2. amps-preamps
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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 1 response by scothurwitz

scothurwitz
113 posts
 
Hi Hilde45

The name for tube preamps that keeps coming up is Don Sachs. It’s nearly impossible to find a bad word ever written about this gentleman or his best preamp. The more I read about it the more impressed I became with it. The product is sold direct only, the only way to keep the cost as reasonable as it is. His newest model sells for $2500.00 usd. Based on all that has been written about it’s supposed to sound fantastic. He takes into consideration which the amp you plan on using with it so he can tailor the output caps to be a perfect match. The reliability is also supposed to be rock solid. If you email him he responds within a day or two every time. He also has a ok return policy which, I believe is 14 days but you don’t get your money back immediately from what I understand. I think he returns your money only after he re-sells it. At first this was a little disconcerting but I get it, he runs on super low margins and his reputation is excellent. I don’t think he gets many of them returned though as his customers all rant and rave about this thing. If I were you, I would look into it. Best of luck.

Scot
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