2. amps-preamps
  3. 130387-2175

What are the more subtle sounding tube preamps?

I mean "subtle" as in relatively less tube saturation or color than your average tube-pre. Common sense tells me less tubes as in a single dual-triode, but in reality that may not be the case. I currently have my eye on a CJ Classic. Not sure if that will fit the bill.  Any suggestions welcome.
robertsong
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
In no particular order:
ARC
Allnic
Modwright
VTL
Backert Labs

Should all be fairly neutral sounding compared to the likes of CJ, Cary, BAT, etc. which present more bloom, or old school tubey sound.
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
Atma-Sphere MP3 with All Upgrades. OR the Atma-Sphere MP-1

I have both :-) I owned a tons of other manufactures Audio gear before settling on these as the destination to my heaven. May god bless you on the same path :-)
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,328 posts
 
So where does Rogue--particularly the RP-5--fall in all this?
djfst
169 posts
 
The Herron preamp and the newer VAC preamps are all neutral sounding - do not have the traditional tube sound.  Less midrange focus, and more soundstage extension and definitely tighter more pronounced bass.
bmontani
193 posts
 
Ck out a Cary SLP 05 and invest in some premo NOS 6SN7s. 
More to discover