Balanced Line Stage Tube Preamps

I would avoid it for the use of 6 (six!!) 12AU7’s alone. 6SN7 is a better sounding tube. I would however expect it to sound more "tubey" than the Rogue RP7, because of the latter’s MOSFET output stage.

The older Rogue high-end 6H30 preamps Athena and Hera shouldn’t be ignored if you want a change from your RP series Rogue. Those were all-tube designs, had a far sweeter sound IMO, and the only downsides were the clunky remote volume control and too much gain on the Hera II (Athena and Hera I had normal gain levels). They’re usually hugely discounted from MSRP when they show up on used markets now. I still keep an Athena for backup because I like it, and I have an ARC Ref 6 and VAC Master here too.

@mulveling Thanks for the tip! I’m off to check out the used market.

Look for a used Zesto Leto Ultra.    Awesome gear.  I have the original Leto and love it.   It has everything you are looking for and more 

 2 transformer coupled XLR inputs and outputs. 3 RCA in and Two RCA out.  

And don't forget the Backert Rhumba.  Lots of input/output connections, and super-easy tube rolling.

If you are looking at a balanced line tube preamp, its helpful to ask if the preamp supports AES48. If the manufacturer does not know, that likely means 'no'.

One advantage of going balanced (properly) is that you no longer have to buy expensive cables to make it sound right. The cables will all sound the same and no going back to single ended.

What preamp are you using now, and what sound characteristics/improvements are you looking for?

@atmasphere Will set check for AES compliance & hope to find within my b@twoleftears Never heard of it, glad to know there are several candidates. @soix  now ready to move up from SCHIIT Freya+, my first tube pre since analog-only days. Pretty sweet with the right tubes, but having heard the good stuff, just a question of what I can justify,

The EAR-Yoshino 868L, designed by tube expert Tim de Paravicini. Two unbalanced outputs on RCA’s, two balanced (AES48 complaint---Paravicini did a lot of work in pro studios, including Pink Floyd’s London facility, as well as the MoFi mastering chain) on XLR’s via TdP’s renown transformers. The 868 will drive multiple 600 ohm loads; try that with your ARC pre-amp ;-) .

For some not-so-mysterious reason, follow-the-leader audiophile sheep ignore EAR-Yoshino. Not Art Dudley, who lusted after the 912 pre-amp, the 868’s big brother.

@bdp24 Another one I know nothing about. Research time, thanks.

Aesthetix Calypso is a tried and true design that has held its own for over a decade now.  

Fo most people the End to preamp searches usually ends with the MP-1 Fully Loaded Atma-Sphere.

+1 Zesto Audio Leto

I have the EAR Yoshino 534 power amp teamed with an Aesthetix Calyso pre. What a revelation and the Calypso has 5 balanced and RCA inputs

I have compared EAR Yoshino 912 with Atma Sphere MP-3 and MP-1 in my system and have prefered Atma Sphere. 

+1 Aesthetic Calypso. I have the Signature.

Aesthetic, Backert , Zesto, Audio Research. You can’t go wrong on this preaamps, my favorite is the Backert because of its musicality on the system I’ve heard.

If you can afford it, you can’t go wrong with Audio Research.

All the best.

JD

@jayctoy & others who mentioned the Backert line, I'm growing fascinated. Apparently they welcome questions by phone, so will be calling to clear up details left murky by online product info. Surprised they have so many dealers & I'm eager to listen Thanks for the tip!

@hickamore The Backert achieves its balanced line operation by the use of an output transformer. If you are going to use tubes to drive a balanced line, to my knowledge there are only two ways: an output transformer or a direct-coupled technique patented a little over 20 years ago.

@curiousjim "ARC if you can afford it": this much I've known since c. 1978, and could be I'll wind up with the LS28 if the right deal is out there (REF series would require a total system upgrade). Rogue RP-9 uses the same tubes, price is $2500 less new. Wish I could hear them alongside, which at Overture I guess I could. Trouble is, those guys never reply to inquiries.
@atmasphere Figured as much. Your critique of ARC LS28SE/Rogue RP-9 welcome if offered. I admire your Mk3 but need silver and a remote.

Your critique of ARC LS28SE/Rogue RP-9 welcome if offered.

@hickamore ARC has never supported AES48. So that means to get the most out of them you have to audition cables and be careful about ground loops. This isn't any different from using a single-ended preamp. I'm not sure of the Rogue, but it appears to have single-ended outputs in tandem with the balanced outputs and there's no switch involved so this suggests that it does not support the standard either. In both cases this says nothing about the 'sound' of the preamp, just that you have to be careful about cables and ground loops, neither of which should be a thing with balance operation.

FWIW remote and silver front panels are available for our MP-3.

@atmasphere Appreciate the helpful clarifications. To date I have had success with XLR cables and avoiding ground loops (using other tube equipment). In any event, information gleaned here helps me quickly narrow my search range.

All reviews I have read of the MP-3 says you DON"T offer silver or remotes! A recent development? The other limitation is lack of RCA inputs, which would require modification or replacement of analog source components. Guess I would also be concerned about the number and variety of tubes used, as reliability and ease of replacement are important factors for part-time dilettantes of my stripe.

@hickamore Andy Tebbe is extremely responsive and easy to talk to, and will answer all your questions.

@twoleftears Good to know! Will prepare my list before calling. 

All reviews I have read of the MP-3 says you DON"T offer silver or remotes! A recent development? The other limitation is lack of RCA inputs,

@hickamore Silver has been available for about 10 years or so. The remote probably about 6-7 years. The preamp is equipped with two RCA inputs (Monitor 1 and Monitor 2) for a total of five inputs.

@atmasphere Hope you enlightened the reviewers who are telling readers you don't have features that you clearly do have (not that I noticed on website). If tape monitor inputs function just the same as any other RCAs, then that wouldn't be a problem, thanks.

@steakster Silver/remote was just clarified without a phone call, see above. Otherwise, I will gladly call any mfr or dealer whose product interests me enough to inquire further. Thanks to suggestions here plus online reading, that list has now been culled to 4 or 5.

@bdp24 

I absolutely love my EAR 868. Clearly Art Dudley has good taste.  :)    For me it is all about and only about the sound.  EAR Yoshino delivers in spades. 

If you are looking around on the used market I would look for a sonic frontier line three or a  BAT the higher up the food chain the better. 

Me too @phcollie! I do wish it included a balance control and mode switch, then I could get rid of my ARC LS-1.