Looking for a tube preamp that has xlr outputs.


As the topic says looking for a new or used tube preamp that has xlr outputs to go to my vtv amplifier.  Will be looking for dac next for streaming music.  But back the preamp.  Price is under 2500.  Used is ok since you can often get more bang for the buck.  

What suggestions do people have?  I like to listen to everything from blues to assic

dlowman

A number of preamps have XLR outputs but are not truly balanced, if that’s important to you. Easy answer for one that is both is a Schiit Freya + (and it’s rarer cousin, the Freya N). Sells new for $899 plus tubes and available used for reasonable prices. There are others that cost much more, and some of them will sound better…

I’m listening to my Freya N right now through a Music Reference RM200Mk2, which has balanced inputs only. But it also sound good with my diy Pass B1,which is single-ended only, using an XLR to RCA adaptor. YMMV

You might take a look into what Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) has to offer - their tube preamps and amps are designed with 'true' balanced inputs and outputs, and a used VK32SE would be in your price range.

Vincent makes nice ear. 
that guy from Minnesota? 💩💩 I forget…..AVA, audio by van alstine  good stuff  

try odyssey audio, they have a tube with xlr 

also great stuff made in USA!

 

@dlowman There is a standard used in balanced line applications which is AES48. If the balanced line equipment supports AES48 you'll find that the interconnect cables make little or no difference in your system and you'll also have immunity to ground loops.

Do you need a phono section? Phono cartridges are balanced sources so you have have the same cable immunity at the input of the system where it matters the most. There are tube preamps with balanced phono sections that support AES48.