2. amps-preamps
  3. 193215-198816

Used tube preamps, Cary, AR, Aesthetix, Wells...........or?

Having searched over the last year or so for a different preamp, I have been attracted to the Cary SLP 98 more times than not but I know it has many different incarnations and this seems to be important. The one I put an offer on is 8 years old and no upgrades are known. No real idea how this compares with others. The deal is by no means a lock. They have plenty of others that I would consider.

I have also found an AR Reference Mk II. It is 10 years old so not sure if that is good or bad but I'm sure it would be one that I would enjoy. It has a choice of xlr and rca for every connection. Only one I know of like this, at least in my searches. It is also designed to drive two amps, so is the Cary but the Cary is only set up this way with rca connections. I have never used balanced circuitry even though I've had it as an option. Most of what I've read says that you gain 6 db in gain. Is that the only advantage or is that even an advantage? I for one, do not know.

I have also found Aesthetix, both Rhea and Calypso. The Rhea is more in my price range but used, either is a possibility. They get mentioned here and there. Not sure what to think.

Another find is a Wells Audio Commander Level 2 Class? 2. No idea on these. Not heard anyone speak on them. 

Yet another has been the Dodd, battery powered unit. Haven't heard much but the ones who have them, say their search is over. Interesting. Happy to hear from anyone with any experience on these or others. I know there are tons to choose from but many are difficult to find as well. 

I bought several different preamps that were supposed to be "bargain finds" but none lived up to the one I'm trying to replace. If I'd been smart, I would have been more patient and put all my eggs in one basket instead of fooling around with all the others. It has been an interesting journey, just the same and I now have several pieces to sell or trade. Not necessarily a good thing but as I say, it's been an interesting journey and I have more to go. Thanks for any and all input.

Bill

billpete
billpete OP
38 posts
 

atmasphere

Thanks very much for that. My Cary is getting to that age, so are my amps. Next system upgrades may be the amps. I may just have them rebuilt, which would put them back in shape for another 30 years or so. I have zero complaints about them. If I ever did think about replacing them, it would likely be something that is class A, which can get into stilly money. Not likely to happen, since I can have mine rebuilt for a reasonable amount. I can do them  one at a time, back down to running one at a time until both were done. 

awise1961
68 posts
 

Congratulations on the Aesthetic Calypso. I owned an Aesthetix Callisto Eclipse preamp and Rhea Signature phono stage for some years prior to changing over to an all Conrad Johnson system. For 6922 style tubes, I had preferred either late 60's Siemens CCa's or ECC88's. 

decooney
2,237 posts
 

@awise1961 Congratulations on the Aesthetic Calypso. I owned an Aesthetix Callisto Eclipse preamp and Rhea Signature phono stage for some years prior to changing over to an all Conrad Johnson system. For 6922 style tubes, I had preferred either late 60’s Siemens CCa’s or ECC88’s.

 

It's interesting when we see members move from a capable product set to something else like in your case. Possibly looking for a particular signature of sound you were aware of (???) -or- just to make a change since they’ve been with the prior components for a while, this happens too - people just want to try something else of course. @awise1961 gotta question for ya if I may ask. 

Sometimes friends of mine do this too, in an attempt to steer back towards something they had or knew well in the past, looking to recapture that "sound".

  • What were some of the reasons you decided to switch from your prior (capable) components to the "all Conrad Johnson system", if you don’t mind sharing more?
billpete OP
38 posts
 

awise

Thanks for this. A buddy of mine had Siemens tubes in his CJ preamp. They did a very nice job . I don't think I have any Siemens in my collection but I might. I bought large lots of tubes many years ago. I look through groups of them every now and then to try and figure out why I did but I do find a good one here and there that I can use. I also bought a whole sales kit of NOS Sylvania tubes. I don't remember what all is in it but it was cheap and it was a lot of tubes. I also used to find NOS Sylvania Gold Pin (triple mica) 5751's for $30 or so, used ones for around $15 to $18. I bought all I could find at those prices and I'm glad I did. That was over 20 years ago and I still have them all. Anyway, thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. 

billpete OP
38 posts
 

Russ69

What AR's did you have? Just wondering. I read mostly favorable comments on AR, especially from the 5 and 6 series. Funny how this stuff goes. I think a lot of people have upgraditis. I'm not really one of them.

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