2. amps-preamps
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Help picking a tube preamp, please

Can you suggest a new tube preamp? This is the kind of thing I'm looking for:

-the usual goals for good dynamics and detail, quiet background, uncolored and even tonality and good imaging, but I'm especially keen on articulate bass extension. I frequently listen at lower levels, so appreciate the bass extension.
- small, fine volume-control steps via remote control. This is absolutely key for enjoyment.
- no phono input needed. Actually, only one or maybe two inputs are needed.
- budget $6-7k-ish, new or newer-used. Budgets are mere guidelines.
- must be available for an in-home demo somehow.
- emotionally I prefer point-point wiring, but execution is all that matters.
- if a preamp is sold with more shrill reissue tubes, I can fix that later with some nice NOS ones.

Connected gear: both hi-res and redbook files fed from a CAPS Zuma SoTM server computer into a Hegel HD25 DAC, said preamp into Quicksilver Silver 88 amps with some NOS input tubes and KT150 output tubes driving Sonus Faber Elipsa SE speakers, all wired up with Kimber 1026, 1126, and 6065 hybrid cabling.

Thanks much, Ralph
ralpheburns
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
So you want a vacuum tube preamp. A quaint little box filled with 19th century technology, the warm orange glow of hot little glass bottles void of atmosphere but full of metals banned in most countries these days. Who can't be pulled back to yesteryear with those warm full tones magically pouring from those ubiquitous glass bottles. A miracle of genius and determination coaxing electrons through near lethal high voltage circuits. Oh the thrill of the music knowing death is just a finger poke away.
What an accomplishment creating sound out of decaying metal filaments spitting electrons into space. Wonderful, beautiful sound as long as everything is perfect: Bias voltage not too low or too high, no vibrations, heat not too low or too high, no radio signals/RFI to botch things up, connections not corroded and lastly humidity not too high or too low. So get your tube preamp, shop for just the right tubes, check the tubes for proper operation, check all connections, check voltages, let the unit warm up, kick back and enjoy.
Don't worry, I'm immersed in this hobby up to my neck too.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
Al has a good suggestion heed it.
If you want good increment control over the entire volume range, this can only be achieved by a pre that has full range of motion control with your amp without having too much gain.
This pre can be set/switched to high or minimal gain, which means the full 100 steps of the volume control may be at your disposal. Instead of just from 7 o'clock to 9 o'clock for full level.

Cheers George
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
Don't ya love asking for suggestions of tube pre-amps to check out, and getting lectured on the obsolescence of tube pre-amps?!
goldprintaudio's avatar
goldprintaudio
332 posts
 
Cary SLP98 or perhaps SLP05.

***Cary dealer disclaimer***
ralpheburns OP
19 posts
 
Hello Agoners,

I really appreciate all the input, and reckon that we are all more lost without each other! There are some good suggestions to start; Cary SLP-05 gets frequently suggested, BAT, Herron and VTL. Curiously nobody mentioned Aesthetix. The 10Y arises curiousity... I couldn't find about costs. A suggestion had me thinking in a tangent...

Since my sole source is digital, then how about leaving out the preamp in favor of a DAC with a proper analog volume control? I don't need source selection, and can still consort with Tonywinsc about NOS tubes in my Quicksilver Silver power amps. My source is a PCM/DSD library from JRiver on a micro Zuma SoTM CAPs. Selling my current SS preamp and PCM DAC will net around $7500, funds that can be recycled into a PCM/DSD DAC with a proper volume control.

A potential candidate is the MSB Analog DAC, which does all this and potentially offers upgrade capacity. The volume control is 1db (78) stepped-attenuator. There's someone selling their Herron VTSP-3Ar02 here on A'gon because they did the same exact thing. Thoughts?
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