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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
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

"...went to a 6SN7 based amp. Mapletree and Atmasphere make this kind of pre, but they aren’t going to yield you more detail."

Does this mean these provide less detail at the expense of more midrange bloom? Can you please elaborate since I’m really intrigued by the Mapletree line stage preamp in particular but also enjoy the detail sound my current SS preamp delivers.

Thanks.

rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
Does this mean these provide less detail at the expense of more midrange bloom?
I experience no less detail with mine, but it depends on the tubes you install. For mine, one set of 6SN7s bloomed the midrange and fuzzed up the detail, while another manufacturer's did not. I kept the latter installed for a clean, clear, solid sound. I am not missing any detail in mine.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,954 posts
 
Does this mean these provide less detail at the expense of more midrange bloom?
No. Detail is not sacrificed on account of the 6SN7! At any rate I would expect almost any 6SN7-based preamp to be more detailed than an old ARC SP-6.
nordicnorm
313 posts
 
I have the Don Sachs Model 1 6SN7-based preamp. It replaced a Doge 8.

I would have to say it is a very clean sounding preamp. I'm running it into a pair of (heavily modified) Golden Tube Audio SE-40 special edition monoblocks.


grk
228 posts
 
Hi, 

I am using a MW LS100 with phono and the sound can definitely be tailored to your taste by swapping the 6SN7 tubes and/or the phono tubes as well. I will also be selling this pre shortly, so if you are interested, let me know. I have the Russian Melz 1578's installed and they are much better in every way than the stock EH 6SN7 tubes.
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