2. amps-preamps
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Tube preamp options

My system from the preamp on consists of a rouge rp-7, rogue m180 monoblocks, and vandersteen quatro wood speakers. My main source is a brinkmann Bardo through a Rogers PA-2 phono pre. It all sounds great. But there's that itch, you know? I get tremendous soundstage but not that much depth. Clarity is great, mids are nice, bass is excellent. But it doesn't quite have that in the room sound that I'm looking for. The RP7 sounded too solid state and analytical for me out of the box with the stock JJ tubes so I've done extensive rolling. Been through all sorts of NOS tubes and landed on amperex as they seem to have the best balance of warmth and clarity. My thought is, maybe I can find a pre that has those attributes out of the gate without all the rolling. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of being able to tailor the sound with trying different tubes but I feel like maybe there's a brand out there who's house sound I like better. I haven't listened to anything more yet but brands that are on the list to check out are Backert labs, maybe a used ARC Ref 6, VTL, VAC. There are a million little boutique brands tho and I'm asking what people have heard in the 10k price range, new or used, that might be a good fit for me and why. 

Thanks! 

rmdmoore
vinylvalet
902 posts
 

+1 Zesto Audio Leto for balanced. For single ended, I also strongly recommend Herron Audio.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@psf4972 

After ten years of delight in a majestic point to point wired, outboard dual mono p/s Croft preamplifier I tried a TVC. I was shocked by the in room presence of music and the space of recordings

This is an interesting result. Usually it’s the other way around. Listeners find increased presence, tactility and space when going active preamplifier. Regardless, your change works for you and that’s all that matters in the end. It’s all so listener and audio system depended.Congratulations on your success.

Charles

 

 

bmontani
193 posts
 

Cary Audio has some great options.  Really liked my SLP 05.

orfeo_monteverdi's avatar
orfeo_monteverdi
41 posts
 

[Please forgive my poor English]

Without hesitation: Aries Cerat Incito tube preamplifier (approx. $10K).

  • Ultra-quiet zero feedback Single Ended Triode (SET) preamp with transistor-like figures.
  • Big and heavy (33Kg !). 3 chokes in the circuit. Huge power.
  • Has convinced even those who came to believe in passive-preamp exclusively.
  • gobsmacked all reviewers who tested it, including Christiaan Punter, excellent Dutch reviewer (hifi-advice, tested the 'S' version, with separate power supply, more expensive).
  • It blew away my YBA 1 preamp (separate power supply).
  • plays well beyond its price
  • SOUND: lots of timbre, body, naturalness AND transparency, dynamic, speed, 3D wide image, sharply focused: the best of both world. Does NOT sound like a typical tube preamp (rosy-view, etc). Can the low-hand; no other zero-feedback SET preamp can.
  • no tube rolling allowed: they used a Siemens tube of super-high trans-conductance. But you can fine-tune the bias.

It was the more impressive upgrade my system had.

It is also the most stable and reliable hifi component I have ever had.

I wish I had discover that extremely talented manufacturer sooner. Built in Cyrpus by an aeronautic engineer who worked on Dassault systems.

 

Here a picture of the 'Incito S' version (separate PS). An 'Incito' (basic) version also exists: embedded PS; it is the 'basic' version that I own (approx. $K10-11)

 

If necessary, plan a trip to discover it. It will save you years in your audiophile quest, I promise. I wish I had discovered it sooner.

notesaddict's avatar
notesaddict
63 posts
 

I’ve tried 4 preamps with my current system (Krell 575 XD mono blocks, they’re excellent, and Wilson Benesch Endeavor), CJ, AR, Carter and Don Sachs. Nothing compared to Sachs, and he’s a good guy to work with. 

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