2. amps-preamps
  3. 1257080997

Need budget, used tube preamp to go with Bel Canto

Hi, Gang!

I am moving up to separates from a Unison Unico integrated amp. I want to see what my Ohm Walsh 100-S3 speakers will sound like with more power. I picked up a Bel Canto S300 (150 W into 8 ohms) here on Audiogon. Now I need a preamp. I'm pretty much sold on getting a tube preamp, but my budget is only $700 max this time. So a used preamp is obviously the way to go. I don't need a phono stage because I have an outboard unit (a Bottlehead Seduction that I built.)

What suggestions do you have for a relatively inexpensive used tube preamp that will mate well with the S300?

And what do you think of using a Peachtree Decco as a preamp? My CD player (Music Hall CD 25.2) has digital out, so I could use the digital in on the Decco for that, and use the analog inputs for my phono stage and tuner.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!
rebbi
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Pdspecl,

Thanks for the advice. I've also seen CJ PV-5 and PV-6 preamps advertised here. I wonder how they stack up. But CJ is a brand that I see recommended in threads here repeatedly. I hadn't heard of TAD before. I'll check it out. Thanks again.
pdspecl
254 posts
 
I've never heard CJ myself - just going by many, many user comments. Per the seller his '11' model/version is supposedly much better than the lesser models. A pre is so critical in the system. Spend the extra $100 > $200 to get a good one so you won't need to upgrade later.
Maybe seller would go down a bit.
Also, there's a TAD 150 posted, not sure if it's a signature model though. Maybe he'd go down on price.
Good luck!!!
elevick
2,638 posts
 
If we are stretching things, the MFA on here a few days ago will eat the CJ for lunch.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Elevick,

I notice that there are a few MFA Magus pre's available right now. I'll have to check them out.
rotarius
431 posts
 
Check the input impedance of your amp, it's pretty low I think. It won't be a good match for most tube preamps.
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