I had a conrad johnson pv-12. It has been out of production for some time but it has a very warm, traditional tube sound. For me it was a bit too warm but I was using it with a tube amp with el34's so it might too much because the amp was warm also. I also had a sonic frontiers sfl 1. That was a very good sounding preamp. A bit more transparent than the pv12 but still very easy to listen to. One other thing you might consider is a passive preamp. I know that for me the preamp either makes or brakes the system more than any other component. I haven't heard anything under 3k that I would take over a passive (take into account I have not heard every product so there might be something out there I do not know about). If you are having a problem with brightness, a passive or very good active might take care of it; as opposed to just getting something that sounds warm. As for your 2nd question, find out what order makes the pop and do it the other way.
Warm tube preamp for under 1000
Hey guys I am looking for a warm sounding tube preamp with a budget of 1000. Phono stage would be a bonus but is not necessary. I will be hooking it up to a Plinius sa-100 Mkiii amplifier. Here are some that I have been looking at:
1) Cary SLP-74
2) Primaluna prologue 3
3) Cary AES
4) Possibly a Conrad Johnson preamp
I have one more question for you guys. I have heard that there is a certain order when turning on/off a tube preamp that is hooked up with a SS amp. Which is the correct order and why is this? Thanks!
1) Cary SLP-74
2) Primaluna prologue 3
3) Cary AES
4) Possibly a Conrad Johnson preamp
I have one more question for you guys. I have heard that there is a certain order when turning on/off a tube preamp that is hooked up with a SS amp. Which is the correct order and why is this? Thanks!