2. amps-preamps
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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
car123's avatar
car123
88 posts
 
joule electra la 100 or 150 mk 2.
pops
2,272 posts
 
Do some research on dehavilland ultraverve, performs way above its price.
mjm6 OP
43 posts
 
Thanks for the additional feedback folks...

I've got a lot of research to do, but this is all very much appreciated information.

---Michael
levy03
442 posts
 
ya never know. i tried 5 pre's when i was auditioning. 2 were current production units and 3 were older....one was very old. was wanting to stay in the $2000-$2500 range. sound wise...the oldest one (pass eleph) sounded best to me. i tried to live with it but not having a remote killed it for me. went back to #2 in my shoot-out (pass x-1) and have been happy ever since.

the two newer units i tried (bel canto and wyred4sound) weren't a good fit for whatever reason...likely my sound preference. it was hard to believe but i liked the neutrality of the older units better.

so my point is....ya never know until it's plugged into your gear.

good luck
audionuts
74 posts
 
IMO, go for a used tube preamp from a well know manufacturing. That way you could save a lot money for some NOS tubes to tailor up your sound reference and maximize its performance. As far as reliable, I haven't got any bad luck with all the used tube that I bought on this website. Go luck on your quest.
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