Scott enjoy the road to audio bliss for it never ends.
Tube preamp recommendations
Hi everyone,
As I posted a while back, I have given separates a try after quite a while with integrated amps. I had been using a Simaudio i-1. I found it to be a bit thin/brittle in the highs and perhaps a bit too clinical. So, I bought a used McCormack DNA-125 amp and am currently running it through the pre-out on the Simaudio. The McCormack throws an large, deep soundstage and provided much more bass depth and warmth than the Simaudio. However, the sonic signatures of the Simaudio are still there, obviously.
I tried a Conrad-Johnson Classic 2 preamp. While it was smoother and more coherent than the Simaudio's preamp, it still seemed a bit too thin to my ears. I had to make a decision on it before I had the chance to roll tubes, so it might just have been the stock tube (which was brand new).
So, I'm looking for a simple tube preamp that provides a richer midrange than I have with the Sim preamp. I don't need massive bass slam, or extremely detailed treble. In fact, I am very sensitive to treble grain and sibilance. I only need two inputs, and I don't need phono/dac/record out, etc. I'd like to keep the price under 2k, preferably around $1500. The rest of my system is as follows:
a. Primary source: Marantz TT 15s1 w/Jolida JD9 mk3 phono stage
b. Secondary source: Marantz SA8004 SACD player
c. Speakers: Harbeth P3esr
So, if you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it. I thank you in advance for your time.
Best, Scott
As I posted a while back, I have given separates a try after quite a while with integrated amps. I had been using a Simaudio i-1. I found it to be a bit thin/brittle in the highs and perhaps a bit too clinical. So, I bought a used McCormack DNA-125 amp and am currently running it through the pre-out on the Simaudio. The McCormack throws an large, deep soundstage and provided much more bass depth and warmth than the Simaudio. However, the sonic signatures of the Simaudio are still there, obviously.
I tried a Conrad-Johnson Classic 2 preamp. While it was smoother and more coherent than the Simaudio's preamp, it still seemed a bit too thin to my ears. I had to make a decision on it before I had the chance to roll tubes, so it might just have been the stock tube (which was brand new).
So, I'm looking for a simple tube preamp that provides a richer midrange than I have with the Sim preamp. I don't need massive bass slam, or extremely detailed treble. In fact, I am very sensitive to treble grain and sibilance. I only need two inputs, and I don't need phono/dac/record out, etc. I'd like to keep the price under 2k, preferably around $1500. The rest of my system is as follows:
a. Primary source: Marantz TT 15s1 w/Jolida JD9 mk3 phono stage
b. Secondary source: Marantz SA8004 SACD player
c. Speakers: Harbeth P3esr
So, if you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it. I thank you in advance for your time.
Best, Scott