2. amps-preamps
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So many preamps, so little time

I am trying to move up the tube audio food chain having left solid state recently (after listening to tubes I can never go back). Since then I have gone from ultra-linear tube amps to a used pair of Cary 805AE (300b) monoblocks (very happy!). I still have a Primaluna Prolouge 3 tube preamp; I rolled a pair NOS Radiotechniques (French military 1955)and a pair of Pope Holland (NOS 1959) replacing the stock Chineese 12AX7 and 12AU7 (which have really opened up that little preamp).

My interconnects are Acoustic Zen and speaker cables are Red Dawns (Silver)connected to a pair of Vienna Acoustic Concert Grands (sensitivity 91db). I have a Cary 300/303 CD player, and PS Audio line regenerator.

My sound room is small (12 x 12)so my listening is mostly direct energy from the speakers. Still, I enjoy a wonderful soundstage with much of the benefits that tubes provide.

I would appreciate your recommendations on a preamp upgrade. I have tried bypassing the preamp altogether but have decided not to go down that road. I expect to be looking in the used market for something.

Is it a waste of money to buy a balanced-preamp with an un-balanced system? I find reviews aren't any help (every preamp out there is "always the best"). What do you guys like? Any input would be appreciated.
erfranke
shredder's avatar
shredder
113 posts
 
Both Cary's are good choices. I bought an 05 recently after a lot of aduditions and am very happy. Big improvement in sound quality.

The deHavilland Mercury and Ultra-Verve are also excellent and a little less expensiive. There is a UV on the Gon right now..........
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Cary SLP98P or (L). Balanced won't matter. I hooked up my bal. Cary CAD120S XLR's on amp to RCA's on preamp and it made no difference. The preamp has a main vol. control and a left and right vol. or bal. controls. BTW the amp and preamp are a match made in heaven. Happy listening.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
In my system, the Sonic Euphoria sounded far better than the deHavilland ultraverve. The Cary SLP-98 and many more expensive tube preamps have also been laid to waste by some form of transformer based passive as well. System synergy is key of course, but the OP seems to have a passive friendly system.

Shakey
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Would have to agree with Shakey. Passive preamps did in my SLP-98 and Joule Electra LA-100MkIII, as well as a couple others.

I had the SLP-98 mated with my V12i and while there is definitely synergy, IMO it was too much of the Cary house sound for me. The Joule alleviated that, and had better frequency extension.

As for 6SN7 designs versus the smaller signal tube designs, there is a lot more to it than the tubes. I have had both types of designs in my system and while I think highly of the sound that 6SN7 tubes can deliver, I've quite enjoyed a number of 12AU7, 12AX7, and 6DJ8/6922 tubes as well.
dmailer's avatar
dmailer
235 posts
 
Many good suggestions but you may want to check one of the Shindo preamps such as the Auriges line stage. The Shindo preamps are extremely musical.
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