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Which is a better choice? New, or used preamp?

So I've been doing a lot of research, and am interested in people's opinions about a new vs. used tube preamps...

I'm looking for a good quality tube pre, maybe around $1500. People have recommended some new products (Doge an YS for example) in that price range, but I can't help but wonder if I'm not going to get a better performance with a used pre in that price range that used to sell new for maybe $2500-$3500?

That would be a 10-15 year old pre probably, so has the quality advanced such that the YS could present a better soundstage, for example?

Thanks,

Michael
mjm6
rdavwhitaker
173 posts
 
One preamp that would meet your criteria is the VTL 2.5. It is in the right price and age range, purchased used, and is renowned for its soundstage. There are a couple threads discussing the 2.5 on this site - it has an enviable reputation.

No doubt others will suggest equally attractive options.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
I'd second the ARC SP-15 which is a great value & classic valve preamp if you can find one here on the 'Gon. Another good pre to look at is a near new Modwright LS-100 which you can pick up (ex phono stage) for around $2k, or with phono stage around $3k.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
CJ sounds less like solid state than ARC for example. My advice is to replace, or have any and all electrolytic capacitors replaced when you buy used. Over a period of years they get weaker and degrade the performance; of course this only applies to older used preamps
larryi
3,989 posts
 
I am not familiar with the sound of Sonic Frontier gear, but, your description of your preference would suggest something other than Audio Research and even BAT. The Audio Research gears tends toward a quite lean sound (much more so than most solid state gear).

I suggest looking at Joule, Conrad Johnson, VAC, Cary, Jadis and Lamm. There are a lot of obscure brands that are terrific, though MUCH harder to find used, such as, Audiospace (a Hong Kong brand that has been putting out great gear for a long time), Fi, Air Tight,and de Havilland.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
A hybrid rather than a tubed preamp, but wow do I like the Musical Fidelity kW. By buying used you are able to afford features in amps and preamps that you might not be able to afford otherwise, particularly in terms of parts that make up a big chunk of the price for these. In partucular I'm thinking of the toroids and power supply caps, and transformers.

Power supply in that kW is massive, and a good power supply goes a long way in audio...
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