This thread for you tubeguys.Nominate your favorite tube Pre Amp of all time. More info for audiogon members the better. Remember some members are just starting their high end experience.
hey tubegroover,thanks! Found INFO: leonard at audio research said he couldn't remember the price of the upgrade but it requires eliminating the phono buffer and changing all the output caps. there's a guy in Los Angeles named gary garfield at musical fidelity 310-558-0037 who does this kind of work FYI. thanks again!!
Dare I venture my definitive and humble opinion on the strength of many tubes that have crossed my threshold (and connected to my power circuit): C.A.T. Ultimate for line, for phono -- JP200 as per rcprince & detlof and SRPP (you had to build that one yourself. It had provision for 0,5 farad power supply for phono, direct line for *aux* with interchangeable capacitance loading and *silver alloy* recommended for internal wiring -- back in the late 70s!) Admittedly, the CAT & JP80 are great all-rounders if U can afford them. SP6 & 10 are nice too, a bit ageing, however...
Warm and accurate in sound, versatile with 6 tone controls, and using the ubequitous 7025 (12ax7). There are three types of facia, of which the first is probably the most outstanding, with beautiful lettering in the lower centre, mustard caps inside that last a useful lifetime, and therefore sound consistent all these years and need the least hardware maintenance.
The bonus is that they are not choosy with tubes. Mine goes with 2 12ax7LPS (phono), 2 RCA long grey plates round getters (tone), 2 TKF ribbed (line), and an unknown one (for the center line output and the calibration drive).
The Herron VTSP-3A(ro3) has to be on the top ten list of tube preamps. Vinalvalet, did you happen to own a VTSP-3A before you acquired your Herron VTSP-360? If so, please compare the two Herron preamps for us.
Just moved from the VTSP-3A (R03) to the 360 which has been breaking in throughout the holidays. I’ll be posting some impressions in the next few weeks.
I prefer ss, but I'll throw another vote for the Sonic Frontiers Line 3. Very neutral, still preserves the harmonic detail of tubes, yet without the usual exaggeration. Plays well with many different components, a truly impressive line stage.
20 years later and 5 + years into owning an upgraded PV9a I just gotta say this pre has a most amazing phono stage. I have personally not heard any I prefer over this one. I would cavaet that within reasonable price constraints but maybe not? It is special.
I am enjoying reading this thread as I have not had the opportunity to hear a number of these recommended preamps except for the CAT SL1, which was amazing!
I’ve read a great many magazines over the years though and wondered where you would place these tube preamps in the rankings as I remembered they had very positive reviews as well:
cj Premier II
cj Premier III
cj Premier 7
Berning TF10A/AH
Counterpoint SA5/5.1
Counterpoint SA9/11
MFA/Quintessential
Don Gerber/ Fi preamp
Marantz 7
Would any of these make the Top 10 in your opinion?
Zesto Audio , some of the best gear many have never heard of.. The Leto Preamp is an incredible sounding piece. Plenty of inputs , 3 RCA , 2 XLR, 2 pair of RCA and 2 pair of XLR outputs , HT pass through.
Their Leto Ultra II is the newest version, if you are looking for something in this price segment you owe it to yourself to audition.
I just sent mine out for the ESP Power Supply upgrade, Zesto customer service is probably the best I've ever encountered in audio.
My favorites are custom-built linestages made by Aldo D'Urso, an Italian builder/designer. He uses mostly vintage parts, including Western Electric capacitors and transformers. I have one of his custom linestages that employs output transformers and uses Western Electric 310 and 348 tubes. The one concession to modernity is that he put in a motorized and remotely controlled volume pot to accommodate my laziness.
I have heard other models that he made that are extremely expensive and nice sounding. One has a pair of output transformers that, the transformers alone, cost about $20,000 a pair if you can find them.
Of slightly more commercial availability, I have heard and liked both the Audio Note (uk) M-10 and M-8 linestages and I also liked the Kondo M-10. Shindo also makes some good linestages. At a much lower price point, the top-of-the-line Atmasphere linestages sound good too.
Around 20 years ago, I went to my dealer to audition the Stax 007 Omega II headphones. They sounded great, so I ordered a pair along with the Stax tube amplifier/energizer. When I got it into my system, it did not sound nearly as good as what I heard in the dealer's setup. When I asked about that, the dealer informed me that I auditioned the headphones while they were being fed by a Kondo M-10 linestage, which, of course, sounded much better than anything I had (or could hope to have). that is why it makes my list.
Although I am primarily a tube-electronics person, I would not turn down a Lyra Connoisseur phono stage. I heard the most explosively dynamic and vibrant analogue playback in a system having that solid state phono stage.
I've only owned two tube preamps, so I am not really qualified on this subject, but one of mine is the Cary SLP 05 and I like it a lot. I own a bunch of different tubes for rolling on this unit, and certain tubes make me like it more than others do.
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