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
5,047 posts
 
 @tvad 
I wouldn’t hesitate to have equipment repaired by technicians like that, although I would want any parts used to match those originally installed.


Even if the newer parts were better? Just because it goes outside the original design?
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atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,936 posts
 
How important is it for you to have a tube amp fixable locally rather than having to ship it back to the maker for fixes or upgrades?
Repair-ability has always been high on my list. I would consider upgrades to be quite a bit different from repairs though! When I was putting myself through school I worked repairing consumer electronics. I ran into some stuff even way back in the early 1970s that clearly didn’t have service in mind when it was built! That sort of thing can be a nightmare if the equipment develops a fault; ease of servicing has always been high on my agenda- you sleep better at night :)
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Unless you are a classical music  nut it is not worth it .  Tubes will end upcosting you more than the gear and there are many fake ones  around .
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,047 posts
 
@schubert What is not worth it?
@tvad  I hear you on altering the original design, esp of a premium product
@atmasphere Thanks for the advice about repairs. I would prefer just to deal with a local dealer, though perhaps they just ship it back to the maker? I don't know, but of course if it's under warranty and in their hands, I'm spared the hassle.
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