Tube preamp for SS amp

"12-25-13: Chad2635
Thanks for all the feedback. Based on all the research I've done I'm leaning towards 6SN7 or the 6922. I have had my eye on the cj et3se however I'm not sold on the volume control that it uses (push button/remote) and I'm not sure the entry level classic 2se (both use a single 6922) is enough of a preamp (ie performance not features). Herron audio has a 6922 based pre that I may investigate. There is a used VTSP-1a/166 here on audiogon and a NOS VTSP-2."

That's not a good way to go about this. You can have 2 preamps that use the exact same tubes and they will both sound very different. In a case like this, demo's aren't optional. You have to do it. If your only demo option is ARC, I recommend you try to put something together with them, as opposed to just guessing. When you buy equipment without listening to it first, be prepared to fail. (Understand that I'm not trying to be negative or mean. I'm just very direct in how I communicate.)

You're probably right. It's tough being an audio enthusiast and reading about new makes and models with everybody trying to outdo everybody else but in reality who actually has access to audition even a fraction of what's out there. Even the hifi shops can't afford to stock all models....I know because I've called and more times than not if they don't have what you want they make you special order it and will only exchange it. I guess what I need to do is pick a shop that carries at least 2 brands I'm interested in to better my chances of finding a match.

Chad, I am no techie, but I think CJ make quite a big deal of their volume attenuator, indicating they use a discrete resistor for each volume increment to attenuate the volume (in 0.7db increments all the way through)...somehow preserving the integrity of the signal by having just the one resistor at that increment? AT least that what I could make out of it...sorry for not reading it properly if I got this wrong. Its on their website. Perhaps there are better ways to attenuate, but as people like to say, its often about the implementation than the theory anyway. Hope you get a chance to hear the CJ ET3SE...if it sounds as close the GAT as people say, then it should be quite a special preamp.

Zd542,
You make some valid points, I made it clear to chad my description of the
various tube characteristics were "general" . Of course the
option to hear a component in your system is by far the preferred way to
proceed, this isn't possible in many cases. Gathering information from
those with some actual experience does help establish a data base and is
useful.

I have four components in my system that were purchased without any
prior listening. I used reviews and perhaps even more importantly (to me)
input from owners on this site and other forums, results exceeded my high
expectations I'm happy to say.

There simply wasn't a way for me to hear these components in my system
without buying them, that was the reality. I know I'm not the only one who
has had to do it this way either. You have to begin the quest somewhere.
Charles,

From my own experience, it is an absolute requirement that the specific tube linestage be tried with the specific solid state amplifier. Even with supposedly compatible impdedances and short cable runs, etc., the result of going from tube into solid state is quite unpredictable (most often in a bad way), than any other combination; I would be much more confident predicting the result of solid state feeding tube than the other way around. I am certainly NOT saying that tube feeding solid state doesn't work well, but, the combination must be tried first.

From a practical standpoint, you should also look for a tube linestage that can be completely muted while it is warming up or one that does not emit ANY noise when turned on and warming up, or the solid state amp must have a mute circuit. I have found that solid state amps sound their best when left on all the time or at least warmed up for a very substantial amount of time. Tube gear, on the other hand, warms up faster and really should not be left on all the time. That means that the tube linestage has to be turned on AFTER the amp--any startup noise could be nasty and potentially harmful to the speakers.

For what personal preferences are worth, I generally like linestages with 6SN7 tubes. There is a HUGE variety of these tubes so it is possible to tailor the sound of a linestage by choice of specific brand/vintage/model of tube. I haven't heard a 6H30 linestage I really liked (sounds lean and brittle to me). On the exotic side, I like linestages that use 310 tube -- warm, great midrange presence, but a little rolled off on top.