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Seriously considering tube preamp…opinions?

Tube virgin, here. I am building a system and I'm trying to contain the preamp/amp cost to $3k or so. (I could go up a little.) 

I'm inclined not to dive into tubes all the way through, but get a solid state on the output end. (Open to suggestions; inclined toward PS Audio, Parasound.) I'm reading around about tube preamps and have talked with my local dealer, who sells Black Ice/Jolida and Prima Luna (PL). He used to carry Rogue but said they kept coming back for repairs. That's why he carries PL.

I'm asking these questions after having established (via reviews, comments) that Schiit gear is quite the value. Lately, I've been reading about Decware and other small tube makers. I'm very curious about buying direct, if possible, and a company that stands behind their products is crucial.

So, your opinions about tube integrated or *especially* tube preamps —

1. Who do you like? Consider I want to do pre/amp for a total of $3k if possible.

2. Do you think PL is worth all that money just for a preamp? I get the feeling they're high quality but a bit over-hyped. (No disrespect to the highly passionate Kevin Deal, but he's all over my search results.) And what would you think about $2k/$1k preamp-to-amp spending ratio?

3. Any sense of what happened to Jolida since the name change to "Black Ice"? I see there's a sordid story there but did the re-branding clear up the mess? Any experiences with the Black Ice company?

4. I know there are many Schiit fans out there; so my question would be -- did anyone consider Schiit for tube preamp and go another way? Or move beyond Schiit for any particular reason? It's hard not to just capitulate and do a Freya+ or Saga+ but why wouldn't one just go with Schiit?




128x128hilde45

Showing 6 responses by lalitk

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,074 posts
 
@hilde45,

All good points,

I would steer clear of linear sounding tubes in preamp or amps if you want to enjoy and experience rich harmonic ‘distortions’ associated with good tube gear....otherwise stick with SS gear.

The pre/amp combination, Tube/SS will greatly depends on efficiency of your full range speakers. The higher efficiency, say 96dB will give you greater flexibility in SS or Tube amplification. Less than 96dB, say 92dB efficiency SS amp is the way to go. Some full range speakers even dip down to 2-3 ohms load, for those you need a good wattage power amp to handle the peaks.

I went from 92db to 96db speakers and couldn’t be any happier. I can drive my speakers with 8W SET, 30W class A or 200W class A/B amps.

Hope this helps!
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,074 posts
 
@hilde45,

I did not say, it will be impossible to drive 90db speakers with tube amplification. Have you tried comparing SS vs Tube amplification with you 90db speakers? 
Do you honestly think you can drive 90db speakers comfortably with a 8W SET amps. 😊
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,074 posts
 
+1, tvad and almarg.

@hilde45.
Only you know what kind of sound you’re after. In reading your various threads, it seems you’re building your audio system from ground up for the long haul by considering amp, preamp, DAC and so on.

My post about high efficiency speakers is directly related to your bullet point about preamp/amp combination, Tube/SS is much more advisable than SS/Tube. I was merely suggesting that high efficiency speakers are much easier to drive thus giving you larger pool to cherry pick your choice of amplification at reasonable price point.

If you haven’t thought about replacing your 90db speakers, now is the time to do so before you decide on the amplifier. 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,074 posts
 
In your price range, look at offerings from Modwright Instruments. Dan is a great designer and provides awesome customer service. 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,074 posts
 
Given OP budget of $2K, he is unlikely to find anything decent in ARC preamp range. Don’t think he wants to own a 10 plus years old ARC preamp. IME, ARC is a very linear sounding, they sound more like solid state than any other tube preamp I’ve heard. I have owned both LS28 and Ref 6 and eventually sold both of them. 

Before ARC fans gets bent out of shape over my feedback, I should mention that my current reference is Shindo Monbrison preamp.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,074 posts
 
“While I cannot listen to many of the brands/makers being suggested”

One way to accomplish this, either plan a trip to AXPONA in April or wait until RMAF in October. 
If taking a trip is not possible then I would make a list of all of the brands being suggested and start calling the manufacturer or dealers for in-home audition. 
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