Best Value Line Stage Tube Preamps?
Used Croft Acoustics preamps typically go pretty cheaply, good value, great sound. I find them very good, and even like their rather spartan, utility looks. By the way, new, Gene Rubin is your man now for all Croft, and I believe he can order about anything Glen makes, just might be a little waiting period for it. |
Given that very helpful clarification, what would be your optimal components for a balanced line electronic chain (source - preamp - amp)?Optimal? The sky is the limit... I prefer analog, and since all cartridges are balanced sources, I would probably choose a Technics turntable with a custom plinth, equipped with a Triplanar tonearm... Do you plan to replace the amplifier as well? |
Check out "Space Tech Labs". They have many different components and can even build custom if you want. The owner will answer any and all questions you have, even give you recommendations. Tube rolling is great because some of his preamps can take hundreds of different combinations. The one tube that make the biggest sonic difference in his design is the rectifier. Changing a single tube for rolling a totally different sound is nice. Another thing you notice with his design, he uses output tubes in his pre...el34 up to kt100. This give a big open sound. I run one of his balanced preamps into active ATC speakers. |
Given they are all multi-input, multi-output, balanced line stage tube preamps, what are sonic benefits of a serious Rogue RP-7 or Prima Luna EVO 400 vs. the $899 Schiit Freya Plus? FWIW none of these here support the balanced line standard. The standard was created to eliminate problems with ground loops and artifacts with interconnect cables. Not supporting the standard defeats this purpose! The standard is fairly simple: 1) pin 1 ground, pins 2 and 3 carry the signal 2) Ground is ignored and not used for anything but shielding! 3) the balanced device will be able to drive a low impedance load- typically 1000 ohms or so. These last two items are the meat of the standard. One myth about balanced operation is there is only a benefit with longer cables. While it is true that running balanced you can easily go 100 feet, you still get a benefit even if the cable is only six inches. Once you hear what a properly set up balanced system brings to the table you won't want to go back. |
Mofimadness: I DO have a new AI L3B. I am ecstatic about it. Check my other posts for assoc. equip. I had an older line stage ~ 25 years old. It developed a problem not able to be fixed. AI made me an offer to good to refuse for a new one & I bit because of my 20 year great experience. Only problem is they don’t make ‘em ‘til they sell ‘em, I had to wait 12 weeks to get it, but when it arrived.....WOW! Looks & sound. The outside appearance, w/lights is cool but the inside is almost beautiful, all point-to-point boards. I am a happy camper! |
Best Value Line Stage Tube Preamps?For me without a doubt, the Schiit Freya or if you handy the Elekit TU-8500 https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-1 https://cheaptubeaudio.blogspot.com/2015/03/review-elekit-tu-8500-full-function.html 5 pages to this one. Cheers George |
@ hickamore, Sorry about the late response The tubes that came with the Freya Plus were Tung-Sol 6SN7 as someone noted before. There were two options and I chose the Tung-Sol. I replaced them with General Electric GTB's from Canada. The Tung Sol sounded (in my system in my current very small room) like there were less dynamics, and there was less separation in the instruments. I have only changed the tubes approx 3 times. |
dsper, thanks for sharing. I gather that PL may not be the quite the workhorse as Rogue, and that tube rolling is needed to get the desired qualities. At least this should be easy (if costly!) with PL. I don't mind a bit of warmth in the mids and frankly expect it from tubes. There is always some point where analytical = unmusical, but different ears draw those lines in different places. Or even the same ears in different rooms or times of day/night. In my experience, almost any system can sound magical after 10pm on a non-holiday Sunday evening. Maybe it's time for a new thread on power supplies. |
FWIW, I own a PL Dialogue Premium preamp. It has been back twice for repairs. Had a bad capacitor within 90 days of purchasing it and some sort of a "circuit problem" about a year later. Both covered under warranty by Upscale but just the same.... In my setup, I can tube roll with the PM and hear the differences. Its sound is bold with upfront vocals. Sees to lack texture and nuance to me; is analytical. Thanks for listening, Dsper |
I own an original series Freya (landed on NOS GEs as my preferred tubes) for a few years and have had no issues with the sockets as anybody with a modicum of tube experience should know how to wiggle tubes out of an amp. Easy peasy. Mine has been dragged around to try in friend's systems including ones with some very pricey preamps, and it matched or bettered each and every one of 'em. Made in USA, a brilliant balanced preamp with multiple balanced and single ended ins and outs, and 3 operating modes...I don't know of anybody who makes a better sounding line stage preamp. |
No Millercarbon. The Pima Luna Evo 400 is strictly a preamp and does not include a power amp stage. Actually the new PrimaLuna line has all the gear named EVO XXX. There is an EVO 400, Amp, Preamp and Int. Amp. Kinda confusing. https://www.primaluna-usa.com/integrated-amplifiers https://www.primaluna-usa.com/preamplifiers https://www.primaluna-usa.com/power-amplifiers Even the DAC is an EVO 100. |
I, too, listen to Eva Cassidy via a new Audible Illusions line stage and it sounds GREAT. AI is an old line preamp, still made in Fla. They make as they sell ‘em. But a # are available used. When I first installed my first one used, some 15 years ago, I was blown away with the sound. I recently upgraded to a new one, it’s great‼️ |
Don't need integrated these days, but the product info is good to hold for the dreaded day when the component footprint must shrink along with its owner. Checking out the rest except ARC, which I already know, and whose company, like the few geniuses of my acquaintance still living, I will never deserve. |
I've ordered a Freya+, but they're backordered for now. I've heard one with a few different speakers and was blown away, especially with the tubes on ;) Another to consider, a little pricier but very well built, top notch...is the Finalé Prelude. It is hybrid...but I'm planning on auditioning one. Will only buy if it blows the Schiit out of the water. http://www.finaleaudio.com/prelude |
Inspire by Dennis Had MODEL LP-3.1 LINE STAGE PREAMP https://www.ebay.com/itm/STEREO-TUBE-PREAMPLIFIER-INSPIRE-by-DENNIS-HAD-MODEL-LP-3-1-LINE-STAGE-PREA... This should be a very good preamp if you can live RCAs; and frankly, I don't think one needs balanced for home audio. |
As far as tube sockets are concerned, it does matter if they are mounted directly to the circuit board or not. If so, then it is a matter of how much flexing will that circuit board take before trouble starts. In the case of the Prima Luna, I believe that first off there are no circuit boards to worry about in the first place, and the tube sockets are mounted directly to the steel chassis. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong. Point stands that there are certainly different levels of quality and engineering that should be taken into account. |
I’m listening to Eva Cassidy Best of....and saying to myself, I don’t want to change anything to mess this up. Tung Sols...Freya Plus. Thinking everything is well settled in after about 300 hours. I can’t give an expert opinion because what works in my system and in my room may not be good for anyone else and I will always consider myself a student. I have a temporary housemate who just walked in sat down and said "omg, I can feel her emotions" (Aint no Sunshine) Guess it passes the test. |
I find the Freya+ quite sturdy. It is said that the circuit board was made thicker compared to the original Freya. I believe it. The sockets seem to grip like any others I have had. In any event, if the sockets are a concern you can use socket extenders and avoid the issue entirely. As for tubes, the Freya+ used to ship with Tung-Sol tubes (which is what they were reviewed with) but now ships with cheaper JJ tubes. I have rolled and find the SQ to respond very well. Currently using Sylvania chrome domes in the gain positions with excellent results. Especially if you prefer (or like me must have) balanced outs the Freyas do very well at 1/5 the cost of the Rogue, for ex. But you will probably have to roll to see exactly what it can do. |
rickytickytwo, thanks. How much tube rolling have you done with the Freya Plus, and what did you think of the original stock tubes? Build quality would certainly be a key for the long haul, and I too have read that the big boys are built like farm tractors. On the other hand, at my age, how many Freyas or equivalent could I possibly wear out? |
