Choice of preamplifier: help

Ckoffend, I think you're right about my lack of tolerance for excessive tubeness. I never tried AR equipment, despite a number of Quad aficionados told me AR is a great match with this speaker. I am also seriously considering hte new EAR. The 890 is just spectacular...if the 868 is in the same league the combination might be just stunning. It's just a bit more expensive ($6K+ with the phono stage). Finally, the guy who sold me the 890 tried a number of preamps with it and claims he obtained the best results with Shindo equipment. It's quite expensive and hard to find second hand, but it might be worth a try.

Based on your comments on the CJ preamp, I would strongly recommend looking into both/either the Calypso and/or the AR preamps (as also referenced by AudioFeil). Both of these preamps will deliver more detail and resolution than you will typically get with the CJ. They both will be a bit less "tube" sounding, but at the same time having an excellent balance of being musical without too much softness. In my system and many other systems that I have heard these preamps in, they impart just the right amount of "tubeness" without allowing the music to become "mushy". In my opinion (ie. my preference) the result is a very good balance. But for the record, I would take extra detail and resolution over extra warmth.

After a few listening sessions, I can say that I prefer my Klyne to the CT6. The CT6 is a very good preamp, but I found it to be less brilliant and detailed than the Klyne is. The sonic difference between these two preamps is huge. I guess in the end it's a matter of personal taste. I am looking into the new EAR, but I am also considering the new Klyne 7 series.

Pre-owned ARC LS-25 Mk.II are selling for around $3K and should be a serious consideration.

I own the CT6 and Quad 63’s. Amplification is 2 Music Reference RM10’s in mono block. I’m not familiar with your amp, but I think CJ and Quad in general are a very nice match-up. If you end up getting the CT6, do yourself a favor and try some NOS Siemens or Amperex tubes. They take the CT6 to another level.

hi, have you tried the new EAR preamp to go with your amp? i love that amp, btw....

Add the Art Audio Gill Alana to the list. Tube midrange with greater dynamics.

Blessings, Bob

The new Parasound

Check out the Dodd battery-powered preamp. Good review on 10audio.com. It's really something, and quite the bargain, too. Cheers,
Spencer

I just went to a dealer and took home a CJ CT-6 for a test. My first impression is quite good. It is less punchy than my Klyne, but it looks a tiny bit more musical...I don't know. I will try it more and with different types of music and let you know. Thanks

I would add the Aesthetix Calypso to your batch. It offers very good detail and resolution (better than most tubed preamps that I have heard/owned) yet is an excellent unit for tube rolling. It offers excellent spatial characteristics and is very musical without being mushy. I suggest doing a bit of a search in the forums as it has received lots of extremely positive feedback and is typically being compared against preamps in the $7,000 - $10,000 range, which is indicative of just how good it is. New it is within your price range, used you could save quite a bit. Others I would add to your list would be AR Ref. 3 or Ref 2 (used to get closer to your range). Any of these would be preamps that you can hold on to for many, many years. The Calypso will be a bit more detailed and resolving that the CJ. The CAT, I hear, is a very good preamp (based on comments by another member particularly that I have learned to have a lot of faith in and respect for).