2. amps-preamps
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Tube preamp for Bryston 7B-ST

I'm thinking about switching out my Bryston BP-25 preamp to a tube preamp. While my bass is solid, the midrange can sound congested with dense musical material. There are a number of choices with great reviews. Please help! I'd love to hear about your experiences combining tubes with SS amps, especially the 7B-ST's. Thanks in advance.
ozfly
jandu
17 posts
 
Sonic Frontiers L2 or Line 3 are good choices.
abstract7
541 posts
 
I like the idea of tube pre-amps with solid state amps. Tube pre-amps require little maintainance, tubes are generally reasonably priced. You can really get a great sound with this combination. However, I've listened to the Bryston preamp and have not found it to be congested in the mids. So I'm not sure that your switch will get you where you want to go. Have you listened to other pre-amps and did it make the mids sound better? Speakers, cabling, and the listening room (including speaker placement) can have a huge effect on the midrange. Since I don't now what you have it's hard to comment.
argent
245 posts
 
I have another thread open on nearly the same subject. I am looking to upgrade my CJ PV12 tube pre-amp that I run with my 4B-ST. I initially was looking at a SS pre-amp, but now I just read the review of the CJ Premier 17LS in Stereophile. I plan on auditioning it. If you are looking for good tube sound, give CJ a listen.
wirehead
140 posts
 
Ozfly: A friend of mine has the 7Bs and started with the BP - 25 and after several different go rounds ended up with the Lamm L1. Its been in his system for about a year - thats a record I think. The Lamm is tubed and he says (and I hear it) that it warms things up. The only issue is those pesky tubes. Good Luck
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