2. amps-preamps
  3. 1133026502

Need advice ono a Tube preamp

I have never tried tubes.I am currently running B+W matrix 801s seriesIII.I have several bryston amps a few 3b ssts,4b sst and 3 bst.I also just purchased a sony scd-1 and a moon eclipse.
I wanted to try a tube preamp in this system.I have never tried one and I know little or nothing about them.OK,I know nothing about them is more like it...lol...
I don't want to sacrifice bass response,channel seperation etc but want to warm up the highs abit.Is this possible with a tube preamp or Should I try something else?

budt3210
Post removed 
eagleman6722
217 posts
 
TAD-150. Read the reviews...
budt3210 OP
19 posts
 
I see some tube preamps have one tube,some 2 and some 4.I only need a line stage preamp.I would also prefer balanced outputs.As I am trying to warm up the mids and highs a bit is it better to have more tubes? Or does the number of tubes even matter?
clio09
3,355 posts
 
You can accomplish what you want with a tube preamp. However, rather than focusing on the number of tubes a preamp has I would rate your priorities as follows:

1. Design, including how the tubes are used in the signal path and/or power supply.
2. The type of tubes being used. Each tube has certain characteristics that "color" the sound. Look for one that has the characteristics that match your sound preference.
3. Abililty to tube roll. This is not so important to some, but to me having this flexibility is a nice-to-have feature. You'll want to know what NOS options or alternative tube types will work with the preamp.

A lot of people are hot on the Modwright preamp right now. It might be worth a loook. Me, I'm biased, but I'd recommend you look into a Joule Electra LA-100 MkIII. Here is one listed on Audiogon:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1138632048
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