Tube Preamps...I'm sold


At the constant urging of my friend I finally decided to audition a tube preamp (Eistein The Tube). All I can say is I am completely sold on the benefits of tubes in my system. I am not sure I have the vocabulary to describe what I heard but everything just sounded right. Vocals has a realism that made it seem I was in the same room as the musician. Instruments sounded like they were supposed to. There were details I have never heard before. What is amazing to me is that I have what I believe to be a pretty good ss preamp (Classe CP-700).

Ok, now for the hard part...finding the right tube preamp. The Einstein is amazing but I want to audition more. Can anyone suggest a tube pre in the range of $10K and less? I would love to some one with an output trigger and very fine volume control (0.5db). Thats all I need.

Thanks in advance.
128x128tboooe
I upgraded from a Classe cp-60 to the ref-3 and for me it is quite significant. The classe is a great pre but I have never heard the depth of soundstage, harmonics and sense of space that I have now.

I tried the LS-26 and it is also an improvement over the CP-60, but I figured I only upgrade once a decade. so what the heck I got the ref-3 and a ph-7. I love classe and am still running my ca-400 on ML Summits. Very happy camper here.....Steve
Thanks Stesom...I actually just placed my order for the Ref3 last week...I agree that the Classe is a great pre (I had the CP-700) but something about the tubes......
Tboooe.......Now the wait begins. It is hard to believe that a 10K pre-amp is backordered 3-4 weeks, but it is that good. Report back when you get it and let it break in a while. I cannot stay away from my system, it just makes me want to listen for hours on end. I am going to audition a Ref-110 to see what that does over my classe ca-400. I may be all tubes by the end of the summer....Steve
stesom..you are right..hard to believe the backorder...i will keep you updated on my impressions once I get it.

Likewise, let me know what you think of the ARC amp. I am itching to try out the ARC cdp as well.

Now if only ARC would improve on the way their products look...