Need budget, used tube preamp to go with Bel Canto


Hi, Gang!

I am moving up to separates from a Unison Unico integrated amp. I want to see what my Ohm Walsh 100-S3 speakers will sound like with more power. I picked up a Bel Canto S300 (150 W into 8 ohms) here on Audiogon. Now I need a preamp. I'm pretty much sold on getting a tube preamp, but my budget is only $700 max this time. So a used preamp is obviously the way to go. I don't need a phono stage because I have an outboard unit (a Bottlehead Seduction that I built.)

What suggestions do you have for a relatively inexpensive used tube preamp that will mate well with the S300?

And what do you think of using a Peachtree Decco as a preamp? My CD player (Music Hall CD 25.2) has digital out, so I could use the digital in on the Decco for that, and use the analog inputs for my phono stage and tuner.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!
rebbi

Showing 7 responses by rebbi

Elevick,

I notice that there are a few MFA Magus pre's available right now. I'll have to check them out.
Report: the Manley Shrimp sounds fantastic with the BC S300! Open, airy and dimensional. Recommend this combo highly! :-)
Hmmmm... I hope that doesnt' mean I'm screwed and can't use a tube preamp! I'll check with Bel Canto.
Pdspecl,

Thanks for the advice. I've also seen CJ PV-5 and PV-6 preamps advertised here. I wonder how they stack up. But CJ is a brand that I see recommended in threads here repeatedly. I hadn't heard of TAD before. I'll check it out. Thanks again.
Chazzbo,

Yes, I'll report back. Power amp arrived today and preamp should be here within a week or so.
Ended up with a Manley Shrimp tube preamp which I got at a good price here. It has an output impedance of only 50 ohms, so it'll drive the Bel Canto just fine. I'll report back when it's all hooked together. Thanks for the advice, y'all.