2. amps-preamps
  3. 1095897282

Good tube preamp w/ HT bypass

I've finally decided to snag an AVM30 for my pre-pro, and aragon 8008 amps for my amplification (or Sherbourne 7/2100 - I bought both, and will sell whichever I like less).

However, I keep hearing about tubes! I don't have any experience with them, but I'd love to give it a try. I've read that by combining SS amplification with tube preamps, I can preserve the bass control of the SS w/ the midrange of tubes.

SO - are there any preamps you can recommend to me to try and/or demo? I need it to have HT bypass, so I can use my HT rig separately from this...

I've read the Rogue Magnum 66 is good... The audio research sp-16l is supposed to be good... And the TAD-150 was recommended to me (http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/TAD-150.html) but I can't find any other information on it.

Non tube pres that have been recommended to me are the sonic euphoria plc and adcom 750; but i'm not sure if either would better the avm30.

Oh; budget would be $500-1000, used or new. Thanks for any recommendations!
kincade
kincade OP
22 posts
 
Forgot to mention; I'd like it to have a remote.

I also had sonic frontiers L1, mccormack rld-1 (is this solid state?), and arc ls1 to me...

Thanks again!
asonicyouth
120 posts
 
I love the Sonic Frontiers Line 3 or line 2. Both can be had with a remote
mattybumpkin
590 posts
 
How about a hybrid tube/ss pre like a belles 21A. It has remote and HT bypass. A little more than your budget though, around $1300-$1350 used.

Regards,
kincade OP
22 posts
 
I don't know too much about the belles; can you tell me a little more? It's SS and tube? Have you heard it against any of the other units above?

I looked at the mccormack; it's definitely SS. Good looking unit though!

Sonic; can you tell me a little more about the sonic frontiers units? Have you heard it against any of the units I listed above?

Thanks to both of you!
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
663 posts
 
i owned an arc sp-16l before i decided to sell it. it was a great tubed pre with ht bypass. i highly recommend it. i have no experience with the other pre's you list. i'm currently waiting on the arrival of a supratek chardonnay tubed pre for my two channel system.
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