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Tube Preamp Recommendations?

Hello, I'm a newbie to this forum.  I'm on the hunt for a new tube pre-amp.  I think.  It is replacing an aging PSE Hybrid Line Stage 1 preamp.  Several of the RCA outputs on the PSE don't work, the power button is finicky, and it is all original, ostensibly in need of major overhaul.  Labels on capacitors and other parts have fallen off, etc.  I love the slightly warm (to my ear) holographic sound of the PSE.  I would like to upgrade the SQ.  I find bright, high resolution sound like that of my KEF X300A computer desktop speakers very fatiguing after a short period of time.  

My system consists of an Auralic Aries Mini with SBooster power supply > Kimber Kable PBJ RCA interconnects> PSE HL1 > Kimber Kable Hero RCA interconnect > N.E.W. A-20 amp > Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker wire > ProAc Response Two S speakers mounted on very beefy steel stands.  I stream a lot of Tidal on the Aires' Lighting DS app.

My short list of possible replacements are AR SP6, AR SP8, CJ PV10 and Quicksilver Full Function.  Two other options are AI Modulus 3A and ModWright LS 100 (if i can find a good deal on one--it's a stretch for my budget), but I'm afraid these two might be too neutral or bright for my ear.  I'd appreciate any recommendations.  Overhauling the PSE preamp is a possibility, but one audio professional i trust told me i can really improve SQ over the PSE.

Thanks for any tips or advice!
robert1234
mechans
3,048 posts
 

@Robert1234,  I think the ARC SP6B came with Telefunken 12AX7s as original equipment.  They have a reputation for being for  clean, cool and crisp sounding tubes.  I can concur from my own experience with them. Telefunkens were frequently matched in the "golden era" of early stereo integrateds,  nonetheless  they had a very warm overall presentation.. I have a couple of tube Sherwoods like that.

 As I said I tried a number of tubes in my SP6B, including 5751s and it didn't matter- same sonic, utterly remarkable..  My pre is a true wire with gain, (it was used and modded when I got it.).  They do have superb phono sections.  BTW my SP6B came with Bel  (India) 12AX7s.

 I hope it turns out to be what you wanted. Let us know how it works out in your system.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,886 posts
 
Robert, my time with the SP-6b was a long time ago, it's tubes no longer in my memory. What the mode switch allows is for each channel to heard through both speakers, or both blended together to mono. I use it to switch between left and right channels when playing "electronically simulated stereo" LP's, such as the early Kinks and Beach Boys albums, to compare them to each other.
willowbends's avatar
willowbends
7 posts
 
wolf_garcia et al
Recently I ordered a small "Fulla Shiit" USB DAC [yes, the name is "Fulla Shiit"], typically used in laptops. It works extremely well, by adding analogue to my music. At first listen on my JBL phones, the analogue sound was quite impressive, superlative, and I listened for hours. This Shiit uses only a volume control, and amplifies the sound quite a bit. Intended for headphones, though I use it also to go into the AR SP-9 Mk II preamp, for my AR/CJ/JBL system. The instructions are sparse. Tried it on my desktop, and later will try on my tablet and smart phone.

 Also I ordered another tube DAC, a "ZHILAI Audio D1" from China, which add's some noise, and isn't as good as the Shiit.  Both were under $100. You're right, now I really like Shiit products, very advanced in their use of internal DAC chips, and consistantly out pace others at many times the price..  sometimes Fulla_Shiit x 10...

[this is my first Audiogon post, as I like reading forums. I learned quite a bit about speakers, preamps and amps, by brand and model, mostly by comparing the components, as I've researched before purchasing]
willowbends's avatar
willowbends
7 posts
 
robert1234
You asked, and ended up exactly as I did, with AR. You went from last in the class, to first.  I've researched AR, and found the SP11/10/14/9/8/3/6 [in descending order], in their various Mk I/II/III/IV versions, to be the best preamps. Though most don't have it, I often look for a toroidal coil in preamps, in place of a transformer, just like select model toroidal CJ and other brands. Although I recently aquired a SP-9 Mk II with a toroidal coil, later I'll probably look for an 11/10 or an 8, and if you guessed, yes, because of more tubes. If you like, later we can talk about AR tube amps.. so nice when paired with AR preamps..
Kind regards,
Will
dasguteohr
11 posts
 
Hi,
Silvaweld SWC 450 aka.Allnic a great little Preamp
plays in the Big League easy buy it second hand
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue17/soniceuphoria.htm

Best Regards,
Stephan
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