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Which Tube Preamp under $10K?

I am seeking to replace my Audio Research LS16. $10K is a hard upper limit which must include a phono stage. It matters not if it is built-in or a separate component, but It should be decent. So, in terms of a new line stage for $8500 or less, I'm currently considering The CJ CT5, one of the VACs, the VTL 6.5 and perhaps the BAT 31SE or not yet released ARC LS26. I am driving a pair of Bel Canto Evo 2 Gen II monoblocks which are driving B&W Nautilus 803s. I like the tube sound, maybe even on the sweet side for some tastes. The older CJ gear has always been a touch dark for me, but the newer stuff is said to have lightened up considerably. So, speed, dimensionality and a tubelike upper midrange are where I want to go with this purchase. All comments and suggestions welcome.
pscialli

Showing 2 responses by raquel

raquel
841 posts
 
This is where Judy 426 comes in and advises you to spend $5k on a preamp, and $5k for speakers to replace your B&W N803's. I agree with her (you did write "[A]ll comments and suggestions welcome").
raquel
841 posts
 
Atma-Sphere is supurb equipment -- well worth a listen.

Perhaps you already know this -- in buying a tube preamp to mate with a solid-state amp, it is important to make sure that the output impedence of the preamp and input impedence of the amp are appropriate for each other. The output impedence of some tube preamps can be quite high in the bass (e.g., BAT -- 3 kOhms), while the input impedence of some solid-state amps (vintage Rowland, professional gear) can be as low as 600 Ohms. As a (very) general rule, the input impedence of the amp should be at least ten times the output impedence of the preamp at all frequencies.
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