best bang for the buck tube preamp?

The Bottlehead Seduction preamp would be a great amp for the money. On the side you learn some DIY. And if not interested in DIY at all, you can find them used on Agon sometime.

The Quicksilver pre runs around $550 and gets some great comments as well. My favorite sub 1k tube amp is the Fi Y, although that one never comes up used and is usually discounted only 10-20% from new.

Also, not a tube pre, but the Promitheus TVC passive preamp sound like a great deal for the money. There is a 6moon review coming up.

Good luck!

Rene

TAD 150

The Bottlehead Foreplay is the Pre Amp.. Not the Seduction it is a Headphone Amp.

Thanks Rene..I hadn't thought about this either. A fellow(oliverlim) mentioned on a thread I started on audiocircle about the Promitheus that he replaced his Rotel 1068 with the Promitheus for music. I found his comments here Promitheus. It ain't tubes but it sure sounds fantastic!

Good listening

Based on your system- a tube pre should be a welcomed addition providing it is quiet enough. It needs to have good tubes in it, too.

From what I've read about your dvd/cd player, you need a pre that preserves your imaging. Adding a little "bite" might not be bad because some of your stuff is kinda on the smooth side- even if it is digital. You need very little gain...

So, I'd be looking for a tube pre with a lively attitude- yet quiet enough to not be noticed. If you want the ultimate in bang for the buck- think DIY (do it yourself).

I suggest a Bottlehead Foreplay III linestage. It's a DIY kit that's VERY easy to build and has enough gain to easily drive your amp. It should knock the socks off your system. My guess is that it would add some much needed sparkle and fill it all out with a more "lush" staging. Your rig is begging for something like this.

You could also get a DYNACO pas3 pre for cheap and do a few upgrades- like some good telefunken tubes, a better power supply, power cord, and upgraded input/output jacks. Once upgraded- they're really hard to beat. The cool thing is, their price gets you in the world of tubes for cheap and the upgrades will come later as you have the cash to do them. You can always get your money back out of a PAS3. They have a very firm value (+/- $300) for a good one.

Have fun!!