2. amps-preamps
  3. 1402500030

Need advice on a tube line stage

I'm looking to add a tube line stage to the herd. It will partner with a Bryston 4B SST2 amp through Thiel CS2.4 and GoldenEar Triton 2 loudspeakers. Primary source is a Cambridge Audio 840C CD player.

Budget is ~ $1,500 up to maybe $2,500 (but that end of the budget would probably force me to sell my current Parasound JC2).

Some options appear to be:

Trancendent Sound Grounded Grid (new $900)
Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence 9 (new 1,400)
Modwright SWL 9.0SE (mint used $1,450)
Quicksilver Remote Control Line Stage (new $1,600)
Audio by Van Alstine FET Valve CF (new $1,900)
conrad-johnson Classic 2SE (new $2,200)
Audible Illusions L3 (new $2,500 with some $ voodoo)

I would like a slightly more liquid presentation than I currently get with my current rig. More "musical". I no longer value extreme transparency as much as I did, partially because I'm no longer mixing records and don't need my system to double as a reference. That said, I don't want anything overly soft or veiled.

Thoughts?
Ag insider logo xs@2xja2austintx
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Ja2austintx Hi, just to give another direction idea to you. Your Cambridge CDP has a very nice low output impedance at <50ohms and over 2v output this will drive virtually anything.

And your Bryston 4B SST2 has switchable gain of 1v or 2v input sensitivity for full output power.
If you select 1v on it and use this $99 passive pre that has a quality Alps Blue Velvet volume control. You will have more than enough gain, and the most transparent/dynamic sound, with most likely a more liquid presentation than what you are using at the moment.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Passive-preamplifier-ALPS-Potentiometers-/190836562928?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item2c6ebedbf0

Cheers George

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ja2austintx OP
64 posts
 
Hi George -- I actually have a couple of good passive preamps. I'll give one a shot just for fun. I do need to bring in more than just the CD player, though.
response34's avatar
response34
169 posts
 
Hi JA,
It will be interesting to see your findings with a passive unit(s). Curious as to which ones you will be trying.
I have found that passives and solid state amps don't provide the most potential the amp has to offer. There seems to be a lack of resolution and "drive" with passives.
After designing tube preamps for almost 20 years, I don't think I have 5 customers that prefer a passive unit. Not trying to start a debate of active vs passive but simply would like to hear about your findings.
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ja2austintx OP
64 posts
 
That is consistent with my previous experience; hence, I have a couple of passives that aren't being used. :)
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Wow thats great.
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