2. amps-preamps
  3. 1261957803

Go with a tube preamp or not?

Hello everyone, I am interested in purchasing a tube preamp for my system. I am considering replacing the Classe CP 60 I am currently using and am looking for recommendations. The rest of my system is a Denon 3910 with Upgrade Company signature mods, a pair of Aragon Palladium 2 monos also upgraded by Upgrade Company, a pair of Intuitive Design Summits with Path stands and a total of 6 Stillpoints per side. I use a Velodyne DD12 to augment the low end. Cabling is mostly Ridge Street Audio with one pair of Jungson Golden Dragons used between the pre and power amps. the room is about 13.5 by 17.5 with 8 foot ceilings. I listen to a wide range of music including pop, classic rock, heavy metal, contemporary jazz, blues, and funk. Normal listening volume is 80 to 85 db's but occasionally will listen in the range of 90 to 95 db's if the mood strikes me.

I recently got to hear another member's system that has the Summits and uses a very nice tube preamp. I would like to see if I could get some of that tube sound in my system. I am not looking to drastically change the sound of my system, rather just add a touch of warmth. I have no experience with tube gear, so I am looking for help. I have looked at past threads, but am not finding specific enough info.

There are a couple of requirements that I am looking for and a couple of others that would be nice but are not mandatory. First, I want the unit to be remote controlled. It needs to have both balanced and single ended outputs that are active at all times. (My amps are balanced and I am not looking to change them at this time. The amps also have a 44 kohm input impedance.) Home theater pass thru would be nice, but is not mandatory. Same thing for phono capabilities. I am looking in the $1500 range used but could go as high as $2k if the right deal came along. I am not going above the 2k mark. I would need to sell the Classe pre first.

I have looked a little, and offerings from BAT, Audio Research and Conrad Johnson have all gotten my interest. I am sure there are plenty of others that I haven't mentioned. What I don't want to lose that the Classe does well is pacing and dynamic contrast. Any input is appreciated.
csmgolf

Showing 2 responses by mdhoover

mdhoover
695 posts
 
Csmgolf:

Three HUGE disclaimers prior to saying ANYTHING:

1) I have NEVER heard or even SEEN this preamp, so I know absolutely nothing about it other than that it's offered by Klaus Bunge, it's tube and it's in your price range, NEW.

2) I do NOT know whether it can be made (or whether he'd be willing and/or able to make it) in a balanced configuration.

3) The impedance stuff is over my head, at least at this time.

So, why on EARTH do I have the AUDACITY to even CONSIDER making a tentative suggestion???????????????????

Two words: Track record*

Klaus is legendary for making high end products and offering them at affordable price points**. His products are well known to be huge bang for the buck quality. So, knowing very little and with a relatively modest (modest in audiophile terms, that is....LOL) price point of ~$2K in mind, might I humbly suggest your consideration for auditioning of the Odyssey Candela Tube Preamplifier?

*Klaus Bunge's track record, not mine!
**I met him at the 2007 RMAF and suggested that he might consider manufacturing jumper cables, and that he could call them the "Bunge Jumpers." He was polite but clearly uninterested in this idea.......
mdhoover
695 posts
 
p.s. As you probably already know, I drive my Summits with an Odyssey Tempest Extreme solid state preamp and two Odyssey Stratos Extreme Monoblock amplifiers.

Hmmmm, the Candela may be a consideration for ME as well--at some point. Anyway, talk to Klaus directly, and he'll give you good info about his products. He MAY be a teensy weensy bit biased, but overall my impression (FWIW) is that he's admirably honest.

Bill
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