Preamp suggestions for Thiel 3.6 & Bryston 4B-sst

Hi Dbdog: I own all ARC gear (pre, phon, CD and amp) and love it!! I've tried several ARC pre-amps (SP-9, SP-16, SP-17 and Ref-3) and amps (VS 110 and VS 115). Don't know much about Bryston. Let me put something out there for you to think about. I also encourage others to weigh in too of course.

Rather than an ARC pre-amp, how about an ARC amp? I'm not sure whether the pre or the amp will contribute more to the type of "warm-tubey" sound you are looking for. If you want to think about the amp route, I suggest a VS 110. There was a VS 110 for sale on A'gon for a decent price, but I just checked and saw that it was sold. No surprise there. It's a great amp. Not to worry though because a VS 110 always comes up for sale from time to time.

If you are still bent on an ARC pre, I see that there is a SP-17 listed on A'gon for sale for $2300. It is a very good pre and will deliver a lot of what your looking for, but not everything (e.g., only SE inputs and outputs). See http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1300766954 Check ARCDB.com for details.

If those have metal dome tweeters than good luck with them and Bryston as the upper range in the Bryston is bright to begin with.A silk dome tweeter is better.

I'd suggest Conrad Johnson preamp, You have described Classic CJ sound.

A used BAT preamp will give you everything you are looking for.

Great input so far folks. Many thanks. A couple of comments:
Rgd: great suggestion on the 6922 tubes. Thanks.

Markwatkiss: The LS15 sounds nice. I'd need to invest in a seperate phono stage and headphone amp but that may be necessary anyway

Samzx12: I added MIT cables and was blown away with the difference. Much warmer but still not as lush and soft as I'm looking for.

Bifwynne: Unfortunately my speakers are terribly demanding and really do need solid state power and control. I'll look at the SP-17. Thanks

Mclsound: Yup that's the hole I have dug for myself.

Timlub: very interesting idea. I've heard CJ before and really liked their sound.

Tom_hankins: Wow, BAT preamp look awesome. I'll see what I can learn about them. Thanks

Thanks again everyone. Other comments welcomed as well.

I'm wrestling with the knowledge that while I'm at work my wife if very likely to turn the system on to listen to a 10 minute newscast and walk away leaving the preamp on all day. Ugh, I wish tubes like to be left on 24/7. *groan* lol

Cheers
Dave