Considering a New Tube Pre-amp

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. 

Thanks for the thought! Someone else pointed out to me that there is a Canadian choice in the form of Mapletree - traditional design using 6SN7 tubes. Hard to find any reviews though as it is a tiny operation.

Unfortunately I don’t have experience with those preamps.  I started with Schiit Freya + and then moved up to a Supratek Chardonnay.  I highly recommend the Supratek.  Small company out of Australia. The Chardonnay is their least expensive preamp and it sounds wonderful.  Worth a try.

Those are different sounding preamps.  This depends on what specific sound characteristics and improvements you’re looking for. 

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

If you are in Canada, I would check out space tech labs, you can actually call them and Al the owner will recommend one of his many models that would work best for you.

I see what you mean about "his many models"!

Chris

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!

What improvements and sound characteristics are you looking for, what’s your budget, where do you live and are you looking for new or used?  

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

https://web.archive.org/web/20140111225544/http://thehighfidelityreport.com/wyetech-ruby-std-preamp-line-stage/

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. 

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!

The Wyetech Ruby STD should be here by the end of next week. I'll report back after it has run in.

Thank you all for your input.

Vinnie Rossi  Preamplifier   300B

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650195615-vinnie-rossi-lio-dht-preamp-with-headphone-amp-and-dac/

I've spent two months now with the Wyetech Ruby STD, and I have no regrets. I can't speak to imaging and soundstage as I have only one functional ear, so I don't hear stereo, but in terms of sound quality it does all I was hoping for. It is much less lush than the QC-24, and even makes the Copland seem a bit rich. It's not sterile, just neutral.

I owned the MP-3 for a time and was very pleased. I replaced it with a $ 12K line stage and then I also have a $ 18K phono stage which outperformed the MP-3 collectively. If you consider the quality of the phono stage the preamp is unbeatable in my experience at the asking price. Operate this preamp with the Atma OTLs as balanced and the combination is superb. I also own MA-1 amps.

A dealer for Atma-sphere, but owned the amps and preamp before becoming a dealer.

@russ69 I know we have crossed paths here with prior SLP 98 discussions. Just wondering what is your favorite tube combination for your SLP 98? I just picked up some Raytheon GTB's from 1950 and 52, put them in the rear slots to replace EH gold pins and was very pleased. Front slots have Sylvania chrome top GTB's, red letter 1950's. Best combination I've had yet. Have some RCA VT 231's on the way and looking at other VT 231's as well. Quite pleased just with where it is now. Mine is also the SlP 98  F1 and P model with Lundahl step up upgrade to MC. I don't always use the phono section as I have a Cary PH 301.

@dogberry Don't mean to steal your thread. I don't think you could have missed with any of your choices or with the one you made. Glad you like it. I am very pleased with my Cary components and am pretty sure you would have been as well.

If you ever decide to sell the Copland please PM me, and good luck with the hunt.

@billpete Just saw your post. I've been playing with my Mono rig and not on Audiogon that much. I gave my Cary SLP-98 to my nephew and it still has the stock tubes in it. Still my favorite. 

@russ69 

Thanks for that. Even with stock tubes, had very good sound. Better with some oldies. I don't think I'll ever tire of tube rolling. That makes the Cary's that much more appealing with the tubes out where we can get at them. Thoughtful. 

Ran Manley NeoClass 300B for four years.  Wonderful.  Just would not work with my ATC actives, so down the road.

As previously pointed out by @armstrod the Modwright preamp is one you should definitely look at.  I started with the LS100 and moved up the the LS 99 Balanced tube preamp.  Dan is one of the best in this business when it comes to quality and customer service.  Check out the LS 99!