2. amps-preamps
  3. 1402500030

Need advice on a tube line stage

I'm looking to add a tube line stage to the herd. It will partner with a Bryston 4B SST2 amp through Thiel CS2.4 and GoldenEar Triton 2 loudspeakers. Primary source is a Cambridge Audio 840C CD player.

Budget is ~ $1,500 up to maybe $2,500 (but that end of the budget would probably force me to sell my current Parasound JC2).

Some options appear to be:

Trancendent Sound Grounded Grid (new $900)
Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence 9 (new 1,400)
Modwright SWL 9.0SE (mint used $1,450)
Quicksilver Remote Control Line Stage (new $1,600)
Audio by Van Alstine FET Valve CF (new $1,900)
conrad-johnson Classic 2SE (new $2,200)
Audible Illusions L3 (new $2,500 with some $ voodoo)

I would like a slightly more liquid presentation than I currently get with my current rig. More "musical". I no longer value extreme transparency as much as I did, partially because I'm no longer mixing records and don't need my system to double as a reference. That said, I don't want anything overly soft or veiled.

Thoughts?
Ag insider logo xs@2xja2austintx
thankful
222 posts
 
I suggest the Exemplar Audio Exception line stage. There is one currently on this site. You could probably get in it for $2500. Very musical with that liquidity that will blow your mind.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
The Modwright is pretty neutral. Not obviously tubed sounding and I think a very good value. It was not embarrassed when I got one to use while a $10K VAC was in the shop. Excellent customer service, too.
response34's avatar
response34
169 posts
 
If you are interested having a tube preamp custom built with the options you want, we do a lot of custom builds. Of course doing comparisons going this route is not possible.
keithtexas
352 posts
 
+1 on the Joule Electra.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
For me there are so many tube options out there and you really do need to hear them in person. You can change the sound of nearly any tube pre by rolling tubes and drive yourself crazy. I've been a tube guy for years until I switched to Ayre, which I've found is as tube sounding as you get in SS gear. I personally like the Ayre better than the tubes. I have owned CJ, AR, AI and Quicksilver. Loved them all for various reasons and I traded up each time. I just got burned out changing tubes etc..., but that's me.

I've heard one Mod Wright upgrade and it made a huge difference, so I bet their pre is wonderful. I've liked Rogue, Quick and AI for the price, but overall it's so hard to beat AR gear. It's just built like a tank and they stand behind their gear. Most of the AR guys I know don't bother rolling tubes. The factory does a great job at sourcing the proper tubes to begin with.

I guess I'd start out at AR and go from there if I were to get back into tubes. Too bad Aesthetix gear isn't in your price range as their stuff sounds AWESOME.......I guess I'd have to audition AR and Aesthetix gear first.. YEs, that's my start, lol. Great luck
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