2. amps-preamps
  3. 1115460701

Good preamp for Vandersteen and McCormack

I currently have a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe feeding my Vandersteen 2CE sig. Currently I am using a Rotel RC995 preamp, left over from my old system. What are some preamps that may match well with my system? My roomate uses a DIY Bottlehead Foreplay for his Mac/JBL setup, and I am beginning to understand and appreciate "tube sounds".

I don't want to part with my McCormack, and my budget is less than $1000. I like listening to acoustic music, and I love my rock and electronic stuff too.

Should I stay with SS or would a tube preamp fit the bill? I know such questions are hard to answer, since they are based on preferences and other issues that are hard to quantify. What are some good suggestions? Personal experiences would be helpful.

Thanks a lot...
drewyou
eagleman6722
217 posts
 
I have the DNA-1 through the 2CE signatures with a Tube Audio Design-150. Highly recommend. You can get the TAD-150 from Bizzy Bee audio for less than 1K. Has phono also...

Eagleman
shersta
140 posts
 
I run 2ce's (non-sig) w/ a dna .5 dlx. I've tried two pre's in my system--a conrad johnson pv10al and an audible illusions 2d--both can be had for under 500. The cj was lusher and more romantic, the ai is more dynamic and seems to have a greater frequency range. The ai also has a very nice phono stage (though you can find this feature on some pv10's as well). I stuck with the ai. In your price range, you could move up the line to a ai m3 or cj pv11 or pv12. Both companies' products hold their value very well (I used my pv10 for two years and sold it for exactly what I paid for it).
south_park
103 posts
 
I have the 2Ce and ran them with a BAT VK-200 amplifier, an Aleph 3, a counterpoint SA-100 and an old Adcom. Preamp is a sonic frontiers line 2 (tube). Best results were using the Line 2 with the BAT VK-200, which seems similar to your situation. You can get a used line 1 for less than $1000, which still has many of the virtues of the Line 2. I'd recommend it based on my experience with the Line 2.
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