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best pre/amp tube combo for under 3500?

I have energy veritas 2.3 speakers, well tempered classic with black platter and tone arm, cary 303/100 cd player and a plinius 8200m2 amp. I'm interested in upgrading to tube separates for a warmer sound. The pre I'm considering the most is an audible illusion 3a and the amp is a conrad johnson primier 11a. I might jump up to the primier 12. Also the Audio research 100 monos. All advice regarding individual components and how they work together is greatly apprciated.

Atlasman
atlasman
steelhead
288 posts
 
I have bought used CJ tube pre (PV11) in 97 and amp (11a) in 98 and still appreciate they way they brought my Martin Logans to life. Also trouble free in operation.

Have Fun!
atlasman OP
1 posts
 
thanks everybody!

Andrew
drubin
3,240 posts
 
I spent some time with the 8200 integrated, including some extended listening to the pre-amp section only. I thought the pre-amp was definitely the weak link in the 8200 (though I wasn't wild about the whole thing, frankly), so I'm sure you will benefit greatly from using a better pre-amp with the 102.

No personal experience with the 102. Some credible people around here love it, but then there's the equally credible Wayne Garcia at TAS.
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