Thank you very much, Kalali, for your insights. Your opportunity to compare this amp to the LS26 is especially interesting. I am a big fan of ARC components. I just can't afford them :)
Maybe tube preamp
My current setup is Tidal; ifi nano DSD; Parasound HCA 2200 (recent purchase) ; Magnepan 1.7i
This arrangement sounds pretty good at low volume with most material. However I think it would benefit from a preamp. The ifi's output maxes out at 1.3 volts. I was thinking the warmth of a tube preamp would be a good match for this setup. Years ago I had a New York Audio Labs setup. I liked it but it save for the noise floor. My HCA 2200 is blissfully silent.
My budget is about $1,000
Advice?
This arrangement sounds pretty good at low volume with most material. However I think it would benefit from a preamp. The ifi's output maxes out at 1.3 volts. I was thinking the warmth of a tube preamp would be a good match for this setup. Years ago I had a New York Audio Labs setup. I liked it but it save for the noise floor. My HCA 2200 is blissfully silent.
My budget is about $1,000
Advice?
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- 47 posts total
If you can stretch your budget to $1390, I don't see how you can go wrong with one of these: http://www.tubes4hifi.com/pre12.htm#SP14 or if you can build a kit, then "a complete kit of all parts to build is $960 plus $40" which would be right on the mark at $1000 |
I would have to concur that Aric Audio would be a good place to start. I have several pieces from his bench due in large part to the sound floor. If it's not dead black silent, it doesn't get out of his shop. That holds true for both amps and preamps. Plus, as has been mentioned, he is refreshingly genuine to work with and is as passionate about tubes as anyone I've met. |
Claudebond & Analogluvr: Thanks for the suggestion, but I am not ready for a kit. I did a rough count and I figure there are about 400 solder joints in that kit. It would take me a year. I am not willing to wait that long. TubePower: Thanks, that is good to hear. While we are talking about jumping the budget up to $1400, What do you think of the Transend 6SN7 Line stage? Is it worth the extra $400? ( It definitely looks cooler. ) Do you have experience with 6SN7 tubes as opposed to the 12AX7 tubes used in the Unlimited? Kalali & David_Ten (and anyone else): Please feel free to chime in. One other note: I saw a photo of the 'innards' of the upgraded Unlimited, and it is pretty ugly. I realize it is at least in part due to the fact that ALL the components are point to point wired (zero circuit boards), but still. A little organization would be a confidence builder. |
- 47 posts total