Once again...looking for a "tube like" SS preamp

All

Thank you very much for your responses. Orpheus10 - since you insisted on being bored, this is what I am trying to do. I currently have an Aesthetix Calypso Signature preamp with NOS Mullards. While I absolutely love the sound, I am looking for something that is relative hassle free in terms of warm up time, tube matching etc. My idea is to ADD a SS preamp in the system and run the tube preamp through it in a bypass mode. That way, I can use the SS for casual listening and switch to tubes only when playing records. Now, I know that running the tube preamp this way will result in a bit of a sonic degradation. I am willing to live with the compromise and did not want well meaning a'goners to sidetrack the thread from my main question.

Now, in hindsight, I asked a pretty dumb question. No SS can sound like tubes and no tubes can sound like SS. In addition, "tube like" means different things to different folks. After all, not all tube preamps sound the same either. Onhway61 - your point on the bryston is well taken. I had the chance to listen to it briefly yesterday and while we may disagree on what makes a tube sound - it is pretty clear that the bryston is quite far from it.

So, let me ask my question differently. What SS premp under $5k would you recommend for faitgue free musical sound? In your experience, would either the Capri or the Bryston BP26 fit this criteria?

Many thanks.

I have owned two that fit your needs very nicely.

- Tom Evans Vibe with Pulse power supply is fantastic and exactly what you are looking for.
- Bel Canto Pre 3 can be had for only $1000 used and is also very, very good and fits your needs. It surpasses the Rowland Capri in every possible way also.

Oh ah, nevermind newbie!:)

and Orpheus, have you checked out your tubes lately? You might be missing something that you don't even realize. With all that tube gear, if you don't have one, invest a couple hundred in a tester. No I haven't had any problems with tubes and I guess I assumed to much with LP newbie's response. I was painting an often repeated objection to tubes in this forum over the years, this one is a first for me.! Good luck newbie with your search.

Believe it or not Tubegroover, my ears are better than any tube tester. I once bought some bargain tubes from Brent Jesse that he told me were as good as the real deal. After listening, I sent them back for the real deal replacement. Since they cost half as much as "the real deal" I had no gripe.

"I don't need no stinkin tube tester".

I hear you Orpheus but I want to be sure I'm getting what I'm paying for. You can easily purchase tubes that sound great but may not measure up, its happened to me numerous times over the years unless you purchase from trusted dealers. Even one "repudable" well known dealer I purchased from sold me 4 small "NOS" dual triodes that went south in less than 2 years, all of them, we're not talking a hot circuit here either. I have numerous brands of this type in my catche with nary a problem and some still in the amp testing very strong after 6 years continuous use. Unfortunately this dealer came highly recommended so I didn't test prior to installation. I've never made that mistake again. Yes your ears can tell you plenty but a tester can tell you if you're getting what you're paying for so far as electrical parameters. Optimal performance requires testing periodically, trust me on this, you sometimes don't realize what you're missing until it becomes quite obvious, your hearing becomes acclimated.