2. amps-preamps
  3. 1201501991

budget tube preamp dilema

hey guys, i am having a hard time choosing what to buy and will have a lil tax money to buy a budget tube preamp to replace my p.o.s dynaco pat4, my problem is my only source for know is a rega p2 w/shure m97x cartridge i have a nad pp2 phono pre into the dynaco out to a b&k st202 into vandersteen 2c1 via kimber 8tc biamped w audioquest g snake interconnects ,it is sweet but i need to try a tube pre
i would love to get a rogue metis but really cant afford more than $500-600 max, i am thinking about just buying a bellari vp129 for $200 but there is no expandability,there are a lot of three input linelevel tube preamps out there but i would have to use the nad pp2, and eventually i plan on adding a tuner & cd player as money allows but can only buy 1 piece at a time (moneys tight!)
what should i do? are there any other tube preamps w/ a phonostage and 2 line inputs i should consider?
thanks in advance!
analogfreeek

Showing 1 response by ponnie

ponnie
233 posts
 
I have owned an Audio Experience tube preamp Line stage and it's nice but needs some upgrades to get it to sound it's best. I sold it. I went to a CJ PV5. Wonderful but
it's old and may require a $400 upgrade. I sold it! I then purchased an Audio Research LS9. Nice, wonderful sound but only 6 db of gain. Not enough for my speakers. I sold it too. So I took a chance on a VanAlstine Super Pas 3si (very similar to a Super PAS 4(i or si)and the next version is the Transcendent 4. The Super PAS 3 I have (VA design not Dynaco) is one of the best preamps I have ever owned. For sure the best over the past 5 years. It immediately tightened up the bass, gave me a wonderful soundstage with very good depth and I simply love it.

I'm using the Super PAS 3si with a modified Dynaco ST 70, driving a pair of Magnepan MG12QR's, with an Oppo 980 w a Scott Nixon Tube DAC, A Rotel phono and DB Audio phono stage(s). My analog setup is a Systemdek IV with a Rega RB600 and Audio Technia OC9MLII. It's wonderful. I want a little more power but the ST70 is playing very well at the moment. I call this my ultimate budget system.

The Counterpoint is a real nice preamp and fit's into your budget. Many audiophiles like this unit. Check out ebay for the Trancedence 4 preamp. You won't be disappointed.
All the ones mentioned are cut from the same cloth with sound characteristics.
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