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Tube preamp recommendations

Hi everyone,

As I posted a while back, I have given separates a try after quite a while with integrated amps. I had been using a Simaudio i-1. I found it to be a bit thin/brittle in the highs and perhaps a bit too clinical. So, I bought a used McCormack DNA-125 amp and am currently running it through the pre-out on the Simaudio. The McCormack throws an large, deep soundstage and provided much more bass depth and warmth than the Simaudio. However, the sonic signatures of the Simaudio are still there, obviously.

I tried a Conrad-Johnson Classic 2 preamp. While it was smoother and more coherent than the Simaudio's preamp, it still seemed a bit too thin to my ears. I had to make a decision on it before I had the chance to roll tubes, so it might just have been the stock tube (which was brand new).

So, I'm looking for a simple tube preamp that provides a richer midrange than I have with the Sim preamp. I don't need massive bass slam, or extremely detailed treble. In fact, I am very sensitive to treble grain and sibilance. I only need two inputs, and I don't need phono/dac/record out, etc. I'd like to keep the price under 2k, preferably around $1500. The rest of my system is as follows:

a. Primary source: Marantz TT 15s1 w/Jolida JD9 mk3 phono stage
b. Secondary source: Marantz SA8004 SACD player
c. Speakers: Harbeth P3esr

So, if you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it. I thank you in advance for your time.

Best, Scott
smrex13
david12
1,398 posts
 
I tend to agree, CJ have a "Full Fat" sound to my ears, particularly their older kit. I used a Premier 17 for years and it was one of my best buys, a wide. deep soundstage and detailed but rich, creamy sound.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
4,637 posts
 
Audible Illusions will suit you very well!
soix
2,133 posts
 
Yeah, something seems really strange here. Agree with Jmc above and also wonder what cables, interconnects, power cords you're using. Only other thing I can think of other than the effect of your room is how far you have the speakers pulled out into the room? If you have some good dealers nearby I might try to audition some other speakers that skew even fuller/richer than the Harbeths just for some other points of reference if nothing else. Still, something seems amiss here. Best of luck.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,152 posts
 
Since the cj Classic 2 is a current product, was it
"brand new"? I know you said the tubes were
new.

If the unit itself has/had less than 300-400 hours on it, the
preamp hasn't broken-in yet. High end parts that are
used inside take a pretty long time to settle. Even tubes
require 40-50 hours (and some even more).

I'd try another preamp that was fully broken in before
chasing the dragon...
uberdine
90 posts
 
Before you get into different tubes/preamps I'd play around with your speaker positioning. Make sure the tweeters are at least 6ft apart and if you have them out in the room, move them back towards the wall a touch. Also try moving your listening chair back (if possible).

The other issue is that "thin" usually refers to a lack of bass frequencies between 60 and 250 hertz, but I wonder if you're using it to mean too much treble? Do you find the sound a bit forward/piercing, in a way that drowns out the midrange because it's so in your face? If your ears are sensitive to and/or damaged in the 2-6khz range you'll need to be very careful with your set up. The easiest way to test this is to drape some tissue paper over the tweeters which will attenuate those frequencies without affecting the 10khz plus.
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