Top ten tube preamps

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.

The UV-202 from RCa is considered the The grandfather of all power tubes. Really cool tube.

Gill Audio Design's Alana Mk III, phenomenol with my Einstein power amp.