I have an SLP-98 F1 it is a very fine pre-amp. It does everything you want a tube pre-amp to do. But let me give you a budget choice. A Quicksilver preamp. I haven't upgraded the tubes yet but it really is fine with the stock tubes. $1500 USD. It might be 2nd compared to the Cary but maybe not, it's really quite good.
Considering a New Tube Pre-amp
I have used a Quad QC-24 pre-amp for thirteen years. Designed by Tim deParavicini, it isn't bad. But recently, and just for fun, I got out a pre-amp I bought some thirty years ago, cleaned it up and tried it out - a Copland CTA-301 MkII. It seems clearer with much tighter control of bass, and it looks like it's staying in place, at least for now.
But you know how these things go, it has raised doubts. Made me think that there is obviously room for pre-amp improvement. I wish to stay with a tube pre-amp, and I don't need a phono section as I have a separate phono stage, so I've been thinking about the following:
1. Cary SLP-98L. I've had good experiences in the past with Cary's now-defunct kit division, Audio Electronic Supply. I had their PH-1, AE-3 (both Dennis Had editions), SE-811 monoblocks and SixPacs. Downside, they have almost no dealers anymore and don't offer a warranty for international sales other than a dealer warranty (and they have undercut all their dealers who have dropped the brand).
2. Atma-Sphere MP-3. No personal experience here, but everyone says wonderful things. My power amps don't have balanced inputs, and only my CD/SACD player has a balanced output, so I'd have to order one with RCAs, losing one of the main advantages.
3. A wild card - the Manley NeoClassic 300B pre-amp. The most expensive and hard to find many reviews. But one still dreams of 300B sound....
One problem is that these are all US-made, and I may have to wait until the tariffs are withdrawn. I'll have to save up anyway as I'm now retired and the days of wasteful spending in hi-fi are in the past.
What do you think if you have experience of any of these pre-amps?
17 responses Add your response
Go with the WILD CARD choice :-) I own Manely Labs’s Jumbo Shrimp line stage and their Phono Pre amp the Manley Labs Chinook for 10 years. I chose the Jumbo Shrimp over many other fine pre amps from McIntosh,BAT,Modwright, Audible Illusions. Evanna Manley has all the tubes you could ever need, all NOS JAN and others ,no need to go searching around unless you really want to. The company is fantastic and the service/tube department are awesome to deal with. The Manley products impart a special magic that is hard to put into words, for me it just sounds warm natural and very engaging with plenty of PRAT (pace rhythm timing), and great dynamics! TUBES RULE
Matt M |
Ever consider the Luxman CL-38uC? All tube (8), remote (volume and mute only), balanced input, tape loop, switchable tone (with 3 turnover settings each), balance, mono switch and very low output impedance. It does have an excellent MM/MC (with SUTs) phono stage, however. A gorgeous, user friendly design and that walnut wood case! At $6000 USD, Art Dudley considers it to be one of his favorites and an exceptional value. And there’s always Luxman’s exceptional build quality and service. It’s made in Japan so tariffs shouldn’t be an issue for you. Happy listening! |
I'm in Canada, and would consider a used item. Budget is elastic, could go up to CDN10k, though would likely delay purchase the higher the cost. Whilst I enjoy tube sound, I don't like it to be overly warm and mellifluous. The Copland has shown me how much the Quad QC-24 indulges in such, and I'm currently enjoying it. But it is thirty odd years old and I expect it could be bettered. My wallet and my memories of the AES products makes me like the idea of the Cary, but I suspect the Atma-Sphere is the one that will make me happiest. |
I was pointed to the fact that the last two new-in-box Wyetech Ruby STD pre-amps are being sold for one third their asking price at the time their maker passed away in 2022. So I've put a deposit on one. https://www.wyetechlabs.com/sites/default/files/reviews/ruby-std-review-tone-audio-no-75.pdf And of course, it has been discussed here: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/wyetech-labs-ruby-std-preamp-any-views |
I'll probably raise some hackles but as nice as the Cary SLP-98 is, natural and musical, it's also thick and sluggish. Consider Tubes4HiFi SP-14. This is based on the open-source "Aikido" circuit--four 6SN7s arranged in a noise cancellation circuit that is far more transparent and lively than the Cary. Even better, try to find a used version built by Don Sachs, who has moved on to Spatial Audio Lab. |
I think people are either confused or naive about the latest tariffs immediately effecting prices. If product is already here on the ground/in stock/at a dealer etc. it definitely is not impacted by a tariff price increase (though I'm sure many manufacturers will jump on the oppty to convince buyers that somehow it has been. Same thing with cars, furniture - everything else. If it's already here then it's not impacted. |
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The Atma MP-3 is my current daily driver. I’ve owned a number of preamps and the MP-3 is the one I like the best. I bought it used at 3.3 level and sent it back to Ralph for a checkup and to install the remote volume. He’s great to deal with and very knowledgeable. As to your need for single ended inputs, you can use both of the Tape Ins as inputs, and the XLR inputs do just fine with quality XLR to RCA adapters. No input switching on the remote, but that’s not an issue for my usage. It’s probably my last preamp. Units I’ve really enjoyed in the past and are less expensive: Modwright LS100 (Dan is also great to work with), Don Sachs Model 2 (Don was always helpful but I believe he’s mostly retired now), Decware CSP-3 (sweet sounding but limited inputs and no remote), and lastly, the one I’ve kept as a spare for my MP-3, the LTA MZ2. It’s crazy how good it is for $1,100. I’ve never heard the MZ3 or the MicroZotl; they’re supposed to be even better, albeit for more money. So many really good choices in your price range. Best of luck with your search! |
