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Tube preamp recommendations $3K-$7K range

I am considering replacing my solid state preamp with a tube pre. I plan keep my solid state amp. Also, my DAC/PSU are tubed. Am looking in the $3K-$7K range. Based on reviews and audio forums, I have narrowed my search to the three units below:

PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium
Backert labs Rhythm or Rhumba Extreme
Modwright LS 36.5

A bit of background: I purchased my Haflers in the mid '80's (!) to replace my venerable Marantz college dorm unit (along with Polk SDA2's to replace no-name bookshelf units an audiophile uncle bequeathed to me. I vividly recall his aquamarine glowing McIntosh amp, Thorens turntable and Thiel floor standers that were as tall as I was at the time...)

The dealer had modded the Haflers by Musical Concepts, which was my first exposure to John Hillig's work.

Last year I invested in Musical Concepts' most recent Hafler upgrades for my amp, preamp and cdp. Not much is written online about John's mods, but to my ear the improvement was astounding in every way my ear could measure. Since that time, I've continued on the upgrade path to my current system with which I am very happy.

Yet, I am curious about what tubes will do to my system. My current system (with which I am very satisfied) is:

Hafler DH 220 Amp/Musical Concepts PA6 Elite Ultra Mod
Hafler DH 110 Preamp/ Musical Concepts LXII Elite Mod
Musical Concepts modded Rotel 1072 CDP//Musical Concepts Elite Mod
Modwright tube modded Oppo Sonica DAC with Modwright external tube PSU

Harbeth m30.1 monitors
Dual HSU VTF1 MK3 subs
DSpeaker Anti-Mode 8033-S

Fidelizer Nimitra Computer Audio Server as Roon core
Fidelizer Nikola LPS

Goertz BP 1000 VA Balanced Power Conditioner
Furutech e-TP60 Power Distribution Unit

After market ICs/PCs:
Wywires Silver Juice II PCs and Modwright Umbilical
Shyunyata Venom 14 PC
Synergistic Research Element Tungsten and Accelerator ICs and PCs with Michael Spallone V2 modded MPCs

WDMycloud NAS

Listening room for near field listening is 12x10x8; opens to larger living area where I do much listening as well.

I welcome any input or recommendations you may have.
Regards,
Daniel


128x128cantorgale
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,610 posts
 
JFET is the way to go :-)

http://www.libertyaudio.com/products/b2b-2-line-level-preamp-dac

Good Listening

Peter
wolf_garcia
6,635 posts
 
My Freya has JFET, passive, and tube. So it's passive-aggressive.
limniscate
241 posts
 
I had the Aesthetix Calypso Signature and replaced it with an ARC Ref5SE. The Ref5SE was significantly better.
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,194 posts
 
I would hope the ARC Ref 5SE is better than the Calypso at more the double the retail selling price.

How does it sound running single ended?   I've heard that ARC gear sounds far better in balanced mode, which has kept me from trying their  preamps, as I'd have to buy new XLR interconnects and both of my tube amps are single ended only.
limniscate
241 posts
 
I use single-ended to my Sanders Magtech, and it sounds great. I used balanced from my DAC to the pre though.
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