Might try a tube preamp


I’ve been toying with the idea of giving tubes a try and thought I would start with a tube preamp running to my SS amp and see how I liked it.    

After reading reviews and looking through some of the posts here on Audiogon I’ve been thinking of a LTA micro ZOTL or rogue audio RP-7 - each around $5k.   Thoughts on these?  

Or would I be better off looking for something else used here on Audiogon?  Maybe a ARC Ref 5 or LS-28?  I’m pretty new to tubes so am open to options.

Thanks
rshad0000

Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

Since your amplifier is integrated and there doesn't appear to be a direct input to the power amp section, I don't see how a preamp tube or solid state would help.
But the amp does have a set of balanced inputs and seems to be internally balanced, so a balanced tube preamp would be a nice option as it could minimize the effect of interconnect cables on the sound. And as others have mentioned, our MP-3 preamp is such a beast and actually supports the balanced standard. The used ones here on Audiogon would be a good place to start if you go that route. Like your amp, the MP-3 is fully differential and balanced with zero feedback and a minimal signal path.


What is your budget? Do you need a phono section? What amplifier are you driving? Does it have a balanced input?