Can't go wrong with the Schiit Freya +
Which would you choose for good sounding tube preamp for an audiophile new to tubes.
I need your help guys. I would like to add a tube preamp to pair with my reference 200.2 B&K amplifier. My speakers are large ADS L1590 towers ( 90 DB efficiency rating). They were a flagship back in the day. I have had them restored by an ads tech. I am l looking at a QUICKSILVER LINESTAGE LS PREAMPLIFIER, VTL 5.5 preamplifier, and a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1. All are currently used and on audiomart or audiogon. The Sonic Frontiers is for sale on hi-fi heaven. I purchased from them before and they check out the equipment that is preowned. My system is a little bright and dynamic sounding using the sonata B&K preamp. (There best at the time). I am looking for a little warmth in the sound and no harshness. I want some slam and afraid I will lose it if I go with tubes. I have had success buying certain units because of the knowledge dispensed through this forum I am a member of Audiogon in good standing. Any help would be great. I appreciate the feedback.
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- 70 posts total
I use an original series Freya (no "+" but hey...I don’t care, and with the original you can snap back and forth between the tubes and passive without shutting the tubes off, which I like. Adjust the level of course.) into a Pass XA-25. Sublime, astonishingly great sound. Both deserve their Class A ratings by Stereophile, and is there anything as well designed with as many useful features as as a Freya for under a grand? No. I think NOS tubes like my preferred GEs in a Freya make it really shine...so do that. |
VTA SP14. http://www.tubes4hifi.com/SP14.htm Very musical without being tubey and, in kit form, a bargain even with all the available upgrades! |
- 70 posts total