2. amps-preamps
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Need preamp recommendation

Well, the quest for the tube rolling didn't go anywhere after a quick phone call to a tube vendor who advised me that low noise tubes won't lower the background noise of the preamp. Unfortunately I need to replace my VTL TL-5.5 to something else with lower noise floor.

The new preamp must have very low noise. My amps have about 25dB of gain, and my speakers are 93dB sensitive. It can reveal small amount of idle noise too well, which was undetectable with the same speakers but with power amp of 15dB of gain. Also the new preamp must have low / no gain, or adjustable gain. My VTL has additional 20dB of gain, and it's just too loud.

Some of the preamps that piqued my interests are Aesthetix Calypso, Placette, and Sonic Euphoria. I've read some earlier models of Calypso suffered from noise issue. I'd like to hear from the owners with sensitive speakers and high gain amps if there is any noise issue.

I'd love to try the new TL-5.5 which was long announced, but I don't think it's shipping yet. Anyone from VTL reading this board?

Any other low noise preamp that I should consider? I'd like the tubes, but as tube gears have inherently higher noise floor I'll also consider solid states and passive designs. The budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it under $3k. The new preamp will be driving Pass XA-30.5.
jylee
tvad
9,467 posts
 
You seem keenly sensitive to noise that many people might consider normal,
as evidenced by your statement that you detected hiss with your ear placed
against the tweeter.

Because of your sensitivity to noise, I'm doubtful you're going to find a tube
preamp in your price range that's remotely quiet enough to suit your needs.

I agree with Guido. Buy a balanced, solid state preamp. You will have no
noise, IMO.

I use Pass Labs XA-60.5 with 93dB speakers, and I run it in balanced mode
with an SMc Audio VRE-1 preamp. Dead quiet (but it's over your budget).

Look into a used Pass Labs, Rowland, Klyne or Classe.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
I also recommend the Shindo Aurieges L. It is a superbly musical preamp that is a bargain at $3K new. I use it in my secondary system. It is a dead quiet preamp. Just a great preamp for its price point, provided you do not need remote control for volume, switching inputs, etc.
jylee OP
306 posts
 
My ear pressed against the tweeter was in the previous setup, while trying to compare two amps after I noticed excessive noise with the current setup. I don't normally go around and put my ear on the tweeters. :)
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Be mindful of the output impedance of any tube preamp you might consider. It needs to be relatively low (I'd suggest under 200 ohms) to produce deep, articulate bass from the XA-30.5.

I used a Lamm LL2 Deluxe with good results (and it's in your price range). Also, a Juicy Music Peach worked quite well.
mitch2
1,911 posts
 
I have the LL2 Deluxe recommended by Tvad, and it is a great sounding preamp, and quiet too for a fully tubed design - but it is not "dead quiet." Neither was the BAT VK51SE I owned, or any other tubed preamp I have owned (CAT, Asthetix, SF, Joule). My recommendation for a very, very quiet preamp that displays some of the dimensional qualities of tubes would be to try the Tom Evans Vibe with Pulse power supply(the Pulse is a must). It is sort of a hair shirt design with only an input selector, volume control and all single-ended, but it presents a natural and very enjoyable sound that I could live with (some call it a little "dark" sounding).
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