Tube Preamp - What to buy?

The Don Sachs line stage preamp ($2500) is just the VTA SP-14 dressed up in a pretty case.  The SP-14 can be bought as a kjt ($1200) or fully assembled and tested ($1800).   The top line PH-16 phono preamp kit ($700) can also be had fully assembled and tested ($1000).  

The VTA products are very plain Jane and have a bit of a home brew look to them, which is why Don Sachs can charge you $1000 or so more for the good looks.  But what do you want to spend your money on?

On the other hand, a recommendation I'd also throw at you would be to find a fully restored...  are you ready...  Fisher 400 CX-2 (The President) preamp.  Easily the equal of a Mac C22 or Marantz 7, and they're gorgeous.  Typically around $3000.

I am in absolute love with my Audio Hungary Qualiton APR 204. Has everything you want , brand new, on budget. I was in an Audio Research LS-26 when this gem came along . My favorite preamp ever, and I’ve had many, by all the respected brands . 

Wow, a walk back through memory lane as I haven’t bought a preamp in probably 15 years.  I bought my first tube one, an arc sp8 that I still have in the box, back in the 1980’s…  I’ve also owned their sp9, 10, and 11, and still have counterpoint, manley and cj ones, and through the years have had an opportunity to listen to a great number of the recommendations you received. 
As you probably know, after cd’s (perfect sound forever) became the norm, many manufacturer’s dropped phono stages from their pre units, and started manufacturing line only pre amps, a trend which continues through today.  Your wanting an inboard mm stage therefore in some ways limits your search, but in some ways benefits it, as by comparison, good mc stages were more difficult and expensive to produce.  
I could ramble on for a while, but note that you’ve received some great suggestions already.  Having been down that search some decades ago, I’d heartily second the wonderful manley ultimate, an arc 3/8/9/11, or a mm stage cat.  Counterpoints as well, but now they are tough to find, and tougher to service.  Arguably more musical, perhaps at the expense of some audio parameters by comparison to more modern products from the same companies, these oldies were truly goodies.

Buying used is a great way to go, and most of the major players will continue to service their products many years after their manufacture date.

good luck!

ps.  While there are great systems out there with tube pre/solid amp combos, a couple of relatively inexpensive tube pieces together can bring a smile to one’s face the same way an inexpensive turntable can.  Don’t hesitate to wander down that path for a bit. rbm

There is a super nice (used) Air Tight ATC-1 for sale on line. It has a MM phono stage. It is just fantastically built and sounds wonderful. I should know, I used to own it. I think they want 3500.00

@russbutton

256 posts

07-23-2021 7:27am

The Don Sachs line stage preamp ($2500) is just the VTA SP-14 dressed up in a pretty case. The SP-14 can be bought as a kjt ($1200) or fully assembled and tested ($1800). The top line PH-16 phono preamp kit ($700) can also be had fully assembled and tested ($1000).

count down to reply from don ... four ... three... two... 😂😂😂