2. amps-preamps
  3. 993509371

Upgrading to Tube; Amp or Preamp

I am currently looking to upgrade my existing system a piece at a time. I currently have a set of Vandersteen 2ce Sigs, VPI mkIII w/RB250 Origin Mod w/Dynavector cartidge, Adcom 565 Preamp, Adcom 555 mkII w/Musical Concept mod, and a Rega Planet CD. I have a rather small listening room, 15x18 w/vaulted ceilings and want to migrate to tube gear. I have heard the Rogue 120 amps and 99 preamp on the Vandersteens and thought they sounded marvelous.

I am into analogue mostly classical, jazz, and some rock. My budget is in the $2000 dollar range and since I want to get as big a bang for the big would it be best to replace the Preamp or Amp. The Adcom gear is a little too bright and the soundstage and imaging are not near (imagine that)what I heard with the Rogue combo. I like the Vandersteens alot but have heard that they get a little too laid back with tube gear. My aim is to put about two to three thousand in my system a year until my wife stops me.

Look forward to the suggestions, oh yeah getting rid of my wife is not an option (ha, ha).
rav1952
zig
8 posts
 
I believe that the preamplifier is where the money should go first. There are some super used deals on Audiogon at the moment. No need to spend more than $1000. I saw products by Quicksilver, Anthem, Audio Electronic Supply,
VTL and Cary over the last few days that would all be excellent "no risk"choices.
travis's avatar
travis
239 posts
 
I think 'wellfed' is a mite optimistic regarding Atma-Sphere used prices....$2500 would be a little more like it and maybe that would include the phono stage. I owned a 565 for a couple of years and a friend of mine still owns one. It's a very good preamp. Maybe the phono isn't the best, so perhape looking for a stand-alone phono would make a little more sense. There are a bunch out there on the used shelf for reasonable prices, but that's another story. BTW, I own a new Atma-Sphere MP-3 with phono stage, it's quite something.
wellfed's avatar
wellfed
690 posts
 
I agree with Travis that I am being a little optimistic about the price of a used Atma-Sphere MP-3 linestage. My brother picked one up on eBay about 3 months ago for $1,950 so it is not outside the realm of possibility. They do not come along very often but are worth serious consideration if you can find one. I am sure Travis is REALLY enjoying his music as are my brother and myself.
travis's avatar
travis
239 posts
 
I plan to enjoy it even more when my speakers arrive, hopefully very, very soon. Best to you, Wellfed.
wellfed's avatar
wellfed
690 posts
 
Thanks Travis. What speakers are you getting?
More to discover