I have some relevant experience with some the pre's and your amp. I ran the Luxman M900u for a couple of years - - very nice amp, but I definitely thought it benefited from partnering with a tube preamp; otherwise it was a little too "gossamer" for my system and tastes. When I bought the amp, I was using the PS Audio BHK preamp, but I bought the amp with the C900u. The C900u clearly showed me that there was a good bit more to be had than the BHK was giving me in terms of musical information. I sold the BHK and haven't look back on that. But over the longer haul the C900u with the M900u just didn't light my fire, sounding a bit thin and "see through" (I run TAD CR-1 speakers, which do need some warming to shine right). Then I tried an ARC Ref 40 and I found this to be a synergistic combo, bringing a "fleshier" sense to the music. Just my experience, and YMMV.
Best Tube PreAmp - McIntosh vs. Audio Research vs. VAC vs. Atma-Sphere
I’m in the market for a Stereo Tube Preamplifier for around $5k-8k in a used market. The reason I want a Tube PreAmp is because I love listening to Male Vocals with smooth velvety sound of Tube.
I will eventually be integrating it into a HT setup. When I’d Parasound Halo A51 5-channel Amp, I typically listened to Music 30% & watched movies 70% of the time. You never know but the % might change after I get the Tube PreAmp.
Source: Oppo BDP-105, Nakamichi RX-505 tape deck
Amplifier: Luxman m900u
Speakers: Tyler Acoustics Linbrook System II Floorstanding (89db, 8 ohms)
My question to you is which PreAmp would you recommend & why? I would prefer feedback from someone who has done some sort of comparison with atleast two of the following or similar type of PreAmps. I understand more you spend, more you get for your money. But I would prefer to stay at the lower spectrum of my price range than the higher.
- McIntosh C2600 / C2700
- Audio Research Reference 6 / 6SE / 40th Anniversary
- Atma-Sphere MP1 / MP3
- VAC Signature / Rennaisance / any other model
- Cary Audio SLP-05 / any other model
- PS Audio BHK Signature
- Allnic L-9000 / L-7000
Later on the plan is to build a HT system & will add Amp for surrounds & center.