2. amps-preamps
  3. 191802-4635

Solid State Preamp to replace tube unit

I currently own a CJ tube preamp. Ive always owned tube preamps and I would like to get my first solid state preamp.I am fed up with buying expensive hard to find tubes that last 3 months or new production tubes with that not so great sound. I pine for consistency. I probably wont sell my CJ I'll just keep it. My power amps are NAD M23 for the summer and CJ Premiere 12's for the winter.

Since I dont dabble in the solid state world I am not sure what to get. I figure since this is my first SS unit 4-5k preowned??. Some brands I have considered CODA< Pass, AYRE, Classe, Bel Canto, Krell etc. Note: I have tried the Parasound and Benchmark but they didnt do it for me. I dont like anayltical sterile sound. If it is a touch warm/colored that is probably good as I am coming from a very warm CJ tube unit.

Must haves are a remote with balance control. Multiple outputs (XLR and RCA). I have an outboard phono pre. Thank you for reading and for your suggestions.

jimbones

Showing 4 responses by sls883

sls883
664 posts
 

I had a conrad-johnson PV-14L preamp. The best tubes were a little hard to find (Mullard M8080), but they lasted forever.  I upgraded to a Premier 17LS2, but it developed an issue and I returned it.

I went to a LTA MicroZOTL preamp.  It's not known be be overly warm sounding like the older c-j, so I was worried that I'd miss the warmth.  Don't miss it at all.  The LTA takes four tubes, but they last a long time.  The NOS Telefunken tubes that I like are a little pricey, but there are NOS Siemens tubes that are a close second for less money. 

sls883
664 posts
 

@jimbones  Did you ever try Philips Holland 7DJ8 / PCC88 tubes in the ET-5?  I bought a bunch of them for the 17LS2 (it takes four tubes).  I had read that they sound good and they last longer.  Tube Depot has them for $59.

I was bummed when I had to return the 17LS2, but in my opinion, the LTA sounds better. 

sls883
664 posts
 

Below is a link to the tubes that were recommended to me for the Premier 17LS2.  I believe they are NOS from the late 60's.  This is reportedly a longer lasting tube.  It's my understanding the c-j cranks up the juice on the tubes in some of their designs and that's why they have a short life span.  This wasn't the case in my PV-14L.  Those tubes lasted forever.

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/7dj8-pcc88

sls883
664 posts
 

I believe the Philps PCC88 tube that I linked earlier (Tube Depot) is/was being sold by c-j.  If I'm not mistaken, I was told the c-j buys that particular tube.  Below is a link from a post on another forum. That was one person's experience with tube rolling with the ET-5.  From what I've read, it is harder on tubes than some of the other c-j preamps.  The tubes in my PV-14L lasted for 10+ years.  I didn't have the Premier 17LS2 long enough to burn through any tubes. 

 

I am reporting back as promised. The tube I am using is the Philips E88CC, a NOS military tube from the 1960s. Jeff at cj can supply them. They are the best tube overall that I have tried. They sound warmer overall than the EH and hold up just as well. The EH tube is good too, sharper, brighter.
The Gold Lion 6922 sounded great, perhaps the best of all, but it got noisy very quickly.

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