2. amps-preamps
  3. 1227741737

Which tubed pre to "flesh out" my mids???

Hello all...It is finally time to insert a linestage between my Wadia 302 and ASL 1009's. Ultimate priorities are a rich, lush midrange, and a tight bottom end. My preference leans toward the euphonic side, but I can't sacrifice much detail or dynamics to get it. I won't get a chance to audition much stuff prior to purchasing since I'll be buying used off the net...so if anyone has a clue how some linestages will work within my system and to my stated taste, any help would be appreciated...TIA.

Some contenders are the Joule LA-150mk11, Cat Ultimate, Supratek (forgot the model), Hovland (forget the model again), basically anything under $3k used thought that may rule out the Cat.

System

Wadia 302
ASL 1009DT
Sonus Faber Guarneri
TG Audio ic & speaker cables
jman
monk
120 posts
 
Hey Tvad, I hear you on impedance mismastches... but not the case here, as my BC amp has a 100k input impedance.

The one thing with the BC preamps is the amount of gain too, as I do prefer the lesser gain of the Joule. Still dynamic!, quiet,... but more play with the volume pot with the Joule. And remote too!

I am just calling it as I heard it here, over a long honeymoon with both for an extended period of time head to head... really working hard to get the best of both in terms of setup/synergy... but neither is perfect...
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jman OP
99 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, every single one merits serious consideration. Another contender has entered my mind...the ASL Flora. Any experiences or thoughts how it mates with the ASL 1009's? I'm not sure that it is considered on the warm side of neutral?
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