2. amps-preamps
  3. 190417-1301

Warm, yet detailed tube preamp

Looking for a warm but yet detailed preamp to upgrade my Rouge RP1 (with NOS tubes). Rest of system is Coincident Frankenstein 300B Mk2, Zu Audio Omen Def Supreme, digital front end with PS Audio AirStream and DirectStream Sr (modified with external power supply for the analog side and different output transformers). The Rouge is a very good preamp (especially for the money), but it does definitely hold the system back at this point. I would like to add a bit more warmth of the overall sound and also add depth to the soundstage (without losing details). And I do want a remote... if nothing else, volume and mute.

 

Willing to spend about $5k used (or so).

128x128audiojan
immatthewj
1,896 posts
 

I've never heard the Cary SLP98, but I, personally, do not consider my SLP05 to be warm.  However the air and detail is great.  In my opinion.

jc4659
550 posts
 

Check the Spatial Audio Raven thread here.  Lots of comments posted by the two designers Don Sachs and Lynn Olson.  I own the Raven and it will be my last preamp.

cbrez
63 posts
 

Yes, +1 on the LTA preamp. It is not warm like an old school CJ preamp (I owned a few), but is natural sounding, dynamic, and detailed, it is open and airy with breadth and depth with the right source components, Tube life is excellent. It takes a classic design from David Berning and truly elevates it. Really worth listening to.

inna
7,296 posts
 

I think, VAC should be mentioned, though I don't know how it would match with your power amp. And NOS better Mullard tubes.

larryi
3,976 posts
 

The Cary SLP98 is a very warm and smooth sounding unit, even moreso than the SLP05.  Audio Research and LTA are not particularly warm.

I suspect that you Zu speaker is the reason for wanting a warmer sound.  While I appreciate the liveliness of those speakers, the have a very hard edge to their sound that I don’t think can be easily tamed with other component choices; it is too extreme in sound for that—you live that sound or find something else.

More to discover