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Tube preamp options

My system from the preamp on consists of a rouge rp-7, rogue m180 monoblocks, and vandersteen quatro wood speakers. My main source is a brinkmann Bardo through a Rogers PA-2 phono pre. It all sounds great. But there's that itch, you know? I get tremendous soundstage but not that much depth. Clarity is great, mids are nice, bass is excellent. But it doesn't quite have that in the room sound that I'm looking for. The RP7 sounded too solid state and analytical for me out of the box with the stock JJ tubes so I've done extensive rolling. Been through all sorts of NOS tubes and landed on amperex as they seem to have the best balance of warmth and clarity. My thought is, maybe I can find a pre that has those attributes out of the gate without all the rolling. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of being able to tailor the sound with trying different tubes but I feel like maybe there's a brand out there who's house sound I like better. I haven't listened to anything more yet but brands that are on the list to check out are Backert labs, maybe a used ARC Ref 6, VTL, VAC. There are a million little boutique brands tho and I'm asking what people have heard in the 10k price range, new or used, that might be a good fit for me and why. 

Thanks! 

rmdmoore

Showing 2 responses by holmz

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

As usual, @tomic601 , gives sound advice, and +1 on joining the Vandy forum.

+1 and nice pun on “sound advice” Bob… that is a good job on a Sunday.

The local book shop sells LPs as well as books and cards. Yesterday (Saturday) on the TT was “Best of the Smiths” playing. And the Australian Author Di Morrissey’s new book “The High Tide” was on display.

I picked up the book, and asked is this the Morrissey that is playing on the TT?
The shop attendant started out saying, “No it is the Smiths”, and then paused… and said, “we need to close soon.”
The Mrs bought a couple of things.

 

I've looked at the Atma stuff and it's all balanced which is great but would mean I'd need a different phono stage and I really like mine.

I am not sure that is 100% a certainly… The cartridge can feed out as balanced or wired to be single ended.
I am pretty sure that it is possible to bring in the RCA into a balanced preamp with a custom made cable. (I have done it.)

Sonically it did not seem to be vastly different.

It is probably a good time to get @atmasphere to opine on the phono and preamp…

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

I want to thank everyone for l the input. This was quite a lively thread. As I previously mentioned I ended up moving the speakers as far as I could out into the room. This got the front baffle about 42 inches from the front wall. I toed them in a little just to sharpen focus. I did get some improvement in depth but marginal really and I can't move the speakers ang more.

At one point two houses back, I pulled them out into the room about that amount (42”).
The WAF meter went into the red.

And SWMBO said, “The sound is coming from the outside of the wall. I don’t even hear the speakers… I have never heard anything like that.”

 

As I mentioned I found an older model 2 preamp of his online and bought it. Holy crap the thing is amazing. The greatest amount of clarity and detail but without sounding analytical. I've never heard anything like it.

At some point one must stop.

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