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Tube Pre-Amp Recommendation

Im new to this forum but have spent few months reading into posts. The more i read the more i get confused on my first purchase of a Good quality Tube Pre-amp. At this very moment I have always used Solid states pre-amp but after hearing the Audio Research Arc Ref 5 and 3 I am on the upgrade bug. Considering these units cost allot of money I need some suggestion if there are other Tube Pre-Amp which can either match similar levels to the Arc Ref 5 or better it.

I am not bothered about name brands or looks of the unit rather on how it presents the music to me.
I have not own a Tube Gear before in my life, and not sure on how to go about it. BTW I am in Indonesia (A British Expat Working and Living Here)

Demoing unit is out of the question here, even buying a unit here is so much more expensive then back at home In the UK. I prefer to Buy from USA (Will use a Power converter if needed)

My Current Setup is:
Speakers: Philharmonics 3
Amplifier: Audio GD Master 2 Series Mono Blocks (Will Upgrade Later to Krell, Macintosh or Pass)
CD player: Oppo 95 Using on Board DAC for the time being. Looking to upgrade later on for DAC
Room: Heavily treated, with Foam, Acoustic Panels, Bass Traps in all 4 Corners.

Budget less than 6000 Dollars.

Need Performance Level Matching that of Arc Ref 5Se or better.

Need suggestion and opinion on how to go about this. I prefer fasting sound more to neutral. Slight warm but not too much. I did find Cary SLP05 Pretty Warm, however on Ebay it slipped my fingers otherwise I was going to pull the trigger on that. I will being pairing this with Solid State Amplifier don’t want to get into Power Amps using Tubes for the next few years at least.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks Guys
dragon_vibe
russellrcncom
311 posts
 
"I could believe the joy the dude brings but it lacks enough information online to justify the cost for those who can’t listen to it."

Bit of an understatement, don't you think?

I couldn't believe the lack of info. on TRL's website.

5 tubes. $6000. Pay me.

You gotta be kidding

melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
My advice would be look for a good 2nd hand Ayon CD-5s on the 'Gon. You should be able to pick one up for about $6k on a haggle. The CD-5s has a more musical sounding dac than your Oppo & factory stock the built in preamp sounds better than an ARC Ref 3. With upgraded output tubes the CD-5s would give an ARC Ref 5 a good run for it's money. Plus you're getting a much superior transport at the same time. If you want to know how to push the performance of the 5s closer to an ARC Ref 5SE, send me a PM and I can give you some advice on some cost effective upgrade options. If you can make do with 1 xlr, 1 rca & various digital inputs, then in your system this would be my first choice.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Guys, Guys, Guys!

I don't own a Dude, but I have heard one in a friend's system. He was a very happy owner. The guy who builds them isn't asking for this attention. He isn't trolling or posting. Unless someone posts a personal experience with his actual gear that was negative, a disservice is (however unintentionally) being done here.

I have no dog in this fight other than a general regard for the feelings of people who are minding their own business. It's time to let this guy continue to make an honest living (there's no evidence I've been able to find that should inpugn his itegrity)

How would *you* like to find a lengthy discussion on line about whether or not *you* are honest when no one actually has evidence or a complaint? It's hard to unring a bell, so let's please stop ringing it.
westv12
3 posts
 
I too was put off by the lack of information on the Dude website. No one is asking for fancy advertising with nice interactive screens; Up to date pics with some specs would suffice. Also wasn't fond of the correspondence via email with Paul. I guess its hit or miss with him. I ended up buying a Canary pre which i'm very happy with. You should check out the Canary CA-906, well within your price range used and an excellent pre. All the pre amps yo have listed are excellent products though so either way you'll be getting a good product.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,467 posts
 
Ya who really cares about websites. It's about the sound and unless you
have heard, then perhaps your words are noise. The best speakers I
have heard are from a one man company with a website you would also
moan about - Intuitive Design. who cares. Don't buy if you need a good
website. Pretty simple.

Fact is you will miss some of the best sounding gear. I have heard gear
from awesome looking websites that make my ears hurt. Really? Websites
play no roll in the way gear sounds.
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