Ayre ... over the past 10+ years I've owned the K5-Xemp, the KX-5 Twenty and now the KX-R Twenty. They were all on the warm side and what changed as I upgraded was resolution.
Solid State Preamp to replace tube unit
I currently own a CJ tube preamp. Ive always owned tube preamps and I would like to get my first solid state preamp.I am fed up with buying expensive hard to find tubes that last 3 months or new production tubes with that not so great sound. I pine for consistency. I probably wont sell my CJ I'll just keep it. My power amps are NAD M23 for the summer and CJ Premiere 12's for the winter.
Since I dont dabble in the solid state world I am not sure what to get. I figure since this is my first SS unit 4-5k preowned??. Some brands I have considered CODA< Pass, AYRE, Classe, Bel Canto, Krell etc. Note: I have tried the Parasound and Benchmark but they didnt do it for me. I dont like anayltical sterile sound. If it is a touch warm/colored that is probably good as I am coming from a very warm CJ tube unit.
Must haves are a remote with balance control. Multiple outputs (XLR and RCA). I have an outboard phono pre. Thank you for reading and for your suggestions.
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If you can find a used Krell KCT you will have found one of the most sublime preamplifiers ever designed. I presently own a Mola Mola Makua preamp that is priced WELL below its weight. It’s not inexpensive at around 15k. It can support up to five turntables I believe. It’s every bit as good as anything I’ve heard in my life and maybe you can find one used. I have a dealer friend who doesn’t handle the line but knows it intimately through other friends of his and states that one must spend over $35,000 to get anything that sounds better. |
If you can find a used Krell KCT you will have found one of the most sublime preamplifiers ever designed. I presently own a Mola Mola Makua preamp that is priced WELL below its weight. It’s not inexpensive at around 15k. It can support up to five turntables I believe. It’s every bit as good as anything I’ve heard in my life and maybe you can find one used. I have a dealer friend who doesn’t handle the line but knows it intimately through other friends of his and states that one must spend over $35,000 to get anything that sounds better. |
@jimbones Not sure how far away you are to ship it in - I wonder why you might not consider sending in your current preamp to CJ for a checkover. Maybe they can test, check, make recommended updates?, My main system is all tube preamp / mono tube amps. I had been searching past few years for a ClassA Pass/Forte’ F44 preamp to match my Pass/Forte 3/1A Class A amplifier in my other system. Found one, have been trying it on rotation this year. Sounds nice for sure. When I swap back in my all tube preamp with the Class A solid state amp there can be this added layering and 3D dimension effect that occurs. I credit the 6SN7 tube preamp. Has its own sound like your CJ gear. Swapping back and forth between the two different types of preamps helps to realize the differences. FYI, I’ve chatted with Nelson about this SS vs Tube preamp topic some a few years back. As I understand it, it’s one of the reasons he came up with the Korg B1 flat tube DIY preamp kit. It offers an option to explore for Pass amp owners. I’d be curious to know if CJ can help you or not to investigate more. |
@coppy777 Last time I spoke to Jeff was about my Power Amp tubes. Jeff is a funny guy (not ha ha funny) I think I caught him on a bad day. Seemed temperamental. I had asked if I can put KT120 in my Premiere 12 and he said "absolutely not" Yest he has specifically told other P12 owners it is ok to do so. I am perplexed. Anyway back to the pre, I am going to go with the recommendation that he told another CJ owner about the Philips tube. So far the Tesla sounds amazing, definitely the best I have heard in my system so I will definitely be buying another one for my stash. |
- 127 posts total