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Tube Preamps...I'm sold

At the constant urging of my friend I finally decided to audition a tube preamp (Eistein The Tube). All I can say is I am completely sold on the benefits of tubes in my system. I am not sure I have the vocabulary to describe what I heard but everything just sounded right. Vocals has a realism that made it seem I was in the same room as the musician. Instruments sounded like they were supposed to. There were details I have never heard before. What is amazing to me is that I have what I believe to be a pretty good ss preamp (Classe CP-700).

Ok, now for the hard part...finding the right tube preamp. The Einstein is amazing but I want to audition more. Can anyone suggest a tube pre in the range of $10K and less? I would love to some one with an output trigger and very fine volume control (0.5db). Thats all I need.

Thanks in advance.
128x128tboooe

Showing 11 responses by tboooe

tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
lol...anything NOT related to audio stuff is definitely bs!!!!!
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I would prefer balanced with a nice remote. I am only using this for 2 ch so I dont need HT pass. I also dont want tone control.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
Tom, what is the REX? Yes, BAT is on my shortlist.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
Tom, thanks for the input. If I go with BAT I will get the 52se so I can upgrade to the REX. Hopefully I can audition one after CES.

Teajay, great thoughts. No, I have not given up entirely on SS preamps. I am going to try the Accustic Arts, MBL, among others. Whatever I do next, I am hoping its the end of the road for a long time (yeah right!)
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
mcrheist:

I have not decided on a tube pre yet. If money was no object I would get the Einstein The Tube preamp but its $14K!!!. The CP-700 is indeed a very nice preamp but a bit too smooth for my tastes. There is something about tubes that just adds the texture in the midrange that I am looking for. Right now, my shortlist includes BAT VK-52se, VAC, ARC, and Cary....I hope to make a decision soon.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
mcrheist, good thoughts. I will be auditioning all the preamps I listed. One point to consider though, to me good tube preamps sound fundamentally different from good ss preamps. So while the Cp-700 is indeed a great preamp, it still does not give the sound that tubes do, which is what I am after. So in this case, it is not about the other preamps being better than the CP-700, but rather different and better suited to my tastes.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
Thanks Stesom...I actually just placed my order for the Ref3 last week...I agree that the Classe is a great pre (I had the CP-700) but something about the tubes......
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
stesom..you are right..hard to believe the backorder...i will keep you updated on my impressions once I get it.

Likewise, let me know what you think of the ARC amp. I am itching to try out the ARC cdp as well.

Now if only ARC would improve on the way their products look...
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
John..not sure if i can handle 32 days....how come you have to wait another 3 before setting it up?
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
crem1, I apologize but what is a T/P?
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
hey John! Remember my original post said I was sold on the Einstein The Tube. As you know, I did not want to spend that money so I "settled" on the ARC Ref 3. Perhaps if I had spent the big bucks and got the Einstein, I would still be sold on tubes. As it is, I am very happy with my silicon preamp but one of these days when I go really insane, I will probably try and get back into a tube pre. So like my wife, I reserve the right to change my mind and be fickle!
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