2)
  In Reply to: "IF" I decided to replace my Classe SSP-30 preamp with a tubed preamp.... posted by Dr. Drib on July 16, 2006 at 04:18:09:

  
  Anytime U can get away from AC is a major step up. Consider a passive preamp....either resistive or an autoformer.

  Please don't infer that I am against tubes....I have tubed units in both of my systems but being that the preamp is very critical to the systems overall voicing, one must choose very wisely.

  One other consideration, what power cord are U using on the Classe?

  ~kenster
  
  

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  • I am using a solid state buffered passive preamp, and tube phono stage and amps. - tubesforever 22:29:16 07/16/06 (0)
    In Reply to: Why must it be a tubed unit? posted by kenster on July 16, 2006 at 11:07:17:

    I agree with you that a tube preamp may not be the ultimate product to produce the most realistic or life-like sound. I have found most phono preamps to make the sound less engaging. Heck even my favorite, the Precision Fidelity C7 and C7A had purely passive line stages and a great phono section that really kicks!

    
    
    

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  • I've never had a tubed unit in my system - Dr. Drib 16:04:40 07/16/06 (0)
    In Reply to: Why must it be a tubed unit? posted by kenster on July 16, 2006 at 11:07:17:

    I'm using the standard power cord that came with the Classe. I like my Classe, but I still keep wondering how the overall synergy would be changed and how it would sound in my system.

    
    
    

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• Why do you think you may "want" to replace it? - Garth 09:03:03 07/16/06 (1)
  In Reply to: "IF" I decided to replace my Classe SSP-30 preamp with a tubed preamp.... posted by Dr. Drib on July 16, 2006 at 04:18:09:

  Don, we all have those urges and I don't want to sound like a spoiler of fun, it is a hobby don't forget, but I really wonder why you may want a tube preamp. I have heard several Classe units over the years and found them to be quite good. There may be better but I doubt they would necessarily be tubed.

  Cheers!
  
  
  

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  • The rational part of my mind totally agrees with you.. - Dr. Drib 16:06:40 07/16/06 (0)
    In Reply to: Why do you think you may "want" to replace it? posted by Garth on July 16, 2006 at 09:03:03:

    ..while the emotional is wondering how the sound would change.
    
    

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• I like my Rogue Metis pre a lot. - HenryH 04:32:09 07/16/06 (0)
  In Reply to: "IF" I decided to replace my Classe SSP-30 preamp with a tubed preamp.... posted by Dr. Drib on July 16, 2006 at 04:18:09:

  It retails for $995 ($1095 with remote). It is a clean-sounding preamp, with a lot of drive and dynamics. Plus, it basically has the MM section of the Rogue Stealth as a phono stage. There also are CD and two Aux inputs. It's gotten great reviews from TAS and SoundStage.
  It uses a pair of 6SN7 tubes in the line stage.

  
  Henry

  A 12-gauge shotgun is the ultimate arbiter of disputes - G. Gordon Liddy
  
  

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