2. amps-preamps
  3. 1095897282

Good tube preamp w/ HT bypass

I've finally decided to snag an AVM30 for my pre-pro, and aragon 8008 amps for my amplification (or Sherbourne 7/2100 - I bought both, and will sell whichever I like less).

However, I keep hearing about tubes! I don't have any experience with them, but I'd love to give it a try. I've read that by combining SS amplification with tube preamps, I can preserve the bass control of the SS w/ the midrange of tubes.

SO - are there any preamps you can recommend to me to try and/or demo? I need it to have HT bypass, so I can use my HT rig separately from this...

I've read the Rogue Magnum 66 is good... The audio research sp-16l is supposed to be good... And the TAD-150 was recommended to me (http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/TAD-150.html) but I can't find any other information on it.

Non tube pres that have been recommended to me are the sonic euphoria plc and adcom 750; but i'm not sure if either would better the avm30.

Oh; budget would be $500-1000, used or new. Thanks for any recommendations!
kincade

Showing 2 responses by oldpet

oldpet
295 posts
 
Hey kincade
How did you make out with your quest for tube integration into your HT? I'm starting down the EXACT same road you've already traveled. I've been told that the use of tube preamps can possibly cause dammage to a SS amp. Did you run into any of that?
Paul
oldpet
295 posts
 
Thanks for the info Kincade. I appreciate it. I'm tossing around either a Cary SLP2002 or an ARC LS 16, in the tube world. I'm also hoping to get a listen to an H-Cat P-12A preamp it's SS and supposedly THE preamp! I hope it pans out. The HCAT is really expensive compared to the tube stuff though.

Was the Modded JD 100 new? Maybe that's why it seemed harsh. I've heard good things about them. Have you put it up for sale yet? Isn't it amazing how much time and money gets put into this 'Hobby"?
More to discover