2. amps-preamps
  3. 1151528342

Trying out a tube preamp

Hello, all. I'm looking for some ideas. My 2-channel system consists of a Sony SCD777ES front-end, Bryston BP25 preamp, Bryston 4BSST amp, Audioquest Python and Caldera wires, and Totem Mani2 speakers. My listening room measures about 13 by 15 feet and is "dead" in character -- carpeting, sheetrock over concrete walls, bookcases, etc. Musical taste covers the spectrum.

I'm very happy with the system and have been enjoying it for a few years. But... you know how it goes. Lately I've been thinking of trying something different. I'm thinking a tube preamp in place of the BP25. Just a hunch that it might be a worthwhile change. Let's say the budget is up to USD$5000. Used is fine. Any recommendations on what would work well with the rest of my system?
128x128srestivo
twc
42 posts
 
Lector zoe and an aloia amp is what did it for me. It took another leap forward with a thor power conditioner. I have lived with it for a while now and I am still amazed. With good live recordings there is absolutely no sense of speakers in the room. Acoustic and voice would be hard to beat for my tastes. Keepers, although the aloia amp hums slightly.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,878 posts
 
The Lector Zoe is quite the preamplifier ,it has loads of headroom and it is miles better than the good T.A.S review done over 4 years ago now a mk-3 ,and being able to use 6 different tubes types let's you taylor the pre exactly to your ear.
70s 6h-30 Russian tube is a great tube for this excellent preamp.I have found No preamp in the $5k range that truly
betters this preamp in more than one dept,and I have tried several big named preamps ,one of the best buys in all of audio amd this also goes for their great
cd-7-Mk-3 player.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,878 posts
 
I would like to add that the preamp is still called the Zoe MK-2 even though their have been no less than 3 upgrade revisions since 07 that is why I called it a Mk-3
for the record.
gandme
212 posts
 
I also had a SS system for years. I tried the Audio Horizons 2.1. It sounded good in my system but not great. I knew I would need the full dress 2.1 for about $3400 or $3500 and then nos tubes. I had just sold my Pass Labs X-0.2 pre and wanted to replace it with something that matched or exceeded my existing level of sonics. I also wanted to extract $$$ from my system without degrading the music. I found it with a 1 year old Aesthetix Calypso...added nos tubes for $300...still put $1200 back in my pocket and could not be happier with the preamp. So I third the Aesthetix.
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
TRON Seven.

Try Jeff at Highwater Sound in NYC

Charlie
More to discover