2. amps-preamps
  3. 1148215196

Pre for TAD-60

Hi,

I'm looking for a sub $2,000 pre to match with my TAD-60. (I would prefer something under $1000 to hear if a tube pre is the right idea.) I've considered getting a used TAD-150. Currently run the TAD mostly through Placette passive (but sometimes directly from unmodded DAC-AH/Sony 595 or Cary 306/200). Sound emanates from Gallo 3.1s. Stock EL34s (have also used Shuguang KT-88s). I usually run in ultralinear. I've tried triode but find it too recessed and tame (would prefer the sound to be between ultralinear and triode).

I immediately fell in love with the TAD-60 and continue to be impressed. But of course, over time you want more of what you don't hear and don't want some of what you can hear. Hence, my situation.

With the placette pre the sound is slightly chiseled, a little flinty, a touch of glare to the treble (I've become especially treble sensitive in recent years), dimensionality and imaging are good. Great midrange with the EL34s, smoother, more liquid treble and tighter, deeper bass with KT-88s but the middle kind of drops off and gets soft, less pronounced. The KT-88s are generally warmer but slightly less detailed than EL34s. When I bypass the pre I get a warmer, more harmonic quality. So, to get to my point, I would like:

what the KT-88s give me with more voluptuous midrange
to be somewhere between ultralinear and triode sound quality
to have more of the smooth, liquid (less chiseled) sound quality of the amp sans passive pre
a little more dimensionality and soundstage (I'm not sure there's ever enough)

Any help will be appreciated.
Bob
holderlin

Showing 1 response by auditude

auditude
10 posts
 
Hi Holderlin,
I've had incredible results with my Quicksilver Remote linestage and the TAD-60. I have to believe that a lot of the satisfaction I'm getting in sonic bliss is coming from the Quicksilver as I've had her mated to both solid state and other tube amplifiers.

The TAD and the Quicksilver are an amazing match with the pre being driven by Sovtek 6922's (not well liked in the driver tube community it seems) but this is a testament to the Quicksilver's ability to make music.

The TAD on it's own is very impressive but pairing it to the Quicksilver opened up the flood gates so to speak. Everything widened, became deeper and so much more "alive".

I think it would suit your TAD well to be matched to a tubed pre-amp!

I've seen the non-remote Quicksilvers on a'gon for about $600-700 range and even less. The build quality of the pre is exemplary and when I went to roll tubes I was amazed at the quality of parts used.

The downside is that I haven't heard great things about their customer service. i.e. no return calls and weeks before responding to dealers. Not that I've had problems (knock on wood) the previous owner made these remarks to me.

Hope this helps!

BTW, if you like the sound of your TAD without a pre or with your current set-up you owe it to yourself to try out the KT77 reissues! I've got a set and drop them in for those "special" occassions. They run $70-90 for a quad and are a great match with the TAD!

Regards,

Angelo
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