Have you looked at McIntosh? Their new C-2300 is a tube unit that now has both MC and MM phono stages. I recently replaced my C-2200 with the C-2300 and love the openess and transparency of the C-2300. It retails for $6k. McIntosh is often described as making tube electronics that sound like well done solid state and solid state electronics that sound like well done tubes. If you still want solid state, look at the McIntosh C-45 or C-46. You can read a comparison of Mac's tube vs. solid state gear in either Absolute Sound or Stereophile archives. McIntosh is often looked down upon by many, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my Mac systems over the years. Plus, it's still made in the USA.
Transistor Preamp that sounds like a Tube Preamp?
You probably think I'm crazy, but with all the improvements in solid state, are there any transistor preamps that have the following characteristics I hear in tubes?
1. Fully fleshed out instrumental timbre and overtones?
1. Full, alive midrange with bloom, body and dimension?
2. The airy space and separation between instruments?
3. That realness and aliveness of tubes?
4. At a retail of around $6,000 or less?
I'm sure I'll be getting some clashing opinions on this....
1. Fully fleshed out instrumental timbre and overtones?
1. Full, alive midrange with bloom, body and dimension?
2. The airy space and separation between instruments?
3. That realness and aliveness of tubes?
4. At a retail of around $6,000 or less?
I'm sure I'll be getting some clashing opinions on this....