It’s time to upgrade my pre-amp


A strange thing happened to me at the start of Covid.  I could not bare to listen to most music other than jazz, primarily post 50‘s jazz.  I’m not asking for psychological assistance, but …this journey has led me down the never tiring, wonder filled analog road and that has caused my close family and friends to wonder.   

I built and own a Dynaco ST-70, Dynaco ST-35 and an Elekit TU-8600S with all of the upgrades including the Lindahl transformers.  The Elekit is my amp of choice. My thinking was, what better way to learn to listen to jazz than on the equipment it was designed to be listened to when originally recorded.

Today I am in need of a pre-amplifier that will support my current amplifiers, as well as, higher wattage tube and possibly digital amps in the future. For the time being, I’m sticking with highly efficient speakers.  As I mentioned in a previous post, my turntable is an Acoustic Signature Tornado Neo with a Hana ML cartridge and GoldNote PS10+PSU10 phono stage and separate power supply.  

My listening space is rather large 22 x 40 and my goal is to listen at low to moderate sound levels while maintaining clarity, detail and the experience of being inside the music space.

Thank you ahead of time.

goodnightpaul

Thank you for the explanation of the signal stength.  Perhaps it’s wise to consider purchasing a pre-amp that will suit several different amp styles.  You never know, I might find myself with a S/S amp in my future, as well as the tubes.

Just researched the Elekit myself and most of their forums recommend running it without a preamp (contrary to the general consensus in other general threads here). As mentioned you don’t need gain so maybe a passive switch box is all you need? Either way, recommend trying before you buy. 

Yes, it is possible to run the Elekit without a pre-amp.  I believe the volume control was built in so headphones could be used.  Your recommendation about trying before buying is great advice.  

If you want a good, modestly priced, passive preamp look at Khozmo. Otherwise you could diy one. 

 

If you get an active preamp I would say at least 6 db gain, low output impedance and most of all sounds good :)