2. amps-preamps
  3. 1264799826

High end tube Preamp under $4k used that competes

with or betters the Cary SLP 05. (is there such a preamp?) Looking for suggestions in a tubed preamp on the used market to go with a solid state amplifier (60k ohm input impedance).

This preamp should have:
1. the bass, heft, weight, solidity of the SLP 05

2. clarity and highs that are crisp and extended/ not rolled off

3. some tube sound/ as opposed to solid state

4. some warmth yet detailed

5. dynamics

Thanks
foster_9
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
I have never found the BAT preamps dark.
c1ferrari
464 posts
 
Make that three...(along with Maril555 and Tom_hankins)!
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
The Atma-sphere in XLR output only, but it can use an RCA input.
br3098
997 posts
 
If you can live w/ RCA-only inputs/outputs - Conrad Johnson CT6.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
BAT preamps have always had that dark/not dark debate for some reason, I can't really understand why though. I have had the VK-31SE, VK-50SE, VK-51SE, VK-3iXSE and VK-32SE in my system, and I would say that BAT preamps are on the darker side compared to preamps from ARC, Aesthetix and VAC. I would say the BAT is not as dark as preamps from Cary or CJ though. I also would say that BAT has the best bass of just about any preamp I've owned, tube or SS.

The VK-31/32SE have RCA and XLR inputs. The 32SE has more midrange bloom, the 31SE has better dynamics, FWIW. Personally I prefer preamps from ARC, Aesthetix and VAC, but my list of requirements is different from yours. So reading your list of requirements, I'd recommend BAT.

Cheers,
John
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