So many preamps, so little time


I am trying to move up the tube audio food chain having left solid state recently (after listening to tubes I can never go back). Since then I have gone from ultra-linear tube amps to a used pair of Cary 805AE (300b) monoblocks (very happy!). I still have a Primaluna Prolouge 3 tube preamp; I rolled a pair NOS Radiotechniques (French military 1955)and a pair of Pope Holland (NOS 1959) replacing the stock Chineese 12AX7 and 12AU7 (which have really opened up that little preamp).

My interconnects are Acoustic Zen and speaker cables are Red Dawns (Silver)connected to a pair of Vienna Acoustic Concert Grands (sensitivity 91db). I have a Cary 300/303 CD player, and PS Audio line regenerator.

My sound room is small (12 x 12)so my listening is mostly direct energy from the speakers. Still, I enjoy a wonderful soundstage with much of the benefits that tubes provide.

I would appreciate your recommendations on a preamp upgrade. I have tried bypassing the preamp altogether but have decided not to go down that road. I expect to be looking in the used market for something.

Is it a waste of money to buy a balanced-preamp with an un-balanced system? I find reviews aren't any help (every preamp out there is "always the best"). What do you guys like? Any input would be appreciated.
erfranke
Hi Erfranke, take a look at my Gon review of the Audio Valve Eklipse preamp for the details regarding its sonic performance. I still have not found a better sounding linestage in my system even at almost triple the price of the Eklipse. I have owned or auditioned some of the highest regarded passive, SS, and tube preamps on the market and still have not found one I like better sonicly. Good luck in your search.
check out the axiom piece i got it with the caddock up grade,they offer a modded unit my ls2 sits idle (saving energy)$165 new used $85 used great sounding music doesnt have to break the bank Good luck
Buy one of those Sonic Euphoria PLCs on the Gon right now. Game over.....

Shakey
Stay with Cary... SLP-98 if you are on a budget, SLP-05 if you can spend a bit more. The 05 is a phenomenal pre.
For me, a good tube preamp that mated nicely with a Cary V12i amp is the Joule Electra LA-100 MkIII. Might be worth trug with your 805AE.

Stick with single ended versus introducing a balanced preamp. While most balanced preamps have the option to use single ended outputs they sound best when using the balanced outputs.