2. amps-preamps
  3. 192678-195555

Vacuum Tube Preamp for Solid State Power Amp Pairing

I’ve recently discovered the world of vacuum tubes and recently purchased a Willsenton R8 which I’m enjoying very much.

I also have a solid state Chord Electronics SPM 1050mkii power amp (200w into 8ohms) and am now curious what sound I could achieve by the marriage of a tube preamp paired with my beefy solid state power amp.

As I’m a tube newbie I figured it would be sensible to lean on the considerable experience of the Audiogon community and plunder some recommendations.

 I like the look of the PS Audio BHK signature Pre (preowned) but it’s pushing my budget, although if you guys think it’s a winner I can save a few more buttons..! Also I’m aware of the Shiit Freya + which seems well reviewed and appears to be a good value proposition, but apart from these 2, I’m not really sure what else is out there…

So, over to you guys to work your magic, recommendations please!

Budget is circa £2-£3k and MUST have a remote control! :)

terenthia
pfeiffer
54 posts
 

Spatial Audio Labs "Raven" preamp. Really good!

dmbaudio's avatar
dmbaudio
5 posts
 

I have a BAT VK 52 SE tube pre amp and Elecrtocomponiet AW180 solid state mono blocks and they pair wonderfully. I'm considering class D (GAN) mono blocks at some point.

bimmerlover's avatar
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bimmerlover
49 posts
 

I would look at the PrimaLuna series of tube preamps. They are PrimaLuna EVO 100, EVO 200, EVO 300, and EVO 400.

(Make sure you look at the preamps and not the integrated models, as the naming is similar.)

They are built like tanks, sound very good/great value, and they are - if/when you get to that point - easy to tube roll with.

mashif
264 posts
 

+1 LTA  MZ2 or Velo. Or they have a full preamp if you need more inputs. 

nubiann
7 posts
 

Left field but pairing UK SS with a classic but brilliant hand made UK EAR Yoshino 864L or even an 868L two Tim De Pavaracini designs that are beautiful to look at having an output impedance of 100 ohms. It has several fully balanced XLR inputs and outputs via couple of stereo line RCA’s or balanced XLR’s. It’s transformer coupled and uses Custom selected PCC88/7DJ8's otherwise known ECC88/6N8 and if you select the PL model you have a world class jumper configurable MM/MC Phono stage tube driven akso. It sounds brilliant paired with a meaty SS amp or equally at home in an all tube set up. They are not cheap but neither are they stupid money. I have the EAR912 having previously owned an 868PL so can vouch for its brilliant sonics and black background. They are also very heavy and built like battleships.

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