2. amps-preamps
  3. 1447924039

Need Tube Preamp Warmth

I’m looking for recommendations for a tube preamp with a warm presentation, good soundstaging and imaging, and low-end extension.
It will replace my Rogue Perseus Magnum, which is a detailed, neutral sounding preamp with a great amount of extension in the highs. Even using Mullard Longplates, I’m not getting the sound I want.

The preamp is paired with a Sunfire 300 which has an input impedance of 42 kOhms and input sensitivity of 1.64V. (Single-ended).

The rest of my system is comprised of:
ARC CD3 mk II
Linn Axis TT
Gallo CL-3 speakers
Purist Audio Aqueous speaker cables
Cardas Parsec ICs
Audience PowerChords

The ideal preamp will reproduce classical music in an organic and natural way. (Not looking for vintage).
My budget is $2000 to $2500 used. Any help is much appreciated.
lowrider57

Showing 2 responses by larkston_zinazpic

larkston_zinazpic
41 posts
 
It's a very personal thing...but there's an Atma-Sphere pre up for sale right now well within your price range.

I haven't heard the UV-1, but I do own an MP-3. It doesn't do the glassy, sibilance-exaggerating thing other tube preamps do, and yeah, that's a big deal to me. I would have to imagine the UV-1 is similar.

Good luck in your search.
larkston_zinazpic
41 posts
 
Sorry about the confusion I caused earlier...I should have said "Ultraviolet" to be more clear.

I haven't heard the Dehavilland UV, but I heard a CJ pre not that long ago (I don't recall the model but it was a little pricey), and I thought it was especially 'dark' sounding...but whatever works....

Ralph's pre could be perceived as 'warm' but is somehow very transparent to the source without scouring your ears out with the details. Not sure how he does that. Sounds very nice with Hitachi 6SN7's....
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