Need preamp recommendation


Well, the quest for the tube rolling didn't go anywhere after a quick phone call to a tube vendor who advised me that low noise tubes won't lower the background noise of the preamp. Unfortunately I need to replace my VTL TL-5.5 to something else with lower noise floor.

The new preamp must have very low noise. My amps have about 25dB of gain, and my speakers are 93dB sensitive. It can reveal small amount of idle noise too well, which was undetectable with the same speakers but with power amp of 15dB of gain. Also the new preamp must have low / no gain, or adjustable gain. My VTL has additional 20dB of gain, and it's just too loud.

Some of the preamps that piqued my interests are Aesthetix Calypso, Placette, and Sonic Euphoria. I've read some earlier models of Calypso suffered from noise issue. I'd like to hear from the owners with sensitive speakers and high gain amps if there is any noise issue.

I'd love to try the new TL-5.5 which was long announced, but I don't think it's shipping yet. Anyone from VTL reading this board?

Any other low noise preamp that I should consider? I'd like the tubes, but as tube gears have inherently higher noise floor I'll also consider solid states and passive designs. The budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it under $3k. The new preamp will be driving Pass XA-30.5.
jylee
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I would back-up the First Sound recommendation from Elwood - I had the Sonic Euphoria and, as good as a passive preamp could be, I am not sure if this will be a good match for your Pass amp (some math is requiered in terms of sensitivity and gain matching).
Tvad, I know you are trying to help, but have you really heard all tube preamps? The noise floor of VTL seems to be around -110dB with 1V signal. I just need additional 10dB lower. I'm not asking a miracle.
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-110dB in phenomenally low. About as good as you can get. Are you certain of this spec? How did you arrive at this figure?

From stereophile measurement sections. Take a look at the last graph about inter modulation test. Maybe I didn't interpret the graphs correctly.

I understand any equipments make some degree of hiss, and they are fine as long as they are not heard 8 ft away.