2. amps-preamps
  3. 1115935539

Tube Pre-amp recommendations for Maggie 3.6

Hey folks,

Ok, it's time to focus on the pre-amp. You gave me good advice on the amps, and I took your input into serious consideration during my buying process.

The system is:

Magnepan 3.6
VTL MB 450 monoblocks
Shanling CD T200A CD/SACD
VTL 2.5 pre
analog - TBD

By the way, everything was purchased used on Audiogon.

So, you can see I'm definitely liking the whole tube thing.

I'm thinking of up-leveling the pre-amp, which, by the way, is quite wonderful.

So, where do I go from the VTL 2.5? I want to stay with tubes.

My thoughts are:

VTL 5.5 -I've had excellent luck with VTL so far.
Viva Linea 300 -heard it, absolutely love it!
And of course..... Supratek..... which comes exclusively and maniacally recommended through the Audiogon Underground (1,814 responses to a single post can't all be wrong).

Is there any place in the Western US (preferrably the West Coast) that even carries Supratek (for audition/purchase), or is the only avenue to go directly through Mick the owner?

Your thoughts are welcome!

Thanks
angelsmtn

Showing 1 response by bat21

bat21
21 posts
 
I would strongly recommend a BAT VK30se or beyond (balanced.com),McIntosh C2200, Aesthetix Calypso +, Audio Research, Conrad-Johnson. USE CAUTION with the Vk-50 series and higher, they only have balanced in/outs.

Maybe Atmosphere.

I think your ears will answer the dual-mono vs traditional. But I can say this it does make for a nice sound (dual-mono) and keeps noises and junk down or out. The VTL 5.5 is not truly balanced as I was told by an E.Engineer.

My Fav. system (beyond my own) is a full VTL set-up with the MB-450s and a 5.5 pre. What a system you have or will have.
More to discover