Warm, rich but detailed SS preamp (made you give up tubes)

Museatex AVC1, beautiful spatial quality to it.  I’ve had many different tube & SS combinations over nearly 40 years in this hobby, and if you don’t want a tube preamp, then try to find one of these.

  I’m sure there are many other SS preamps that are nice sounding as well, but if I were you and I wanted the sound of a tube preamp, I’d buy a tube preamp.

Contact Steve at SMc Audio. All the sexiness of tubes, without the hassle. He will work with you to create solid state nirvana. He built me an amp and preamplifier and I am very satisfied.

audioguy85,

I agree Sudgen is great, have owned and own several pieces.  Actually still have an A21SE among others.  However, the OP queried about preamps, so that suggestion might be redirected to the Sugden Masterclass LA-4 which I’m sure is terrific.

Another ridiculously cheap and frighteningly good SS preamp is the ATC newer version.  I own that too.  It is quite good without being clinical.  Doubtful anything SS will quite pull off the warmth and acoustical properties of well designed AND executed tube gear.

If you are truly after the warm, spatial sound of tubes, go McIntosh and be done with it.