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Best budget preamp for Aragon 8008bb and Thiel 3.6

I am rounding out my "new to me" system. So far I have Thiel CS3.6's. For this very hard to drive speaker pair I have an Aragon 8008bb on order. Next are the preamp and source. The vintage and costs of the previous on the used market should give you some idea of where I am price wise.

I am not particularly interested in looks or bells and whistles. Sound is what counts. I once called myself a "connoiseur of the most for the least". Well, that's not quite true, but if I can get it done for less my wife is happy, and when my wife is happy I feel like a King!

I once again turn myself to those more expert than I (that means you)!

Thank you for any ideas you may have on a preamp for me,
Ron
starsandseas

Showing 3 responses by czbbcl

czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I used a cj PV-10 (tubed pre)with my 3.6's before moving on to a premier 16 and liked it very much. It was mated to a carver m500t and later a cj mf2500a.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Unlike power amp tubes pre-amp tubes last a long time and are inexpensive ($10-$15 a piece). I replace mine every 3-4 years. CJ's web site I believe mentions 5 years with what they deem as normal play time about 20 hours per week. I have heard of people going 10 years on pre-amp tubes.

The PV-10 line stage has two tubes one per channel.

That price is very consistant with what I see them listed for and they sell rather quickly.

I would highly recommend this pre-amp it really works well with the Thiels. You can always sell it and never lose a cent on it if you don't like it.

Chuck
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Don't know; never heard the bottlehead unit. If you are into kits then that might be a way to go. The cj performed very well in my system (so much so that I went further up the cj food chain). And at the price point of the PV-10 you can get your money out of it if you don't like it. The bottlehead is questionable if you buy it build it and don't like it you will probably lose money on it.

The tubes on the PV-10 are easy to change and are inexpensive. Just take the top cover off and there they are in all their glory. You can also play around with different tubes (called tube rolling) to get a different sonic signiture (fun).

(IMO) The Thiels really sound nice with a tubed pre and ss amp combination.
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