Beautiful Colored Tube Preamp ($10k budget) to Pair w/ Very Accurate Monitors (PSI A25M)

dejayos

I'd prefer a 6SN7 preamp tube personally. In addition to the CJ recommendation though, I'd look at: Aric Audio, Supratek, and the Don Sachas/Lynn Olson Raven preamp. I'd even reach out to Aric Kimball (Aric Audio), Don Sachs (Raven preamp, sold by Spatial Audio), and Mick Maloney (Supratek) to have a conversation. Aric Audio and Supratek make a bunch of preamps, they could lead you in the right direction on their products.

For transparency, I own an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp.....and Aric certainly can customize his preamps, and he has adjustable gain controls.

dejayos

There are generalities of course between 12AU7 family compared to the 6SN7, but here are mine; and I have both 12AU7 and 6SN7 systems in my collection. These are my own findings, others may disagree:

6SN7 - I find these tube components to be richer, fuller, smoother, sweeter, engaging, and a little (just a little) more relaxed with a large soundstage

12AU7 - These tubes are more holographic, precise, analytical, detailed, and dynamic

I own both, because they are generally different; and have their own place in my system....and can match better in different circumstances. In your case you requested help with a warmer presentation to smooth out your speakers, that would be the 6SN7 in my experience.

That is why I recommended Aric Audio, Supratek, and Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamps; their preamps are 6SN7 based (with some variations available). They all make state of the art (as much as tubes can be) preamps, are hand made point to point, EXTREMELY high quality components, and some (Aric Audio) can be customized to your taste if need be.....whether that is with different capacitors, tubes, or connections.

I personally own several Aric Audio components, so make of that what you will....personal bias for sure. Though I know of several people with Supratek and Don Sachs gear, who adore their equipment

dejayos

Congratulations on the new preamp, the Motherlode XL has been a revelation for me.....I never knew how much a great preamp could "make" as system. Aric had to do some customization on mine as well, to compensate for the 10k ohm input for my CODA S5.5 amplifier.

I can also highly recommend some upgraded 6SN7 tubes that work very well in the Motherlode XL: Tung-Sol 6SN7GT ($300 pair), Sylvania 6SN7WGA (VT-231) $250 pair, Sylvania "Bad Boy" 6SN7s ($200 to $250 pair), and the Linlai E-6SN7s $156 plus shipping from jjyaudio.com which is a very trustworthy source for Chinese made tubes.