Preamps better than Parasound JC-2 ?

@milpai 

Hum is not an issue of tube preamps any more than it is solid state. Hum can be caused by a variety of issues- ground loops amongst them, but I suspect its not that in this particular case.
There's no point in keeping a tube preamp on all the time like solid state. They should get to where they are going in 2-3 hours, unlike solid state which might take a week of on time.

In the case of the Rhumba, its output is actually single ended- its XLR connection is there for convenience only (this can be seen in the interior photos). This is why this unit hummed in the review you linked- the XLR cable the guy was using was picking up noise because it was running single-ended!

We make tube preamps with XLR inputs and outputs, and they are in fact actually fully differential and balanced all the way through- and (like the Rhumba) one stage of gain in the line section and zero feedback, and with a low enough output impedance to drive any amp made. So there are alternatives- BAT would be another.
Even if you were to go single-ended though, I still think you will find that the tube preamps have an advantage.

Here is something to chew on. I own a Schiit Freya preamp. It has 3 ways to listen to it. It also has balanced inputs and outputs. 1:) Passive Mode (a straight thru listen) just a volume control 2:) JFET Mode a nice solid state preamp presentation with extra gain 3:) TUBE Mode 4 6SN7 tubes
Anyway.... this is only $699 direct from factory. And I tell you that it is wonderful to be able to press a button on a remote and change to a different type of sound presentation. I listen the tube section quite a bit. But that doesn’t stop me from listening to the same song running Passive Mode or JFET Mode.

The only miscue with the preamp is the volume control emits clicks when adjusting the sound. The Freya uses a 128-Step Relay Attenuator that allows for great sound at low volumes. Many volume controls do not do so well with low volume control, and the stereo separation is not at the same volume.

If you want to hear what your system sounds like "Six ways from Sunday", it is worth a gander at the Freya. I have the Freya in a system that is very expensive. So don’t let the cheap price make you think that it doesn’t compete with the big guys. If you don’t like it, resale value is extremely good for Schiit products. You would have to go with much more money to get anything close to being better.

@bigddesign3, I am not sure about that. I think the Backert pre would be better than that. I have read enough threads and the Freya has mixed reviews with the users (not pro reviewers).

In my opinion....

John Curl is a very talented designer with a long pedigree of success. But the Parasound line (made in China) cannot compete with Herron Audio. The VTSP-360 has to be the stand-out line stage preamp available on the market today.

I own a VTSP-3a (rev 03) which is an astounding performer, but I’m saving my nickels and dimes to get a -360. It seems to be the ONLY preamp that betters the VTSP-3a. At least it is for those preamps I’ve heard, cost no object.

The VTSP-360 does only have unbalanced inputs, but maybe you should reconsider that requirement.

@bpoletti Thank You for the recommendation. Yes, I would like to have XLR. No two thoughts on that. If the preamp does not have it, it is a no starter for me. My amp sounds amazing with XLR instead of RCA, even though it is not a "true balanced" design. Don't plan to change the amp in the near future.