2. amps-preamps
  3. 988063736

Need SS preamp that sounds like tube .

I love the tube sound, but I don't necessarily want the tubes. I currently run a CJ PV12. Does anyone have any ideas? My main problem is that auditioning is limited in my area. I am pretty confident that the SS CJ stuff will sound tube-like. But I don't even think there is a dealer in my area. Some needed information: run a Bryston 4B-ST for power, Meridian 508.24 for CD, some PMC FB-1 monitors for speakers, silver Audioquest cable all around. I would like to keep the damage under 5K. As for auditions in my area, I can probably find Bryston, Audio Research, Aragon, Meridian. Oh, I'm sure these stores are authorized dealers for a lot of stuff, but they don't carry some of the pricy brands in stock or as demo. Help would be appreciated.
argent
slowhand
610 posts
 
I replaced the Bryston 4B NRB that I used to have with an Audio Research 100.2 solid state amp and never looked back. I compared the 100.2 with the VT100mk2 tube amp amp the 100.2 sounded so good that I bought it. I am not saying that it sounded any better than the VT100mk2, but for much less money it came very very close. If you want the beauty of tubes without hassles, this is the amp for you. Be warned that this amp does not sound overly warm and tubey like some tube amps, but more neutral with great resolution like Audio Researches tube amps do. Good Luck!
kitch29
316 posts
 
"poxy moron", great! but what the heck is PRAT?
caterham1700
271 posts
 
PRaT stands for Pace,Rhythm and Timing-the fundamental temporal qualities of music reproduction that somehow never featured in the lexicon of Holt and Pearson.

Best,Ken
(a middle earther)
mes
393 posts
 
I'll mirror mbognar, Stan Klyne makes one of the finest preamps available, ss or tube. It doesn't sound like tube or ss, just music. It's truly one of the best bangs for the buck out there. I've been auditioning pre amps for some time, looking to upgrade, and listened to everything I could including the high priced tube pre often praised on A'gon, reference preamps, etc and nothing bested the Klyne. I ultimately had to go off the deep end and get a CTC Blowtorch to upgrade.
barrabee
3 posts
 
Tubes are not that difficult, and the cool part about it is that you can upgrade (roll) your tubes and custom tailor the sounds to meet your audio needs. Some tubes provide more bass, some are warmer, and others have sweeet highs, but the greatest thing about tubes is the full body sound that I've never heard in solid state pre amps. But, I've also gone back to vinyl so I may not be the best person to ask in regards to maintenance free audio.
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