Preamps-Tube

Jmc:
 I should correct my spelling

Brackert Labs Rhumba is the preamp
it has solid state rectification as does CJ , I think. The CJ et3 & et5 were forward and detailed in highs, et5 was much better highs  ( tie to Teflon caps?)

ive listened to a Cary Sli-80 and it had tube rectifiers & was very soft( I assume that is lush?) in the high end ( but an integrated)
it was listenable on highs, but soft, soft,  on the rest of Frequency spectrum

ive read that " Leben, Shindo, etc all " all use tube rectifiers ?

It's to bad I can't hear all the preamps in one spot ( lol)

never heard a Joule ( I think Cary & Joule are tube rectifiers, too)

Dazed and Confused

Jeff

The little dude called Cary AES, amused me the most when I tried that and became one of my most favorable tube preamp designs.

The Backert Labs preamps are pretty amazing, especially at that price. I've heard them in a number of systems and have always been impressed. I am guessing that they have a bright future. Cheers,
Spencer

I haven't had the pleasure of hearing either of Backert Labs new preamps but I am  familiar with the Backert's and what they look for in sound.  If you are looking for something to ameliorate upper midrange prominence I would look to cj.  The Backerts have always striven for a dynamic, tonally neutral sound.  Not saying there gear would be in anyway bright, just neutral through the audio frequency range.

Consider the Cary SLP-05 tube amplifier with tube rectifier power supply. In my experience it is "lusher" than the CJ. It was Densis Had's no holds barred pre-amp and is a real upgrade from the SLI-80. It is quite detailed and lush at the same time  It has a high output impedance, so you should have a high input impedance on your amp. Had is no longer with Cary, but they still sell and support the SLP-05.

Prima Luna is also popular with many, although I do not have any experience with it.