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.
allenf1963buy a replacement tube set now, and an inexpensive tube tester, it will take the dread out of your life, listen without concern!!! you could install the new ones and keep your old ones that test good as spares. It's always good to have a few spares so you can have music while you research replacements. test the tubes you buy when you receive them, live near 07062, I'll test them here.
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@allenf1963 You are welcome. I strongly suggest either Brent Jesse Brent Jesse Recording Supply or Andy Bowman at Vintage Tube Services. Both have fantastic knowledge, test equipment and in the case of Brent a 30 day warranty on nos tubes. He offers precision curve tracer matching for what i consider to be reasonable $. They will both typically have some Mc branded tubes as well. The 225 and 240 use a very unique output transformer and in the case of the 240 amazing bandwidth and extraordinary low phase shift. Difficult, massive and certainly expensive to manufacture. The 275 is a brute ( in its day ) but imo lacks the 240 finesse. Finally… the 240 i run has been lovingly modified w HK style regulators and a bunch of Russian paper in oil capacitors… photos on my vintage system page have fun. |
@tomic601 -- I have bought from Brent Jesse when I was getting tubes for my new Reisong A10 (absolutely amazing little amp -- I saw a review by Steve Guttenberg and thought "What the hell". It cost me a total of $345 and that included shipping! Paid another $120 for upgraded tubes. Awesome amp for my bedroom streaming system). I looked at your pictures...beautiful.
@elliottbnewcombjr -- I agree with your comment! I try to keep a back up set of tubes for all my amps and preamps -- the MC225 is the only one I haven't purchased them yet. Your suggestion makes great sense...start using the new set and keep the originals as back ups/nostalgia.
@dogearedaudio -- I bet those monoblocks were sweet. I've seen a couple for sale and they aren't cheap! And the tubes aren't either! |
@ Jimbones My personal experience - I have owned and loved playing an Ayre K-5xeMP preamp for many years. Eventually, I wanted to try a good tube preamp and bought a ARC Ref 6SE. A used Ayre K-5xeMP now costs 1/10th of the new ARC, but is surprisingly good for the money. It is different than the ARC, but it has the clarity, tone and voicing of a high-end preamp, but different sounding than the ARC (SS has a little faster attach and decay). At this level, you may want to demo a few to see which provides the best sound (to your ears, that day) with YOUR other gear. If I were buying a used SS pre, I would also look at Pass and Classe, yet knowing what I know, I expect that the Ayre outperforms, dollar-for-dollar. |
