tube preamps

I miss my TAD 150 that I had paired with a Sim Audio SS amp (went back to home theater). I was surpirsed by the sparkle and openess of the top end, as well as the tight, well controlled bottom end. I thought that's what I'd sacrifice by going with tubes. I didn't get that euphonic colored sound most tube lovers rave about, but I did get some great sound. I'm not sure if it's the tubes that make the difference or the overall design and quality of the components, but probably both. I wouldn't worry about the whole tubes vs. SS debate and just find yourself a good preamp, that matches with your amp. I think that "tube sound" everyone talks about comes from the power amp, not the pre.

A classic match-up!Hard to spend too much on a good one which is nice also.Just double-check impedences etc.You can borrow my Counterpoint for a week while Im on the road if you are by Mpls......

I have been running a tube preamp with my solid state amp for a while now and love it. It will depend on proper matching though so YMMV. I use a Joule Electra LA-100 MkIII (a used one on Audiogon now for a great price) with a TRL D-225. I have a Music Reference RM-9 coming tomorrow and it will be intersting to compare the tube/ss and tube/tube set-ups.

May I suggest trying a eastern electric "MINI MAX" preamp. They are cheap and excellent sounding. You dont need matched pairs of tube either, big plus. Over here the mini max has compared diretly to some units at 2-3 times its list price. Ads
adds a bit of tube warmness, with realworld recordings its a plus.

Is the eastern electric "mini max" still in production? I went to the website and it looked like it hasn't been updated since 2003.