3 great tube preamps. Which would you purchase?

jred,

atmosphere nailed it XLR for the maximum win, at least with proper xlr cables

IMHO hi-end AIN'T hi-end unless it is differentially balanced. Alas most reviewers don't seem to understand that and test xlr kit with non xlr kit and even more bizarrely state in their review that they didn't hear any difference. I stopped writing to hi-end magazine editors about this stupidity over a decade ago. It falls on deaf ears: Go Figure

That aside, you don't really need a tube preamp to get 3D sound. I had it with PS Audio Stellar GC dac and have it with my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5. My amp is AA DPA-1 (class D) 

For cabling I highly recommend WireWorld. You can get really good deals on their 7 series now that they've introduced the 8 series

hth

I was running a Peachtree Nova 220SE that I really liked.  I also have a sub optimal room and my listening position is near field which has always caused issues with sounndstage.  I just replaced the Peachtree with a microZOTL and it really is an amazing piece.  The clarity and soundstage are incredible.  I know it won't be for everyone because of the limited inputs, but I primarily listen to digital, with second being vinyl so I am only using 2 inputs.  It also has a great headphone amp.

Hey all.

First off. Thanks to everyone whom chimed in, and offered keen advice along with recommending additional manufacturers.

Don Sachs Model Two seems to be the best bang for the buck.

LTA Microzotl. I was pretty keen on. Though when reading the users manual.

“There is a clicking sound when the volume is changing that comes from the relays controlling the volume level”.

Typo???

Can anyone confirm that is true pertaining to the LTA Microzotl.

deHavilland’s preamps look pretty sweet as well. I’ll have to definitely email the company.

Audio Note additionally looks like a great contender, though I believe they are SS??

I have some work cut out here. Though the advice that was offered helped tremendously.

I’m pretty content with my current system with the Dac fed directly to the amp. No degradation.

I’m researching the tube preamp market for the holographic sound to tie all together. My current system has plenty of slam and prat. Though. My system will not provide that warm spatial sound of tubes. No regrets here. A tube preamp would be the next step.

Hence the quest.

Thanks again!!

I will try my best to post as progress matures a bit.

My Best,

J

Can't wait to hear about your journey!  I was in a similar spot a few months ago, paralyzed by preamp choices, but then realized through reading/oping similar discussions that as long as I stayed with a digital source w/good volume control, it was wiser for to spend my hifi $$$ on other upgrades first.  

Speaking of choices, curious why ARC, BAT, Aesthetix didn't make the short list?  

BTW, in searching through forum threads researching tube preamps, I came across this review, which in my book is a stone cold classic of the genre -  https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-aesthetix-calypso-line-stage-tube-preamp?highlight=aesthetix%2Bpreamp%2Breview

You may also want to check out the Herron VTSP-3A or VTSP 360. I would describe the sound the way jtcf describes the LTA, which I have heard and is excellent. To the Herron I would add impeccable timing--the PRaT factor is very high and the dynamics are excellent. An underrated performer among tube designs.