$18k Tube preamp for large scale symphonies please

12-02-12: Cerrot
best preamp is NO preamp. Tthey all do something...
Cerrot (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

From my experience with NO to all types of preamps, it's a BIG POSITIVE if using the CORRECT active preamp.

Philipwu,

I was in your position shopping for a preamp. I demoed pre (Einstein, Shindo Vosne-Romanee, Doshi ...) for months, in most cases it was in unfamiliar systems and they all sounded excellent. I could live with any of them and finally settled on a VAC SigMKIIa.

The sound you desire can be achieved through tube rolling with a GOOD preamp. The VAC SigMKIIa is very sensitive to tube rolling. With stock tubes, sound is soft, round, a bit veiled ... IN GENERAL, if you want transparency, open, dynamics ... use German tubes. Full body, sweet ... British tubes and a combo of both, Amperex, Philip Hollland. I use German tubes and also upgrading the fuse will improve the sound dramatically.

I suggest purchase a pre with EASY tube rolling options and dial in the sound you desire. Another good pre is Atma MP-1. I never demo but recommened to me by trusted ears. 6sn7 based so easy to roll.

If you plan to use your pre with many different amps, get one with low output impedance. From my experience, the ability for a pre to drive an amp properly is most important for excellent complete sound.

Philipwu, I heard the Doshi with a Doshi modified tube amp and horn speakers. Speakers are 105+db and it was very quiet. Typical horn strengths, dynamic, transparency, detailed, resolution, imaging ... I did find the sound a bit thin, bright and too analytical for my taste.

I bought my Vac new and Doshi has similar retailed price. Unless one much prefers Doshi sound over Vac, IMO, Vac is better value. Doshi looks like a homemade DYI project, not balance design, no features and much fewer connectors and no remote.

I have a TRL amp and other stuff but no Dude. From my experience with TRL, you can't go wrong getting a Dude plus Paul is a pleasue to deal with.

I think you need to narrow the pool of pre with a list of requirements besides just sound.

My list was:
1. Output impedance
2. flexibility - tubes easy to roll and number of tubes. Once I had pre with 12 tubes and it was expensive and impossible to find 6MP of rare NOS. This requirement ruled out Einstein and Shindo.
3. features, number of input and output connectors, remote ... I only use XLR.
4. relative value to competition.
5. reputation of the company.
...

Pillipw, with some Tele and Siemens tubes, you will get all the air you need in a Vac Sig. Do you know the tubes in your demeo and power cord?

Yes BAT Rex is another excellent recommendation.

12-25-12: Charles1dad
Phillip,
Are you considering any solid state preamps as well?
Regards,
Charles1dad (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

That's the last thing he needs, more choices. LOL!!!

Charles1dad, I think most of us listen intensely. Now I'm wondering if he's barking up the wrong tree.

Philipwu, what systems are you demoing the pres? amp, speakers, cables ...? What ARC you find not good with orchestra music?

There are so many variables ... just using a wrong PC, tube, impedance mismatch between amp and pre ... could upset system synergy.

If we have the context of your demos, maybe we can offer some suggestions but I think ultimately you will need to find experienced local audiophiles to assist you.

BTW, VAC is out because no Balance volume control.

Good, a list will help you narrow down the pool of pre