2. amps-preamps
  3. 154690-139155

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
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
http://www.audibleillusions.com/pricing/
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,006 posts
 
That’s a lot of money for an illusion. Just joking! ;-)

@tvad Sounds like a amp worth selling a kidney for. Then again...Reno Hifi, right?
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,006 posts
 
@tvad @decooney and all,
It's likely this thread is almost exhausted.
I'll just pose one final additional question.
* Assume, for the sake of argument, that you've convinced me to consider high quality solid state as an alternative to tubes. (This is a thought experiment.)
* Assume, also, that you've made me very curious about the Pass Labs INT-60 amp.
* Assume that I've looked into them and find $9000 too much for me, but that you've nudged me up to $6500, tops, for amplification.

QUESTION: Who do you think would be nearly competing, in solid state, with Pass Labs with this maximum price point (for new)?

I'm looking for a short list of makers you consider to be "nearly Pass labs" topping out around $6500, new.

When I look, I see things such as:

First Watt
Bryston
Hegel
Sugden
and many others.

So, in the upper tier, nearly in the same breath as Pass Labs but at a max $6.5k pricepoint, who makes your super short list?
Post removed 
mesch
3,523 posts
 
Hide45,  As a way to recap on all the great advise provided across your 3 threads, I propose that, regardless of budget, a sound (pun intended) approach would be:

1) Understand the desired sonic outcome. Experience needed here.

2) Understand the room and have some idea of how system is to be placed within. Part of this is consideration for room treatment. Room is part of the system.

3) Choose speakers that fit the room and desired sonic outcome.

4) Consider the sources to be used in the now, and possibly to be used in the future.

5) Choose amplifier to compliment the room speakers toward the  sonic outcome.

6) If not an integrated amplifier, choose a preamp that compliments the amplifier towards the sonic outcome and supplies the needed inputs/outputs.

7) Choose the source components.

All aspects, 1-6, and budget, should be thought through carefully,   prior to the 1st purchase.  Much of the desired outcome is dependent on 7.  

I understand that this approach is very idealistic, that most of us have constraints that must be complimented in the process, thus rearranging the hierarchy, and often increasing budget.

I advise avoiding the consideration of doubling budget to accommodate speakers without consideration of the system as a whole.


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