Tube preamp for under $3000

I am looking for some suggestions for a tube pre to mate with my Pass 250.5 amp and Ascendo C8 Renaissance speakers. I would like it to lean toward the tube sound side. Any suggestions?

pal11-13-2015 6:43pm

Showing 3 responses by mattmiller

mattmiller Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,479 posts 11-13-2015 at 11:01pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete IMO you should check out the Manley Labs Jumbo Shrimp it has remote and uses 3 sets of tubes (no XLR connections). Usually you can find a demo or a preowned unit for around $2200-$2500. New they cost $3800. At the used price this is an amazing deal. If you need XLR outs I would look at Modwright 36.5 that is a awesome preamp as well. Regards, Matt M
mattmiller Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,479 posts 12-12-2015 at 02:57am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete BAT is the worst sounding......Dry, unemotional, and very forgettable highs. On the other hand (and I'm speaking of the 6H30 based BAT's) the BAT has great solid bass and of course they are built like a battleship and the remote could be used as a weapon.
mattmiller Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,479 posts 12-13-2015 at 08:30am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete "The point is so many of these conclusions need to be taken in the context of the system." Point taken, I hear they sound a lot better partnered with their own amplifiers too. I choose Manley Labs pre amp over BAT, Modwright, Mcintosh, Primaluna, over all these the BAT was so bad, I couldn't listen to my system at all. And it ran hot as hell! Regards, Matt M

More to discover