2. amps-preamps
  3. 133998-18991

Falling out of love with tubes

I’ve owned an EICO ST-70 for eight years.  It’s modified and upgraded to the max, but with budget tubes. 

I just got got a Conrad Johnson SA-250 for a steal.  I plugged it in and it has blown my mind.  I feel like I’m hearing my music for the first time! So much detail I never noticed before!

I’m selling the EICO and will use the money for a preamp.   The SA-250 amp sounds kind of sterile/clinical to me.  Very unforgiving of a mediocre recording.

***Will using a preamp instead of going direct from my computer or tape sweeten the sound, even if it’s the solid state CJ Sc26 preamp?

***Will I lose the detail I hear if I get an older CJ tube pre in my price range? (Pv-10al) 

I’m listening to Silverline Prelude tower speakers, anticables level 2 speaker wires, anticables level 1 interconnects, and Denon dvd-2200 for CD, parasound zphono USB for my Supex SDX-1000  mc cartridge.  (Haven’t tried anything but phone, computer and cassette since I don’t have a preamp) 

Thanks in advance for your input. 
audibleaudio
mesch
3,419 posts
 
You need a preamp and a DAC. Using the headphone output is not ideal. 

I agree that the SA 250 should be checked out.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

Why should it be checked out? He's saying it sounds excellent. My brother also has an SA-250 and it sounds excellent too. I guess it could sound more excellent if it is recapped but not required.

I also think your EICO was probably a sub par amplifier, modded or not. The Sonographe amps were not super lively even when new.

j_stereo
130 posts
 
I also have an SA-250 and I agree (in my opinion) they are a great sounding amp.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Get a First Watt F5! A killer amp by the master Nelson Pass! 25 watts of the BEST class A sound you will ever hear!
j_stereo
130 posts
 
To audibleaudio - Just to add to my posting about the SA-250 being a good sounding amp.  When I compared at the time to Bryston 3B-NRB and McCormack DNA 0.5 with my associated equipment and in my listening room, the SA-250 held its own or was better.  I would suggest as you mentioned getting a pre-amp however. Also regarding the statement you mentioned about hearing detail you never heard before, this does not surprise me. When I was younger and just started experimenting with equipment I had some old Heathkit monoblock tube amps and a Heathkit tube Preamp although I don't remember the model numbers. This old equipment was hailed as being very smooth and pleasing to the ear and it sounded great to me at the time. Then I listened to a song (on album of course) on my fathers system which consisted of an Audio Research SP3A Preamp and a Dual 75 Amp.  This was in the early 1970's. I heard detail and sounds in the song I never even heard before. Then I began to understand. Although a lot of the old tube amps (Eico, Heathkit, Dynaco) are very sought after, they are pleasing to listen to, but far from state-of-the art. I still appreciate them, but I can hear the difference even though I am getting old now and my ears are not so great any more after working around industrial machinery so long. Anyway good luck in your quest. 
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