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
coppy777
150 posts
 

Sorry if I missed it but what does Jeff Fischel at C-J have to say about your noisy tube issues and does he have a recommended tube for you?

chenry's avatar
chenry
214 posts
 

Since you are already in the rarefied heights of CJ, I would suggest McIntosh C55 as a starting point. It seems to have everything you want.

Less expensive, but not budget-level, would be Pro-Ject Pre-Box RS2, which is balanced I/O, has a dual channel DAC and a selectable tube output (for speakers) and a headphone amp (ss), all in a small form factor.

tkrtrb125
373 posts
 

SPL

at0310t's avatar
at0310t
13 posts
 

Ayre ... over the past 10+ years I've owned the K5-Xemp, the KX-5 Twenty and now the KX-R Twenty.  They were all on the warm side and what changed as I upgraded was resolution.

krell_fan1's avatar
krell_fan1
100 posts
 

If you can find a used Krell KCT you will have found one of the most sublime preamplifiers ever designed.

I presently own a Mola Mola Makua preamp that is priced WELL below its weight. It’s not inexpensive at around 15k. It can support up to five turntables I believe. It’s every bit as good as anything I’ve heard in my life and maybe you can find one used.  I have a dealer friend who doesn’t handle the line but knows it intimately through other friends of his and states that one must spend over $35,000 to get anything that sounds better.  

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