Tube Preamps...I'm sold

Tboooe,

Just curious what decision you made on a new preamp. I was really surprised to read that you were pursuing a preamp outside of the CP-700. That is one of the best preamps out there, can be had for significantly less than its $7000 MSRP, and surpasses any preamp I have heard in or near its range (tube or otherwise). I have had the opportunity to hear it in a system I am very familiar with, and it was a best in class. Bettered the new Audio Research LS26 (which is $6500 MSRP). Not even close in performance.

Please update on what you have auditioned, when you have the opportunity.
Thanks.

mcrheist:

I have not decided on a tube pre yet. If money was no object I would get the Einstein The Tube preamp but its $14K!!!. The CP-700 is indeed a very nice preamp but a bit too smooth for my tastes. There is something about tubes that just adds the texture in the midrange that I am looking for. Right now, my shortlist includes BAT VK-52se, VAC, ARC, and Cary....I hope to make a decision soon.

If you are going with ARC, you will need to move up to the REF 3 to supercede what you already own. If you are not hearing the differences between a CP-700 and something lesser in the ARC line, then there is something wrong with the synergy of the system (speakers, sources, cables, etc). The only ARC preamp that would give your Classe a run for its money, would be the ARC REF 3 preamp, and that would not be by much. In my opinion, definitely not a $3500 difference.

I know all of this equipment well, and would regret to see anyone make a mistake in an expensive upgrade option, even if they had money to burn. In my opinion, there is not a manufacturer that gives your CP-700 a run for its money other than the Einstein. Sometimes it takes a signficant financial investment to receive a true upgrade in system. Otherwise, it appears a unilateral move is being made.

mcrheist, good thoughts. I will be auditioning all the preamps I listed. One point to consider though, to me good tube preamps sound fundamentally different from good ss preamps. So while the Cp-700 is indeed a great preamp, it still does not give the sound that tubes do, which is what I am after. So in this case, it is not about the other preamps being better than the CP-700, but rather different and better suited to my tastes.

Don't forget Wyetech Opal, which may be the best of all and because it is only sold directly by mfr., is a very reasonable $8600. If you had normal dealer markup, marketing, ad costs, it would be $12K-$15K. And it is built to last a lifetime.

Neal