2. amps-preamps
  3. 1146582985

tube preamps

are these to good to be true. I have been thinking of adding an inexpensive (under 2K) tube preamp to my SS integrated amp. The very positive audiogon reviews on these lower priced models are everywhere. What am i missing....they seem to be a no brainer compared to models in the 5K range.
csmithbarc
usblues
1,217 posts
 
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......
clio09
3,354 posts
 
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.
hiend312cdfe
22 posts
 
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.
csmithbarc OP
29 posts
 
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.
kt_88
242 posts
 
Csmithbarc,

You didn't mention the SS amp you will be matching it with. I have found some interesting matches tube/ss over the years.

Clio09,

The tube/ss will be a bit faster. When you first go to the tube/tube you might be disappointed. But I bet if you keep listening you will fall in love with the tube/tube matchup. You might sacrifice some bass. But the rest of the of the music will come alive!
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