Audible illusions Modulus 3A or Klyne 6L

you just missed the CAT preamp to name three of the mose regarded, sensible choices of preamps - I am sure any of them will match with your described setup with no issues.

The Audible Illusions Modulus L1 (this is the one I own) is identical to the line stage sonics of the Modulus 3A, minus the fact the Modulus L1 does not have a phono section. It was mentioned above that Audible Illusions preamps eat tubes. I think this is because the tubes are constantly on even when the preamp power switch is turned off. This no doubt contributes to excellent sonics from the get-go.

I like my Audible Illusions pre a great deal and I'm just now getting around to tube swapping. I read that Audio Research makes tube rings for the 6922 tubes. Stereophile mentioned the use of these rings do not produce suttle improvements but major differences in most all areas of the Audible Illusions preamp.

Elevick the newer AI units use two gain controls (one per channel) and one master volume. This is very handy when it comes to setting the proper gain for your particular amp. Once set you only need to adjust the one volume control from there on.

Audible Illusions have their own recommendations regarding tube selection.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tubes/messages/21/213226.html

Curiously, they only recommend russian tubes with a certain reserve for everything else stating that the owner must look for rugged tubes.

Some research on the net will provide a lot of info, including remarks on tube eating characteristics of the AI in official reviews in well known magazines (Soundstage) pertaining to the tube eating problem starting from the higher gain and now the on/off and constant voltage.

Just got off the phone to Audible Illusions and it turns out that the tube filaments are always lit because it actually lengthens the life of the tubes avoiding intial voltage rush. Yes they are recommending a specific Sovetek tube and they sell for $110.00 per pair. I intend on purchasing them myself.

Great ! In my experience, they're the only manufacturer which,in my knowledge and experience, have such a design for supposedly preserving the tubes.

I have VAC and Conrad Johnson preamps, both start on mute and necessitate a few minutes warm up and stabilizing with signaling on the machine. Different design ? And I can use any brand of tubes on them without restriction and tried a lot. And I never burned a set until know although I admit I roll a lot ! And I've never read, on Audiogon or elsewhere,or experienced that all tube preamps are tube eaters with AI beeing the exception. Never ! I don't read any complaints that a specific unit is generally known to shorten tube life except.....well of course !

Please educate me. Although I've read a lot on the present subject just by typing the brand's name with "tube problem" in Google, I would like to read the info you've got on other audio manufacturers having similar problems with similar reputation.