2. amps-preamps
  3. 1301002577

A good Preamp for ST70

Hello. I recently bought a Will Vincent ST 70 and I am wanting some advice on a good preamp. Built in phono is not a must but I would like to stick with tubes. This particular St70 has an interesting retro look to it with the meter on the front and of course the exposed tubes. As such I would really like to find a preamp that not only sounds good but has a similar look. As a contrast I would use the CJ PV 14 I have now. I hope that makes sense. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Tracy
kollert
shay123
72 posts
 
How about Dynacos own pas 2 or pas 3. There are plenty of them available and they sound good too.
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hoopster
184 posts
 
Consider a DAC with a passive pre. These can be found tubed for $200 to $600 new. I have a Grant Fidelity TDAC9 ($215 new) with tube output in a second system with a ST70. Two analog inputs and three digitals. Running a Denon 3900 to analog for SACD and through the DAC for redbook conected with the excellent Veloce Black Cat digital cable. The sound rivals my UDP1 in my min rig. A vintage Thorens TD160 with a Goldring 1042 completes the setup. Well, almost completes the setup, a Wadia 170 ipod dock is on the way. then the journey will be complete...maybe.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Don't skimp on a preamp. The ST70 is a far better component than most realize today. Using something too downmarket will show up as the obvious weak link in the chain, and hamstring the ST70 from giving you all it has.

The Audio Electronic Supply (Cary) AE-3 is a superb choice with the ST70. A sleeper, if you can find one as they're quite rare, is the Vacuum Tube Valley Ultrasonic. The AES offers remote control, the VTV does not.

Both sound good no matter they're used in budget or far more upscale systems.
kollert OP
13 posts
 
Shay123, I have seen several pas 2 and 3s here on agon but i wasnt sure of the sound quality although I have no direct experience with them. I think I will pick up the next one just to see. Hey Hoopster, great idea. I have a SS Jolida I could try. Might not meet the look I was wanting. I want to have a vintage look. Looking to add a set of Klipsh horns. A departure from what I have now. Trelja, I was looking at wright preamps as well as the Cary gear. It sounds like you have experience with Cary. What about Wright?
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