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.
OP, OK, that may explain it. Good, new graded tunes should last the whole 3,000 hours without failure. I am running something like fifty tubes and in the last ten years replaced two because of problems.
Audio Research does the most extensive testing before selling and Upscale, The Tube Store always test, but not to as great an extent. I would simply recommend getting new tubes and your trouble with tubes are likely to be reduced to nothing. |
I commented earlier in this thread that I have been happy with my Pass XP-12, it offered a nice balance in comparison to the other preamps that I tried. However, I chanced upon a good deal on an Audionet G2, I struggle to find the words to describe this upgrade. Yes, when new it is four times the price of the XP-12, so it should be good. But I think there is just a completely different philosophy in this design, the amount of aural information is astounding, coupled with a totally natural presentation. Worth a look. |
I would consider a Krell KCT. Its a killer preamp!! I had quite a few preamps in the past, including Krell KRS2, KRC2, KRC HR, Parasound Halo P3, Classe DR six, Mark Levinson 380s, Jadis DPL original, and my thumbs up are going to KCT. If you have the opportunity at some point to listen to it you will be amazed of what it can do! |
@jimbones - seems you have a curiosity itch to scratch. I suggest you keep your CJ while trying out another preamp maybe used to mitigate costs, then you can resell at minimal loss. I find your situation interesting. CJ offers one of the most “musical” preamps and is usually an endgame destination. After demoing to find the sound I like, I’ve built a SS neutral linear system targeting fidelity and dropping the noise floor. But I’m also building a second flea watt system to discover tube sonics beginning with flea watt SET amps. I’m trying to educate myself of tube Sonics differences without major investments in tubes. |
@jimbones I am going thru the same thing at the moment. I recently just sold off a tube pre amp and I'm going solid state. Also trying to decide if I want to keep my original Power amplifier or upgrade to an NAD m23. how do you like the M23? What is it like? I have been looking at integrated amps and staying separate (maybe considering an M66) There is a lot of choice these days and the hunt for something new is the half the fun. |
