Beautiful Colored Tube Preamp ($10k budget) to Pair w/ Very Accurate Monitors (PSI A25M)
I'm helping a friend set up a dream home setup based around (4) PSI A25M powered speakers w (2) PSI A225M subwoofers. Prism Lyra2 D/A converters. I know the PSI sound and it's very pleasing for home listening and of course super detailed but I do want to provide some beautiful high end color /magic via a tube preamp which really adds a warmth to the sound. So curious what folks feel in the $10k range for a lot of that tube color and help warm up the very accurate PSI monitors some. Main source will be Tidal / streaming audio as well as a CDJ3000 DJ setup playing digital files. Having phono pre not essential - having a few inputs nice to easily switch between streaming and dj setup =] Maybe a manufacturer based in North America / US since based here and easier to deal w just in case any issues arise? But also not essential
hey right on what makes you keen on the 6SN7 preamp tubes? yes im producing music and use tube gear, definitely big on getting special nos tubes (always worked with proaudiotubes in the past) =] curious what modern manufacturers opt for, id guess they would go for the best available nos at the 10k price point heh but its no problem to order tubes separately
yeah the cary seems real cool |
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porchlight12 posts My vote would be for the Luxman CL-38uC. Complete with basic remote (volume and mute), full MM/MC phono pre with step-up transformers on the MC input, bass and treble controls with selectable turnover frequencies, a tape loop, and balanced inputs and output utilizing transformers , which, like using transformers on the MC input, is the best, lowest noise way to implement balanced on an all-tube circuit. It’s also very pretty, luxuriously touchable, and “only” $6k. Hard to match Luxy for build quality and longevity. |
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 |
I own 2 of the preamps mentioned above, the LTA Reference preamp and the Aric Audio Motherlode XL. Both preamps are fantastic. The 2 preamps are in separate systems so it's hard for me to give you a comparison. The Aric Audio preamps are custom made so you can change inputs/outputs or make changes to whatever you need so that's a big plus. |
