2. amps-preamps
  3. 133998-18991

Falling out of love with tubes

I’ve owned an EICO ST-70 for eight years.  It’s modified and upgraded to the max, but with budget tubes. 

I just got got a Conrad Johnson SA-250 for a steal.  I plugged it in and it has blown my mind.  I feel like I’m hearing my music for the first time! So much detail I never noticed before!

I’m selling the EICO and will use the money for a preamp.   The SA-250 amp sounds kind of sterile/clinical to me.  Very unforgiving of a mediocre recording.

***Will using a preamp instead of going direct from my computer or tape sweeten the sound, even if it’s the solid state CJ Sc26 preamp?

***Will I lose the detail I hear if I get an older CJ tube pre in my price range? (Pv-10al) 

I’m listening to Silverline Prelude tower speakers, anticables level 2 speaker wires, anticables level 1 interconnects, and Denon dvd-2200 for CD, parasound zphono USB for my Supex SDX-1000  mc cartridge.  (Haven’t tried anything but phone, computer and cassette since I don’t have a preamp) 

Thanks in advance for your input. 
audibleaudio

Showing 2 responses by kalali

kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

Why should it be checked out? He's saying it sounds excellent. My brother also has an SA-250 and it sounds excellent too. I guess it could sound more excellent if it is recapped but not required.

I also think your EICO was probably a sub par amplifier, modded or not. The Sonographe amps were not super lively even when new.

kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
“...a tube preamp will give me back those rich odd-order harmonics I have a taste for...”
I think you meant even order harmonics and the CJ PV10AL delivers plenty of them, maybe a tad too much depending on your taste. Real juicy midrange if that's what are after but a bit rounded off on top.
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