After receiving my Linestage 2A SE preamp from Dr. Lloyd Peppard (www.mapletreeaudio.com) I am finally jumping off of the audio merry-go-round. This preamp uses octal-based tubes, has a separate power supply, is wired point-to-point, and you can specify a different gain for each input (up to three, if you wish), plus two outputs. Its sound is amazing and puts me into the music with ease and comfort, without fear of wondering if I'm missing any of the music on either end of the frequency spectrum. And the mids are THERE. All of this for only $650 new! A precious gemstone in audio gear for the price of costume jewelry. Dyn-o-mite!
Pre for TAD-60
Hi,
I'm looking for a sub $2,000 pre to match with my TAD-60. (I would prefer something under $1000 to hear if a tube pre is the right idea.) I've considered getting a used TAD-150. Currently run the TAD mostly through Placette passive (but sometimes directly from unmodded DAC-AH/Sony 595 or Cary 306/200). Sound emanates from Gallo 3.1s. Stock EL34s (have also used Shuguang KT-88s). I usually run in ultralinear. I've tried triode but find it too recessed and tame (would prefer the sound to be between ultralinear and triode).
I immediately fell in love with the TAD-60 and continue to be impressed. But of course, over time you want more of what you don't hear and don't want some of what you can hear. Hence, my situation.
With the placette pre the sound is slightly chiseled, a little flinty, a touch of glare to the treble (I've become especially treble sensitive in recent years), dimensionality and imaging are good. Great midrange with the EL34s, smoother, more liquid treble and tighter, deeper bass with KT-88s but the middle kind of drops off and gets soft, less pronounced. The KT-88s are generally warmer but slightly less detailed than EL34s. When I bypass the pre I get a warmer, more harmonic quality. So, to get to my point, I would like:
what the KT-88s give me with more voluptuous midrange
to be somewhere between ultralinear and triode sound quality
to have more of the smooth, liquid (less chiseled) sound quality of the amp sans passive pre
a little more dimensionality and soundstage (I'm not sure there's ever enough)
Any help will be appreciated.
Bob
I'm looking for a sub $2,000 pre to match with my TAD-60. (I would prefer something under $1000 to hear if a tube pre is the right idea.) I've considered getting a used TAD-150. Currently run the TAD mostly through Placette passive (but sometimes directly from unmodded DAC-AH/Sony 595 or Cary 306/200). Sound emanates from Gallo 3.1s. Stock EL34s (have also used Shuguang KT-88s). I usually run in ultralinear. I've tried triode but find it too recessed and tame (would prefer the sound to be between ultralinear and triode).
I immediately fell in love with the TAD-60 and continue to be impressed. But of course, over time you want more of what you don't hear and don't want some of what you can hear. Hence, my situation.
With the placette pre the sound is slightly chiseled, a little flinty, a touch of glare to the treble (I've become especially treble sensitive in recent years), dimensionality and imaging are good. Great midrange with the EL34s, smoother, more liquid treble and tighter, deeper bass with KT-88s but the middle kind of drops off and gets soft, less pronounced. The KT-88s are generally warmer but slightly less detailed than EL34s. When I bypass the pre I get a warmer, more harmonic quality. So, to get to my point, I would like:
what the KT-88s give me with more voluptuous midrange
to be somewhere between ultralinear and triode sound quality
to have more of the smooth, liquid (less chiseled) sound quality of the amp sans passive pre
a little more dimensionality and soundstage (I'm not sure there's ever enough)
Any help will be appreciated.
Bob
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- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total