Tube Preamp - What to buy?

Looking to take my first venture into the tube world and going with a tube preamp. My budget is up to $2500 and willing to buy used or new however realize with my budget that used is probably a better path. I would like to have a built-in MM phone stage. I am use to having a remote and tone controls, so that would be nice however not a necessity.

For further information my speakers are Revel Performa3 F206 and the current amp(s) is Conrad Johnson SA-250 and I also have a Rotel RB1552. I many be looking for an amp upgrade in the future, but one thing at a time.

So far I have been looking at used Audio Research and Conrad Johnson preamps but very open to opinions on brand and model. Thanks and I look forward to your opinions and experiences.

speter0407-16-2021 3:35pm

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jjss49 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,612 posts 07-23-2021 at 03:36pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @russbutton 256 posts 07-23-2021 7:27am The Don Sachs line stage preamp ($2500) is just the VTA SP-14 dressed up in a pretty case. The SP-14 can be bought as a kjt ($1200) or fully assembled and tested ($1800). The top line PH-16 phono preamp kit ($700) can also be had fully assembled and tested ($1000). count down to reply from don ... four ... three... two... 😂😂😂
svelland Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3 posts 07-23-2021 at 04:01pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Definitely a used EAR 868PL with Phono and remote, or EAR 912 as mentioned above, they share the same line stage! EAR 912, if you are into Vinyl, but otherwise I wouldn’t bother to put the extra money into it. Buy four NOS Siemens PCC88 (7DJ8) and you got a killer preamp, that matches a lot of SS and tube amps👌🏻
jbuhl Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,000 posts 07-23-2021 at 04:05pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Another plug for the RP-1. Get it new with warranty and then use the extra $$ to find a nice set of vintage tubes you like. As others have said the phono stage is worthy. I auditioned the Moon 110LP against the RP-1 internal and the Moon was not worth the spend. And that was with a Rega P6/Ania. I email Moon and they responsively help me dial in the LP for the Ania. I also called up Rogue and they helped me dial in the RP-1 for the Ania. So purdy confident I was not wildly misconfigurated.
arrowheadrss Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 31 posts 07-23-2021 at 06:16pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete You will find that the selection of preamps with tonal controls and a built-in phono section to be very limited. If you could consider a line stage with an outboard phono preamp you will find a much larger selection to choose from. If you choose to go that way you can find a good solid used tube line stage and a decent used phono preamp that will equal or exceed most built-in phono preamps well within your budget. Just remember this when buying used tube equipment, many people who own tube equipment are tube rollers, usually when they sell there equipment they swap out there expensive and matched tubes for lesser quality and unmatched tubes thus reducing the sound quality of the equipment by sometimes a large margin. So be prepared to include in your budget the price of new tubes, which for preamps or line stages is not much but amps on the other hand is a different story.
coltrane1 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 813 posts 07-23-2021 at 06:32pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Sound advice from @millercarbon! $2500 is the range of many fine integrated’s. Solve your amp problems. Buy an integrated. I bought a Willsenton KT88 for $1280 delivered. I spent $600 on tube upgrades. It drives my Martin Logan Spires just perfectly. What does $2500 buy today besides a used BAT. That wouldn’t be bad but I wouldn’t invest that kind of money into a 20 year old preamp. Buy new and save some money. Buy a tube integrated! It’s all the power your speakers need, imo.