Check out Aric Audio. He has 6sn7 tube preamps at several price points. There is one used up for sale here on AG.
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@knik thank you for the response. I have had my eyes on a Cary for a while as a possibility. I currently have the Schiit Freya and I’m thinking although it’s nice and adds some flavors (passive, gain stage and tube) it doesn’t really sound like tubes and I’m thinking I could do better. I’ll keep an eye out for a used Cary! Thanks a lot |
@poketacez I would add Cary SLP98 to your list. The combination of the Cary with some Svlvania 6SN7s and Pass XA25 sounds great. I much prefered it to the Rogue RP-5 with the Pass in my system. Used SLP98s can be easily found for less than 2k That said, is there anything specific you are looking to improve in your system's sound?
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I know this is an older thread but I am also an XA-25 owner and considering some different options for preampfification. I have a Schiit Freya + with stock tubes. I like the combination but I have a nagging suspicion I’m not maxing out the potential of the pass. However I want to keep costs realistic and avoid spending more on the pre than the power amp. Remote controls are important too. Any recommendations on matching/synergy? So far contenders are:
Rogue RH5, RP5 Vintage ARC or Conrad Johnson tube pre Luminous Axiom II passive pre Appreciate any first hand experience and recommendations! |
@knik, the Rogue is actually very full in my system. Compared to the XP12? The 12 was very focused, pinpoint really. Not in a bad way. Overall sound stage was great, but center focus was tight. The Rogue is focused as well, but in a different way, not as pinpoint. Wider soundstage, and seemingly deeper as well. Low mids are rounded, and full to me. Again, less punchy. However, overall “slam” is very good. Keep in mind, this is the only tube preamp I’ve tried with the XA25, but for now, it’s a keeper. I need to stop with the crazy for a bit! |
@geof3 How do you like the Rogue RP5 and Pass XA25 combo vs your Pass XP12 combo? Does the tube preamp improve on the Pass preamp in yoir system? Asking cause I had the Rogue RP5 running into the Pass XA25 and I felt that my system sounded too lean; the midbass punch was missing. I swapped the Rogue RP5 for a Cary SLP98 and then the Cary SLP05 and both the Cary preamps added the missing warmth and midbass punch. |
@jjss49 Good question. The ET5 and ET7S2 are cut from the same cloth but the ET7S2 has little bit more of everything that the ET5 has. A little smoother, dynamic, and cleaner. So, the sound opens up and just seems more natural. It is more engaging. It takes time to hear the different but it is there. I will keep the ET7S2. We can talk off line if you want to dig in deeper. My system or maybe my collection: speakers - Penaudio Serenade Signatures, Penaudio Cenya Signatures, Penaudio Sara S, Penaudio Charisma/Chara. Amps: CJ Classic 120SE, CJ CAV 45S2, Herron Audio M1As, Resolution Audio M100s, Pass XA25, Wadia 151. Preamp: CJ ET7S2. Source: Resolution Audio Cantata Music Center 3.0, Innuos ZenMk III. Cables: Black Cat Setsuna ICs and Black Cat Lupo III speaker wires. Graitech power cords. Blue Circle power line conditioner. To avoid more of the "threadjack" we can also talk about the trial and error off line. I gave up vinyl may years ago when we had small kids. I do miss vinyl. |
@cellorover i am curious to have you describe the sonic difference between the cj et5 and the newer et7-2 you have experienced... i currently have the et-5 (and an older prem 16 ls2 too), i had a gat for almost a year a while back, but i felt it was a little too edgy/forward for my taste, after much tube rolling to tone it down a touch - for me the et5 lives at a very good middle ground between the old cj honey colored soft bass/treble sound to the thoroughly modern ’details in your face’ sound... also, if you don’t mind, pls tell us the rest of your system (i checked your ’details’ did not see a system listed) @geof3 - apologies for the minor threadjack ... |
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