Looking for warm tube preamp (should pair well with Pass power amp), budget $6000


Right now I have an ARC ref5se and its nice but looking for something of similar quality but warmer (maybe Vac, CJ or something you think will fit well). Looking for smooth sound, full mid range.

Thanks!

smodtactical

@ghasley I am using this for my ns5000 speakers. Cabling is from QED.. the xt40s and kimber hero interconnects. Dac is denafrips terminator with v2 board.

I would like to hear the shindo for sure.

Impressive you liked ref5se more than ref6 ! Did you find the ref5se more rich / musical  and ref 6 too analytical ?

Have you explored VAC at all ?

You should check out the CODA #7x preamp that I just sold. It is soon going to be upgraded with a separate power supply. It was too tubey for me but likely the perfect sound for you. It is a SS preamp so no tubes to change unless that is a negative for you. It was great with all the amps I tried it with.

@smodtactical 

 

I found the ref5se was a more visceral, tactile preamp with a little more flesh. I also disliked strongly the volume on ref6 which came on entirely too strong out of the gate. Zero was no sound, 10 was VERY loud. Its my understanding the ref6se update addressed this.

 

I’m not so sure Shindo and NS5000’s have ever been in the same system LOL. Did I miss your amplification in a prior post? In any case, I doubt anything I could add to the discussion would be of value as I have no familiarity with with your interconnects or speakers. Shindo shines when properly matched but I can’t imagine Shindo and Yamaha coexisting harmoniously.

I really like my Backert Rhumba 1.3 pre with a Pass XA30.8.  Great bass, dynamics and musicality.