Any High End Tube Preamps with *gasp tone controls?

So the OTL was too forward. Fatiguing. Turned my LPs into CDs.

The end of the story is that I bought a used Ayon Crossfire III. File this under "you get what you pay for". Higher power SET is the answer to all my problems. All the bass I could need. Expensive but totally worth it, even before the NOS tubes have arrived. 

LUXMAN!

https://luxmanamerica.com/product/cl-1000/

Oof. 

Any opinions on C22 v SP-3A-1 v Model 7?

I'd like to lean away from the one that would be considered "softest"

When you say “high end”, I unsure exactly what level you are looking at. The best unit I am aware of is the AVM PA8.3 preamp. You customize the design by choosing the cards you want included and it has both tube as SS output choices and tone controls. Most configurations put it in the $20k to $25k range and it is quite fairly priced in terms of what it delivers from a sound quality perspective. You would find it competitive with VAC or other preamps in that price range in terms of quality.

full disclosure, I am an AVM dealer. Not just trying to shill my products.  As you can see, the list of products with tone controls is not long.  

I'm replacing a Lamm LL 2.1 and don't want to spend too much more than that, so I'm a bit below the AVM configuration you mention. Is there a more bare bones config? I'm vinyl only.

My Luxman tone controls are outstanding.

Which one do you use? I'm trying to get my tube tech to let me borrow his CL35 III. I read that the CL34 might be the best sounding, though.

McIntosh MX 110Z in the house. This thing loves Jazz. Tone controls are nice but maybe not at the most useful frequency? I saw something about that on an another post. The loudness is pretty useless. Just bloats everything out. But Jazz is wonderful sounding...

Next week Luxman CL35 III.

I tried a Loki Mini last night and it muddled up everything in my setup. I'm trying to get ahold of a Max.

I think that there's a range of bass (right?) and some music I'm used to hearing bass with, I'm not hearing with the MX110. I think that's because the bass is at a certain frequency (or range) that isn't boosted when turn the bass knob. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. 

I wish I understood why certain components sound good with particular genres. I know it's a thing. Someone smarter will have to explain why.

Great article. I'm going to try one out since Schitt offers a 15 day trial.

Yes. They are actually 96dB. Pretty efficient. It's not the wattage that's the issue. It's the new rebuild of the amp and choice of tubes that have created a tone I really like but it's left me a bit bass shy... bass I had before with other configurations..

I'm just trying to make it sound as good as it can. No real plan regarding vintage. If I had the space, I would be buying the Lamm tube amps. I know those work perfectly. Bass to die for. 3D imaging. Just awesome. They pop up used from time to time but when ever I'm about to pull the trigger, I realize our small loft is just too small for two large chassis.

I need that ATC-7!

Maybe not now- possibly as a retirement gift in a few years. Guessing they never pop up used....

Just popped in a Luxman CL35 MK III. Great bass but really cold vocals and the highs weren't delicate at all. Popped in some Telefunken 12AX7s from on of my other preamps and it's sounding WAY better. 

Looking forward to a long audition.

CL35 out. Back to the Lamm and trying out an OTL Luxman MQ-36 amplifier. Very intriguing.

MQ-36 with the Lamm beats all the other combos. It doesn't require any tone controls. Great match with my speakers! Never heard an OTL amp other than a unsuccessful week with a Futterman 20 years ago. This is a great turn of events...