Tube Pre-Amp Upgrade Advice for Young Audiophile


Hello,
Take a look at my system...under 'my system'. My modded AE-3 is AWESOME ...I love it! But I have the upgrade itch and at this point I feel is the weakest link in my system. What I am looking for is a little more transparency amoung other things. I DO NOT want to spend and arm and a leg on a new pre. Maybe $800 used. Due to my budget ..i have to buy used and prob cannot audition... hence I am VERY concerned with component synergy with My Super Amp DJH.

Many people reccomend older Audio Research Models but I have no Idea which ones are good. I am also seriously considering the Rogue Magnum 66...also Blue Circle (but i think the BC is out of my budget.
Over all I want to make sure I am actually making an
upgrade over my AE3! All of you advice in the past has been A1!! So HELLLPP! :)
squiddy

Showing 1 response by tomryan

Squiddy,

I auditioned the DJH Super Amp about 1 1/2 years ago. Found it to be as close to SET as one can get w/o actual SET. It was emminently musical and glued me to my listening sofa night after night. (Hated that overly bright blue on/off light, though.) Found it to have properly entended highs and lows and just the right balance of color and clarity. It made music for me. However, the upgrade bug kept gnawing away and I ended up with the three times as expensive Air Tight 300B. However, the Super Amp is a real keeper. I used a Creek OBH12 passive pre with remote control (a must in any pre-amp I will own) and it worked just fine. Plenty of dynamics, etc. If not this, suggest you go with as neutral a pre (tube, of course!) as possible so as not to lose any of the wonderful Super Amp tone and color.

By the way, you may want to, some day, check out ProAc and Vienna Acoustic speakers. However, you have put together a great system with music first, obviously. A music lover, no doubt.