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Tube Preamp suggestion for the uninitiated

I'm a graduating medical student from UW Madison, and have a relatively limited budget that involves selling off everything I own on ebay in order to afford nice audio equipment. (In case you wanted to know...)

Currently have some TAD Hibachi monoblocks and monitor audio RS6 towers, and I need some tube loving preamplification after my VDAC. I have about $900 but could scrounge up to $1k if deemed quite necessary.

Perhaps advice from someone who knows what they are talking about and has the freedom to buy and try a couple of preamps? Something with nice low end and to smooth out the highs? Please no advice if you've only owned one preamp and like it! That doesn't count!
drhartung
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Go with a Cayin 100 and sell off your current amps, that way you will put financial balance into the system.
pdspecl
254 posts
 
I've owned TAD 150 Signature, VTL 2.5. Like them both and each cost me < $800. TAD phono section is not so good. My VTL does not have phono. Both have basic remotes.
Have not personally heard Manley Shrimp, Juicy Music Peach but have read the are also good.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
The original Quicksilver Full Function preamp has extremely low output impedance making it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers and cables. Look for the later version with 5AR4 rectifier and stay away from modified units. This preamp is over built by today's standards and has been replaced by a preamp listing for $4,000.

Conrad Johnson PV-10 and PV-11 preamps are too boring.
hack
185 posts
 
The only preamplifier I can think of in your price range would be an Audio Research (I owned a SP9 MK II, SP11)before moving on to more expensive BAT tube preamps. An intro to tube preamplifers:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1300393330&/Audio-Research-ls2b-mkii-great

If you can stretch a bit/haggle I highly recommend this BAT preamp (I owned one for 8 years):

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1299011864&/BAT-VK30-tube-preamplifier

I've heard good things about Rogue preamps, I haven't owned one but evidently it's a good value. Otherwise you're left with a variety of preamps from China:

Jolida, Shanling, Shengda, Dared etc...
eslaudio
118 posts
 
Congratulations on finishing med school! I agree with Buconero that you might want to consider selling your amps and buying a quality tube integrated. You'll also save this way by not needing to use an interconnect. Your speakers are fairly efficient at 91db with 6 ohm impedance, so any 40+ watt tube integrated will probably do the job. In addition to the Cayin, I would take a look at the Rogue Cronus and Manley Stingray.
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