Preamp with tone controls other then McIntosh C22


Let me make a confession first. I'm one bad heretic. I use preamps with tone controls. Currently I have tube Mac C22 and it works quite well with my ss power amp. But as always hifi bug screams for improvement. I wonder if anybody can recommend tube preamps with tone controls other then Macs?
vad58
Why not just buy an EQ? The adjustments are much more percise and will allow you to make changes in a way that alters the signal the least.
Good for you!  

The best is almost surely the Luxman Classic CL-38U.  

very good control parameters and Stereophile loves the thing (Class A0

and it is a bargain
no, but the Luxman has the ability to set the parameters for the tone controls

You really need to listen [1] very very carefully [2] in your own room [3] to your own system [4] using careful double blind techniques and [5] using well-known source material of the highest quality

... to hear SQ difference between two high end pre-amps.  The differences are likely to be subtle.
Parasound does. Fairly clean implementation but they're tilting rather than shelving.

Best,

E
Tone controls are usually implemented in two ways:

1. tilting. The FR goes up or down as it gets away from midrange.
2. Shelving. The entire treble or bass region goes up or down a maximum amount.

These are general assesments. Some of the best, in terms of features, were the older Yamaha series with built in parametrics.
"... to hear SQ difference between two high end pre-amps.  The differences are likely to be subtle."

Only if you don't know what you're doing. If you put together a system where the differences between well made, high end preamps are subtle, you really, really messed up. Its time to rethink your approach to audio.
randy-11
Thanx, and yes I can't agree more - need to try it myself, applying major real estate formula: location, location, location - of components in the room I mean.
"Thanx, and yes I can't agree more - need to try it myself, applying major real estate formula: location, location, location - of components in the room I mean.

If you live in the US call The Cable Company. fatwyre.com. They're a Luxman dealer, and I'm sure they can send you a demo unit. But I still say get an EQ instead. Why limit yourself to a very small handfull of choices? The preamp is the single most important piece in your system that you need to get right.

I have a Behringer DEQ 24-96. You can get one for under $300. It has more options on it that you can ever need, and if you run it through your tape loop, you can completely bypass it at will. You can even connect it directly to a dac for better SQ.



Sorry my friend, I missed the "tube" part. :)

If you find a good pre with it, let me know! :)

I think tone controls always require extra gain stages to be implemented well, so any pre that has them may require more tubes. This would be interesting for me if I"m wrong.

Best,

E
sfall
Hi, actually I've heard about Behringer option from someone whom I know in person, but whose system I never listened to. What stopped me. I've been to a lot of audio shows and I never saw an equalizer incorporated in hifi system. Second, it's one more unit on a signal path. Third - EQ Is not a problem with SS preamp, but I do afraid that it can kill the musicality of tubes. Have to admit that it doesn't look like a good reasoning from smb who's interested in tone controls. But I definitely will try to test it. Thanx for the advice.
If you want the best , look no further then the Cello Placcett or the other series which has the tone control.   You will not be disappointed!!
"I've been to a lot of audio shows and I never saw an equalizer incorporated in hifi system. Second, it's one more unit on a signal path."

That shouldn't be a factor. You can run the EQ on a different input or through the tape loop. You can insert or eliminate it from the signal path by pressing a button. If you have a local Guitar Center pick one up and do some experimenting. You have 30 days to return it for a full refund.

"Third - EQ Is not a problem with SS preamp, but I do afraid that it can kill the musicality of tubes."

You may have that experiance, but I don't think it will hold true in every case.