2. amps-preamps
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Seriously considering tube preamp…opinions?

Tube virgin, here. I am building a system and I'm trying to contain the preamp/amp cost to $3k or so. (I could go up a little.) 

I'm inclined not to dive into tubes all the way through, but get a solid state on the output end. (Open to suggestions; inclined toward PS Audio, Parasound.) I'm reading around about tube preamps and have talked with my local dealer, who sells Black Ice/Jolida and Prima Luna (PL). He used to carry Rogue but said they kept coming back for repairs. That's why he carries PL.

I'm asking these questions after having established (via reviews, comments) that Schiit gear is quite the value. Lately, I've been reading about Decware and other small tube makers. I'm very curious about buying direct, if possible, and a company that stands behind their products is crucial.

So, your opinions about tube integrated or *especially* tube preamps —

1. Who do you like? Consider I want to do pre/amp for a total of $3k if possible.

2. Do you think PL is worth all that money just for a preamp? I get the feeling they're high quality but a bit over-hyped. (No disrespect to the highly passionate Kevin Deal, but he's all over my search results.) And what would you think about $2k/$1k preamp-to-amp spending ratio?

3. Any sense of what happened to Jolida since the name change to "Black Ice"? I see there's a sordid story there but did the re-branding clear up the mess? Any experiences with the Black Ice company?

4. I know there are many Schiit fans out there; so my question would be -- did anyone consider Schiit for tube preamp and go another way? Or move beyond Schiit for any particular reason? It's hard not to just capitulate and do a Freya+ or Saga+ but why wouldn't one just go with Schiit?




128x128hilde45
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,023 posts
 
Thanks! I’ll look at those. I’ve read mixed things about Vincent since production went to China but maybe those anecdotes are dismissible. The 237mkII is on my short list.

@yogiboy You using them for Pre or integrated or what?
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,737 posts
 
Preamp and amp. I don't have an integrated amp!
elliottbnewcombjr
5,563 posts
 
Phono now?

Future?

If no phono now, I vote for Tube Integrated Amp now, then you get tube sound, and later, if you add phono, you add a separate tube preamp for that.

Newer units have remote volume, nice

a few have remote balance. People here are probably tired of hearing my advice, but I am a big fan of remote balance from the listening position.

it can be very hard to ascertain if a modern menu driven unit has remote balance. sometimes it has it, but hidden in sub-menus and not even listed in the specs.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,563 posts
 
I started this about remote balance a while ago

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/remote-balance-control-on-tube-integrated-amp
mesch
3,524 posts
 
I also wanted to place tubes in my system while staying with SS amplification. I started with a hybrid integrated and went to separate tube pre/SS amp. Now have a DAC with tube output stage and a tube pre feeding a SS amp. My sources are all digital. Vinyl adds complexity regarding system gain. 

The Quicksilver line stage pre mentioned by yogiboy retails at $1300. Dennis Had makes one that sells at similar price. The Schiit Freya+ seems to offer much at it's price . It can be run as a passive or supplies a lower level of gain when used in tube mode. I currently own a Jolida Fusion pre. It has served me well over the last 7 years. It has more gain than the Quicksiler or the Had.  I am not versed on the new Black Ice version. Due to the change to Black Ice the Fusion can be found discounted I believe. Originally sold for $1350.

As djones51 suggested, if you consider a hybrid integrated the Vincent would be hard to beat at your price point. Another option would be the Pathos Classic One MKIII. The Pathos provides less power than the Vincent. I have owned a Vincent SV226 MK and wish I had never sold it. I currently own a Pathos Classic One MKII. It is a showcase piece with a very smooth sound. My recollection is that the vincent maybe had a little more punch. Hard to fault either. 

When pairing separates, so much depends on the gain provided by sources/pre/amp and power requirement of speakers. An integrated simplifies this chain. Separates do offer flexibility. 

Keep us posted regarding thoughts/decisions. I wish you the best in your search.




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