Preamp recommendations for a Butler TBD2250?

Hmmm, don't recall ever saying it was a quality issue Phil, I think the Modwright is a damn good linestage. What I DID say was that I didn't feel like it was a good match for the Butler. And I stand by that.

But thanks anyway for your, as always, insiteful comments, I didn't realise the input sensitivity on the Butler was so low.

And yes, I would like to hear how you get on with the Bat VK Tjpj, thanks.

I use the JR Synergy IIi and that combo works very well.

Will do, Mihilli.

I'm rather excited about getting this Butler amp! It will be interesting to see how it matches up with the BAT VK-3ix, my Wharfedale Opus 2 and the various CD Players I have.

To correct a mis-stated spec, the sensitivity on the Butler is not 3 volts @ 250 watts and it is not 2 volts @ 150 watts, it is 2 volts @ 250 watts. This has been taken directly from the web page of the TBD-2250 and called and confirmed with the designer. I currently have a modwright 9.0 and a rogue audio zeus amp. I am seriously considering picking up the butler because of the technology and no heat(not that the rogue has a lot of heat) No changing tubes and no hazard to my small children. I talked to the designer and to modwright and the amps have been used at the shows together with great results. The zeus has a sesitivity of 225 watts @ 1 volt. With the modwright there is almost too much gain. with very little fine adjustment at low volumes. I love the Zeus but I might just give the Butler a try.

Hmmm...at the time of my post the Butler site listed the input sensitivity specs I quoted. If the current specs are correct, then a 15db gain preamp should be adequate, unless your sources are lower-than-average output. Certainly there would be a big difference in preamp/amp gain relationships between a given preamp into 1v sensitivity and another into 2v sensitivity. Another thing to consider is the Butler's solid-state-like input impedance of 47kOhm, unlike many tube amps which are maybe 10X that.

Phil