2. amps-preamps
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Need preamp recommendation

Well, the quest for the tube rolling didn't go anywhere after a quick phone call to a tube vendor who advised me that low noise tubes won't lower the background noise of the preamp. Unfortunately I need to replace my VTL TL-5.5 to something else with lower noise floor.

The new preamp must have very low noise. My amps have about 25dB of gain, and my speakers are 93dB sensitive. It can reveal small amount of idle noise too well, which was undetectable with the same speakers but with power amp of 15dB of gain. Also the new preamp must have low / no gain, or adjustable gain. My VTL has additional 20dB of gain, and it's just too loud.

Some of the preamps that piqued my interests are Aesthetix Calypso, Placette, and Sonic Euphoria. I've read some earlier models of Calypso suffered from noise issue. I'd like to hear from the owners with sensitive speakers and high gain amps if there is any noise issue.

I'd love to try the new TL-5.5 which was long announced, but I don't think it's shipping yet. Anyone from VTL reading this board?

Any other low noise preamp that I should consider? I'd like the tubes, but as tube gears have inherently higher noise floor I'll also consider solid states and passive designs. The budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it under $3k. The new preamp will be driving Pass XA-30.5.
jylee
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Jylee, there's a long way between buzzing in the listening chair and system
noise due to tubes that's "normal" under most conditions.
Buzzing can be a sign of a grounding problem, or of a bad tube. Most
buzzing in my system has been caused by bad tubes, and the buzzing went
away with a tube change.

No argument intended.

Perhaps you can describe more precisely what type of noise, and how much
noise is tolerable to you. Is hiss heard from the listening chair during
moments of no music acceptable?
jylee OP
306 posts
 

I think I missed the part where you said how the Unidisc performs as a preamp. Isnt that thing pretty silent? How does it sound, anyway?

Yes, my Unidisk SC which happens to be for sale right now has a variable level output and does not need a separate preamp. Without preamp the sound is clean and airy. VTL preamp added more fleshed out midrange and dynamics, and I liked the sound with VTL more.

Tvad, if you are near California you are welcome to drop by and hear the noise in person. I don't know how else to describe this. It's random background noise, not a hiss, not a hum, but nasty sound that makes your ear fatigue after short listening. Not audible when the overall gain was 10dB lower, but audible to 8ft away now. I don't care about the noise that I can't hear in the listening seat.

I wanted to get a new set of tubes as well, but the vendor on the phone was honest to tell me that new tubes are not likely to reduce the background noise at the cost of sales for him. I might just try a new set of tubes anyways because it doesn't cost too much to try.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Jylee, is hiss heard from your listening chair during moments when no music is
playing acceptable?
jylee OP
306 posts
 
No, I would consider any persistent noise heard on the listening chair when no music is playing unacceptable. Pops and clicks from the vinyl is fine, so is recorded hiss on certain albums. But if the system has inherent noise that is heard on the listening chair all the time, it is broken in my book.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
09-09-09: Jylee
No, I would consider any persistent noise heard on the listening chair when no music is playing unacceptable.
Then, I know of no tube preamplifier that will suit you.

Look for a solid state or passive preamplifier.
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