Quiet Tube Preamp Recommendations sub $1000


Desire Liquid, 3D Holographic, non-fatiguing/music draws you in sound, w/lots of PRAT. Not a total basshead.

Mainly listen to rock (alternative, classic, some metal...Police, Dire Straits, old U2, Chili Peppers, Beck, Cat Power etc)

Paired w/either a McCormack .05 Rev A or Monarchy SM70pro (both 100K input impedance)

Speakers Energy RC-10 (88db).. or Coincident Triumph (90db.. I think)...haven't given much thought to speakers yet.

Currently using a Monarchy M24 w/stock tubes (3.5K output impedance, 16db gain).

Sounds pretty good, just curious if I can lower the noise-floor.

Would a preamp/amp with a lower output/imput impedance be "quieter". I understand that all tube preamps hiss to a certain extent, but is it possible to "virtually" eliminate it?

Should I try new tubes? Suggestions?

Input appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
elf73

Showing 1 response by elevick

Hiss should not be an issue. New tubes should do it, if not take the pre in. If I can hear hiss from more than 2 feet from my speakers, I do something about it. High efficiency speakers such as coincidents will only exagerate the hiss.