Look up in the archives for views on the Conrad-Johnson PV 10, various, PV 11 with or without phono or PV 12 with or without phono. Formerly owned the PV 11. All of these should be about 1,000. or less. All good products.
Tube Preamp suggestion for the uninitiated
I'm a graduating medical student from UW Madison, and have a relatively limited budget that involves selling off everything I own on ebay in order to afford nice audio equipment. (In case you wanted to know...)
Currently have some TAD Hibachi monoblocks and monitor audio RS6 towers, and I need some tube loving preamplification after my VDAC. I have about $900 but could scrounge up to $1k if deemed quite necessary.
Perhaps advice from someone who knows what they are talking about and has the freedom to buy and try a couple of preamps? Something with nice low end and to smooth out the highs? Please no advice if you've only owned one preamp and like it! That doesn't count!
Currently have some TAD Hibachi monoblocks and monitor audio RS6 towers, and I need some tube loving preamplification after my VDAC. I have about $900 but could scrounge up to $1k if deemed quite necessary.
Perhaps advice from someone who knows what they are talking about and has the freedom to buy and try a couple of preamps? Something with nice low end and to smooth out the highs? Please no advice if you've only owned one preamp and like it! That doesn't count!
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The original Quicksilver Full Function preamp has extremely low output impedance making it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers and cables. Look for the later version with 5AR4 rectifier and stay away from modified units. This preamp is over built by today's standards and has been replaced by a preamp listing for $4,000. Conrad Johnson PV-10 and PV-11 preamps are too boring. |
The only preamplifier I can think of in your price range would be an Audio Research (I owned a SP9 MK II, SP11)before moving on to more expensive BAT tube preamps. An intro to tube preamplifers: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1300393330&/Audio-Research-ls2b-mkii-great If you can stretch a bit/haggle I highly recommend this BAT preamp (I owned one for 8 years): http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1299011864&/BAT-VK30-tube-preamplifier I've heard good things about Rogue preamps, I haven't owned one but evidently it's a good value. Otherwise you're left with a variety of preamps from China: Jolida, Shanling, Shengda, Dared etc... |
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