2. amps-preamps
  3. 190587-155863

Would like to try a tube preamp after years of solid state and hybrid

I would like to replace my Counterpoint SA-1000 preamp of which I am the original owner.  I have never been satisfied with it.  I bought it as a replacement for a Hafler DH-100 pre that I bought to go with a Hafler DH-220 amp.  (I still like the amp, more so after I recapped it and upgraded a few parts.)  I did a total recap of the Counterpoint and replaced some of the rca jacks, along with a few other small things, but still find it to sound congested and dull.  In my opinion, it didn’t live up to the positive reviews that it received when it was released, but it served well in a secondary system.  My primary system makes use of an Aragon 24k preamp and 4004 amp which I find to be an acceptable level of performance.  I am using all digital sources at the moment, a JVC XL-Z1050 cd player or MacBook Pro through a Weiss DAC204.  The speakers are B&W Cm1/CM2.  Yes, with the exception of the DAC, it is all from around the same vintage.  You might be able to guess, but I have chosen components which produce a clean and crisp sound.  I am at the point that I would like to experiment with a completely different sound in the form of an old school, or near old school, tube preamp.  

 

I have been doing as much research as I can, including many thoughts from the Audiogon community, and have narrowed my choices down to the following few that are available right now, but open to other suggestions as I’m not in any rush.  I’m not a super-critical listener, but I have music training and experience, so I know what instruments and performances sound like live.  My budget is $2,000 or less plus trade value for the Counterpoint, and my goals are to get something that sounds obviously like a tube component.  I would like to equal or exceed the performance of the 24k in case I like the tubes better.  A phono stage is not required, but welcome.  I don’t like designs that have exposed tubes or showy facades (McIntosh, Zesto, PrimaLuna, etc).  I would like to get some guidance from the forum members.  

 

Conrad-Johnson PV 5, PV 10, PV 11, or other

Audible Illusions Modulus L3 or M3

Cary SLP-70

VAC Standard LE

Joule Electra LA-150 (in spite of the fact that they are out of business)

Audio Research (although I can’t decipher which model to consider - LS7, LS17, LS25?)

 

If I choose something newer, perhaps Quicksilver, AVA, Modwright, or Brown Audio Lab, but these might not sound ad "tubey" as the older units.

 

I understand that the older preamps might require some amount of rehabilitation, some of which I can do.  Nothing is a sure bet, but I would appreciate your input.

 

Thanks for any input, and best wishes!

charliehorse
jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,363 posts
 

Audio Research SP6. I have one that I bought along with a D75 amp. William Johnson claimed that this was the preamp he really wanted to make after his esteemed SP3. The Audio Critic thought the SP6 had possibly the best phono stage of all their reviewed preamps!

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,363 posts
 

I also have a Conrad Johnson PV3 awaiting set up, along with a Dynaco PAS3 modded by DKL Labs. I consider both to be excellent sounding tube preamps!

immatthewj
2,842 posts
 

Conrad-Johnson PV 5, PV 10, PV 11, or other

Audible Illusions Modulus L3 or M3

Cary SLP-70

VAC Standard LE

Joule Electra LA-150 (in spite of the fact that they are out of business)

Audio Research (although I can’t decipher which model to consider - LS7, LS17, LS25?)

I’d say that over all I have been generally happy with the Cary products I have owned. I’ve ran a Cary SLP 90 that was modded and also a Cary SLP 05 but I have no experience with the SLP 70. For your budget, I bet you could almost get into a preowned Cary SLP 98, and I’ve read quite a few good things about the sound of that preamp.

charliehorse OP
12 posts
 

Thanks so much for the input so far!

@sls883 - I've been looking at that one.  Their ad states that the remote is not included.  Most of what I read claim that the 80's era C-J's were the "classic" tube sound.  Would you characterize it's sound as firmly in the tube camp?  I know that C-J makes fine equipment, so that's not a concern.

@mofojo - Budget is around $2,000, and I will using a solid-state amp.  Either the Hafler or Aragon.

@jasonbourne71 - I was hoping that you would chime in as this topic is in your wheelhouse.  I will keep those in mind, particularly the Audio Research SP6.

@immatthewj - I seem to have a gut feeling that Cary would be a great option for me.  The SLP 98L gets a lot of good reviews and one is available for $2,000.  I'm not sure that I would like the exposed tubes.  I just read something from a old Audiogon post describing the SLP-70 as having a warm, old school tube sound.  Hmmm

charliehorse OP
12 posts
 

Thanks so much for the input so far!

@sls883 - I've been looking at that one.  Their ad states that the remote is not included.  Most of what I read claim that the 80's era C-J's were the "classic" tube sound.  Would you characterize it's sound as firmly in the tube camp?  I know that C-J makes fine equipment, so that's not a concern.

@mofojo - Budget is around $2,000, and I will using a solid-state amp.  Either the Hafler or Aragon.

@jasonbourne71 - I was hoping that you would chime in as this topic is in your wheelhouse.  I will keep those in mind, particularly the Audio Research SP6.

@immatthewj - I seem to have a gut feeling that Cary would be a great option for me.  The SLP 98L gets a lot of good reviews and one is available for $2,000.  I'm not sure that I would like the exposed tubes.  I just read something from a old Audiogon post describing the SLP-70 as having a warm, old school tube sound.  Hmmm

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