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
path7man
11 posts
 
I would suggest Audio Research....depending on budget either their LS25 or Reference......to my ears, and with my 3.6's, it doesn't get any better..................
jwpstayman
398 posts
 
Just adding my couple of pennies to the discussion - I would go for the VAC Renaissance pre. They are fully balanced, with both RCA and XLR outputs, have a remote, home theater by-pass, can have a great internal phono stage. Excellent, refined TUBE harmonics that makes the most of the Maggies ribbons. The one component in my own system that will NEVER, ever be considered for upgrade!
markone8a55
30 posts
 
I originally had the VTL 2.5 pre, but quickly upgraded to the VTL 5.5 pre. More open, detailed, tonally superior.
Though I'm not running the 3.6s, but using the smaller
MMGs. System: Wadia 301, VTL 5.5 pre, M/F XP200 mono blocks
and MMGs. Hope this helps.
angelsmtn OP
12 posts
 
Hi,

I have one follow-up question to my original post. The VTL 5.5 is a dual mono design. I understand the theory and value of dual mono design in an amp; my previous amp was such. But does this design really offer appreciable benefit in a pre-amp? Does separating the signal paths really make that much difference? My thought is that more pre-amps would be made this way if it made a bigger difference. With pre-amps, I see more logic in separating out the power supply as many high-end units do.

Thoughts?
angelsmtn OP
12 posts
 
Hey Markone,

Thanks for the data point. Can you expand on what you mean by "tonally superior?"

Thank you
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