2. amps-preamps
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Please recommend Tube pre-amp(s)

I've listened to, and liked the Conrad Johnson PV 12 (a bit under $2,000) and really liked the Conrad Johnson Premier 14 ( $4,300?). However the Premier 14 is a lot of money, and we wouldn't even have listened to it except it has a remote control which my wife insists on, and then she fell in love with the higher quality sound of the Premier 14. I've listened to solid state gear from Rowland, Ayre, Classe and Krell none of which I liked although I thought the Rowland was incredibly precise, detailed [and lifeless.] The only other tube gear I listened to was the BAT preamp/amp combination which didn't do it either - I thought the sound was kind of dark and a bit dry emotionally. We felt that the CJ sound was very open, inviting and involving - we felt like part of the emotional experience of the music. I'm quite new at this and it seems like the preamp has a large effect on the overall character of the sound of the system, at least more so than the power amp. So far I have a Cal Audio CL 10 5 disk CD player and a Conrad Johnson DA-2b D to A converter plugged into my soon to be replaced old receiver and speakers. I have no plans for vinyl, so I'm looking for recommendations for line stages. What preamps can you recommend in the $2k to $4k price range with remote controls? The two dealers who had the CJ line said CJ has a distinctive sound - do you agree? If so, how would you characterize the sound from other amplification companies' equipment - like VAC, etc. etc.
whiteknigh
schiss76e8
5 posts
 
The cj premier 14 is being replaced by the premier 17. I purchased a premier 16 last year and i absolutly love it. The 17 should sound similar to the 16 and the ART for about the same price as the 14. Check it out.
gino
101 posts
 
Absolutely agree with all above re: conrad-johnson. I've been through a number of "names" in high-dollar tube and ss preamps, but eventually settled on the c-j 14, which is being replaced by the new 17LS or the 16. The c-j ART was my ultimate choice, but not within my budget. After owning a number of other preamps and auditioning more in the past six months, I have settled on connie jay as, overall, the most musically satisfying line stage preamps, regardless of make or price. There will be many recommendations here, all of which are valid within their context, but the ultimate decision-makers are 1) your ears, and 2) your budget. Good luck!
hanbt
5 posts
 
SNT Line3 definately is the best pre-amp with $2700-$3000 range. You can upgrade to Aperrex tubes from UPSALE AUDIO and you will a happiest man.
rayd
81 posts
 
I agree with most of what Pedsent said about the Bryston BP-25. I had one for a couple of years. I tried a Cary SLP-98 tube pre-amp and the Bryston got sold. I listened to a few tube pre-amps (Electrocompaniet, Art Audio) but the Cary had a sound I thought was just right. I seemed captivated by the warmth but after listening for a few months I felt the bass was not as tight as I have heard in my system and the warmth I thought I loved was now a veil. I eventually bought a TacT RCS pre-amp. I've had the Tact for six months and this is the pre-amp for me. If you like a tube sound try a Cary.
pjpoland
7 posts
 
from what i've learned in my search for a good preamp under $1500, the suggestions above are all very interesting, and accurate. It seems the missing ingredient is the tubes you use. i have settled on a CJ PV10a. It is wonderful with NOS Mullard's- but just average with Ei's from eastern Europe. I wonder if much of the variety of opinion expressed above is based more on tube variation than brand name?
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