I’m looking for suggestions for a tube Pre Amp


My Current System:

Benchmark USB DAC1
NAD M3 Integrated Amp
Vandersteen 2CE

For a long time I was rocking a Wavelength Brick USB Dac (which is a tube dac) as my source component, but have now moved to a Benchmark DAC1 USB. I like the idea of having a tube somewhere in my system but I don’t really think I can afford to maintain a tube amplifier. That being said, I’m considering adding in a nice tube preamp then use my NAD as a power amp only (and potentially moving away from the integrated NAD at some point).

Can anyone suggest a moderately priced Tube Preamp that would complement this system well?
128x128slappyjam

Showing 1 response by ddd1

I think you have a nicely balanced (non-tube) system as is.

If changing, I would keep DAC-1 and use as a preamp. Get a tube power amp and some sensitive speakers (ie. Tekton, Klipsch, etc.) That way you get tube sound in a smaller amp that is cheaper to re-tube. If you like what you hear but need a pre for switching among more sources, get a passive.