2. amps-preamps
  3. 1093298107

Tube pre for Forte 4a

Hey guys. Loving my new amp despite the Majik in the loop. Looking forward to swapping it out with something more involving, and would like to play with tubes. So the first question is: how well does this amp mate with tube preamps? Second, any recommendations?

My budget is under $1,500US and if I can tuck it under a grand, then all the better (that means I can get it earlier).

Thanks in advance for the thoughts.
mprime

Showing 3 responses by mprime

mprime OP
92 posts
 
Thanks for the reply, Lak. (I've enjoyed your posts and have found them very informative)

The Channel Island preamp is fits EXACTLY with my audio philosophy. But I have tempered my view as I learn (read - become confused) about high-end audio. I am under the impression that an active preamp is a vital portion of the playback process. If this is not true for my system, then I'd love to ditch the headaches and go with something simple like the VPC-1. Therefore, could you go into a bit more detail on what I might expect to hear between the VCP-1 and, lets say the Cary designed AE-3 (and variants)?

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Best,
mprime OP
92 posts
 
Quick update.

Purchased an Audio Electronics AE-3 DJH. All of a day old and enjoying the 'new' sound. Will take a while to break-in and unfold, at which time I'll update my system page.

This has been a major shift in my system (going from a Majik integrated to seperates) and will take a while to fine tune. But I could not have gotten this far, this comfortably, without this amazing forum and the informed opinions of so many. So thanks!

Best,
mprime OP
92 posts
 
A follow up for Sean.

I could not be happier.

Please keep in mind I am using the amp with RCA inputs; that increases the input impedance to 47k (as you know) which - if I understand properly - more than clears the 10:1 "rule" (the DJH is 600 ohms). But aside from the spec, there is music there. Real music. The kind of music I heard growing up with musicians passing through my house (my mom was on the board of a major symphony and played surrogate mother to many of the performers -- insturments were played constantly in the house which has given me, for better or worse, a rather grooved idea of what music should sound like).

I still have some tube rolling to do, cables to select, and, quite candidly, perhaps a speaker change. I am also curious to "upgrade" the Forte (increase the filter capacitance and perhaps the rectifiers) but feel no rush to do so.

I'll go on later in my virtual system page, but for now just say that the DJH and Forte are a grand match.

Best,

Lee
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