Top ten tube preamps

Well said Blindjim.

Adding to the nominee in my 12/07 post, I would now include Conrad Johnsons top tube preamps, the ART 2, ACT 2 series 2 and CT-5. They mate with a variety of my amps ranging from SETs to Tripath chips to pure class A solid state from Pass and Bedini, all with excellent results.

Onemug

Great!

As much as I see the approach CJ is taking lately, I prefer the older version's take on the sound better, and why I enjoy the Thor so much. It has both the speed and harmonic quality found in tube gear with no hint of SS what so ever. I've not heard the aRT preamps though. Did hear the CT5 with the 170 wpc CJ tube amps.

I feel if a thing has tubes in it, it should sound like it has tubes in it and not try to be SS sounding. There should be some definite departure or distinctive and easily noteable differences between those camps.... or why bother with glass in the first place?

Blindjim,

Relating to your last paragraph, I forgot to add that I love the sound of my Marantz 7c. So now I have 5 nominees (well, the topic is top ten) :-)

Straight up, I bought the 7c because I loved the looks of it and I've been watching them continue to go up in value. I just hoped it sounded half way decent. When I got it home, I put it in place of CT-5 driving Pass ss. It was/is what you said in your last paragraph. This may be my favorite pre. It does "something" I really like that goes straight to my heart.

I listen to music at different times and for different reasons. I'm glad this isn't the only pre I have. I'd hate to use it as a daily workhorse given its age, etc. I use it when the time comes for it.

For the record, my CT-5 and ACT 2.2 continue to sound more tube like as they age. They both have those "teflon caps" in them that are reported to take a long time to break in. The ART 2 does not and it's one of the reasons I haven't sent it to CJ to have it made into an ART 3. I like the "some definite departure or distinctive and easily noteable differences between those camps..." you mentioned. I was happy with the teflon CJ's after the basic "couple hundred" hours but they continue to get better. I don't think it's "me" getting used to them as I have the 7c as one standard. Solves the paradox: Is it the equipment that breaks in or "us" acclimating to it? Or a little of one and more of the other?

The reason I use tubes is not so it sounds like it does! I use them because you can't tell what is in the preamp- nor would you care- its all about the music.

I would use transistors if I thought I could get this same quality but so far its not been happening for me.

I recently audition the Coincident Statement Linestage.
It made my 8 watt Frankenstein amps sound like powerhouses with incredible dynamics.