Why don't you try the Rothwell attenuators for when you want to use the 6SN7 output of the preamp. Sure cheaper than a new amp.
Vacuum Tube Preamp for Solid State Power Amp Pairing
I’ve recently discovered the world of vacuum tubes and recently purchased a Willsenton R8 which I’m enjoying very much.
I also have a solid state Chord Electronics SPM 1050mkii power amp (200w into 8ohms) and am now curious what sound I could achieve by the marriage of a tube preamp paired with my beefy solid state power amp.
As I’m a tube newbie I figured it would be sensible to lean on the considerable experience of the Audiogon community and plunder some recommendations.
I like the look of the PS Audio BHK signature Pre (preowned) but it’s pushing my budget, although if you guys think it’s a winner I can save a few more buttons..! Also I’m aware of the Shiit Freya + which seems well reviewed and appears to be a good value proposition, but apart from these 2, I’m not really sure what else is out there…
So, over to you guys to work your magic, recommendations please!
Budget is circa £2-£3k and MUST have a remote control! :)
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I use an original version Schiit Freya (NOS GE tubes) with either a Dennis Had Firebottle HO SEP tube amp or a Pass XA-25. No impedance matching issues just great sound from "Class A" (except for the Had amp...somewhat rarer it seems) components. Spend more if you wish but this preamp is amazing, and the "original" version keeps the tubes on even when listening to one of the passive modes which allows instant switching. The new "+" version has you wait for the tubes to warm up...no biggie. |
@jackd I do that, but I just don’t feel it to be the best solution. |
I'd be looking for a quality preowned line stage. Thinking an Aesthetix, Calypso Signature or, if cash flow permitted, a Con-Jon Act2 or ARC Reference 5. The latter 2 are in the $5-$6K range and the Calypso maybe a bit less? 3 very different tube strategies but all equally excellent. Keep the phono stage off-board. Just my opinion. |
My advice would be first and foremost you have a high quality amplifier. Stay in the same league or higher. Don't buy a piece of shiit. Don't be afraid of an older high end unit the Hovland was considered one of the best preamplifier s made at the times as well as the bad boy audio research and CJ models. A little known American made company that you will find cheap would be a canary audio. Look for either the best one that was in four boxes completely seperate channels and separate power supplies or the two box one with seperate power supplies and internationally separate like the four box model. Also don't be afraid of a sonic frontier preamplifier number three. That would have balanced in and out. Go for a high quality preamplifier before you worry about a cheap one with a remote. |
My recommendation would be for the 6SN7 based preamp the Cary Audio SLP-98L. Beautiful unit with remote power supply chassis and an uncanny realistic tone quality but I fear the gain would be too much for the Chord amp and the Rothwell attenuators did not work well for me. The Rogue Audio units are fantastic but I recommend to stay mid-range and go with the RP-5. I had the RP-7 and it was too burnished and polite sounding and did not respond well to any NOS tubes. The RP-5 sounds smooth and still retains excellent detail. Nice looking unit too. |
The recommendation for the Primaluna Evo 400 preamp above is good. I used to use one on my primary system and, in fact, it’s sitting on a shelf currently awaiting use in my to-be built system in my vacation home. I really like their looks and sound in most circumstances. Gave just the amount of tube sound I wanted. i did get a weird feedback when listening to certain albums (consistently certain Rolling Stones tracks) at high volume with the Evo 400. Running balanced into Classe Delta Monoblocks and from a Van den Hul Grail SE phone amp. Couldn’t ever resolve it. Switched to a Nagra HD preamp (also tube) and it went away. The Nagra is markedly better in all ways, so I’ve never switched back on my system. But they’re generally pretty pricey and not necessary for most systems. |
I have Supratek's Chardonnay. Funny as I told Mick to make the best sounding preamp he could, price no object and he settled on the Chardonnay. Cost $3700, usually $2650 st the time. I know the Cabernet is supposedly better or the Grange but I'm thinking he took me at my word as wanting nothing too euphonic, And yes, pretty most all his 6SN7 preamps have gain control |