Tubed preamp suggestions?


Well I've finally decided to sell my Supratek Syrah. I loved it but the phono stage just wasn't for me. My AT 440ml MM was overloading it and I'm just not commited enough to vinyl for that good of a phono stage. The plan now is to get a nice tubed linestage and pair it with a high quality outboard phono stage that offers both mm and mc inputs. That would work with my current cartridge and allow for future upgrades. Some units I'm considering are the Joule Electra LA-100 MKIII and the Herron VTSP1A. They both sound appealing to me, the preamp will be paired with my Cary 300B Signature monos and Alon Lotus speakers. Either one of these linestages better, or better with my setup? Any others that I should be considering. This seems as if it's going to be a slow process since I can't seem to get any sellers respond to questions or potential offers! It's really strange, I've emailed 4 different people and have yet to get a single response. Ah well, it just gives me more time to ponder and solicit some opinions from you guys. Let 'em fly! And happy new year to everyone!!
128x128jond

Showing 3 responses by jond

Thanks for all the responses. To answer Metralla I think I can finance the two items by selling my Supratek. I thinking a Joule or Herron linestage for under $2K and a Camelot Lancelot Pro phono stage for $4-500 and I'm all set. Perhaps not quite the phono performance of the Supratek but pretty good and pretty versatile components that I can use with mm or mc.
Thanks again everybody but I've come to a decision. Just closed a deal for a Herron VTSP1A line stage and I am also going to pick up a Camelot Tech Lancelot Pro battery powered mm/mc phono stage. This should give me great sound and decent flexibility. I'm very excited and should have all the new gear here by the end of next week. Happy new year everyone!
Dannoh what preamps are you referring to? We need a brand name and model designation. As far as the tape inputs go, I concur, on all of my preamp I've run my cd player (primary source) in through the tape inputs bypassing the selector switch for a more direct signal path. The result seems to be a touch more transparency with no drawbacks.