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Low budget vintage preamp or new

I’m new to this hi-fi world and wow wow wow it is so exciting. Been nerding out big time in these forums and am happy to be a part of this now.

I got Heresy IV’s, a McIntosh MC352, a Project S Box and a $50 amazon dilvpoetry preamp. I spent nearly all of the money I have right now besides about $1,300 I saved for a preamp. 

I definitely want a tube preamp, and am looking most closely at the Audio Research LS7 and the Schitt Freya +. Honestly even with the $50 preamp I’m still totally floored every time I turn the system on and do not think I have had a single conversation with anyone in the past couple weeks that did not at some point turn to how dope the hi-fi world is. 

What are your thoughts on the lower end Audio Research amps? I’m a bit nervous they’ll hum, that I’ll need to spend a lot of time and money repairing them, and that they probably won’t work so well when I use my system to play movies, which I will certainly do at times. 

What do you think? Are there other preamps I should be looking at? Thanks so much for your time


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charles7
109 posts
 
For a tube pre-amp, the Xiangsheng 728A is a good introduction, about $300 and presumably not difficult to resell . My experience is at
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/buyers-report-xiangsheng-728a-tube-pre-amplifier.963...
guy-incognito's avatar
guy-incognito
169 posts
 
How about a left field option with something a little more versatile.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisac329-arcam-sr250-receivers

I run this Arcam SR 250 (msrp $3600) as a pre with a Parasound JC5 and it works great for a split system for movies and music. You get HDMI switching and digital/analog inputs as well as DIRAC room correction. Paired with a solid amp its a very musical combo. 
dutchamps's avatar
dutchamps
8 posts
 
If you go for MM stage I would go for a tube stage, at MC almost impossible course of the multiply factor. 
MC with tubes you get loads of pink noise. 
If your handy diy buy a good kit. 
MM with 12AX7 Ecc83 or 5751bit lower Mu factor. 
There are very good schematics. 

Succes

avitacom
90 posts
 
Look at Vacuum Tube Audio (tubes4hifi).  I am very happy with my SP14 preamp, based on the 6SN7.  Prices are reasonable.
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jallan
301 posts
 
I have an SP6B preamp, a fine choice if you need a phono preamp too. If you don’t, I would go with the Schiit Freya+. My Schiit Saga is more resolving than my SP6B, although does not reproduce the illusion of depth as well. You should consider the Saga+ as well, it’s amazing for the price!
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