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Tube Preamps...I'm sold

At the constant urging of my friend I finally decided to audition a tube preamp (Eistein The Tube). All I can say is I am completely sold on the benefits of tubes in my system. I am not sure I have the vocabulary to describe what I heard but everything just sounded right. Vocals has a realism that made it seem I was in the same room as the musician. Instruments sounded like they were supposed to. There were details I have never heard before. What is amazing to me is that I have what I believe to be a pretty good ss preamp (Classe CP-700).

Ok, now for the hard part...finding the right tube preamp. The Einstein is amazing but I want to audition more. Can anyone suggest a tube pre in the range of $10K and less? I would love to some one with an output trigger and very fine volume control (0.5db). Thats all I need.

Thanks in advance.
128x128tboooe

Showing 7 responses by crem1

crem1
672 posts
 
Tooob : Sorry T/P > Tube Preamp. Thanks for reading and responding.
crem1
672 posts
 
John: I agree the AR SP-10 needs some modification to bring it to the MK II status. My SP-10 MK II was modified by Gary Muffely , a fellow who knows more about circuits than anyone I have ever met , and at my age that's saying something . Sorry, I can't say that I have had the same experience as you. My "10" was carefully re-worked and select tubes replaced the factory set. Images appear to float in the air... Of course my set-up may account for the experience. In real $$$$ terms one would have to spend 12K to duplicate the "10". You are on the Mo'Money " Top-tier performave does not come cheap" .
crem1
672 posts
 
If any of you folks know anything about T/P's : Stop wasting your bucks and find a pristine AR SP 10- MK II for a tad under 3K and start with one of the classics that is still available. Buy it , upgrade it (perhaps) and be prepaired to be satisified. Its like having Reita Hayworth over for a smoke. Beauty that doesn't quit.
crem1
672 posts
 
Jafox :
After sliding into the slumber position for the night , my foggy-bottom mind woke me up. One tweak, that I failed to mention, that has an impact on what you hear , I have performed since The Absolute Sound wrote of it in '93 is shooting a tad of DC current into the "10's" imputs. Nothing extreme, just using a Mc demagger as TAS outlined. That smack of DC helps to eliminate AC eddies that form around the leads of almost all compoments within the case. The sound is transformed as is the unit. XLO also put out a CD that roughtly producees the same results. The process is performed every month or so 5 seconds on 5 seconds off via a interrconnect. Remarkable results for tube preamps. Enought ... Golden Slumber Time.
crem1
672 posts
 
Jafox ( John) : For the sake of transparency & accuracy , The demagg tweak was proposed by Thomas O. Miller , " Tweak of the Year" , " The Absolute Sound ", Volume 18, Issue 92 Winter , page 103. The tweak came to the attention of Mr. Miller via Roger Skoff of XlO Electric who co-produced the CD "The Sheffield/XlO Test & Burn-in CD" (adv.p.35). The XLO CD also contains calabration frequencies ( sec.6 & 7) that appear to do the same. According to XLO , the CD can be adapted for use with phono imputs.. Use either tweak only at very low listening levels-- afterward no problem , only jaw dropping sound . XLO is still around I believe , p/h 909-466-0382.
crem1
672 posts
 
Tboooe : As a tube guy for years (and years) the Audio Research Sp 10 MkII version offers classic sound an phono section to die for . I have owned a 1983 version for 10+ years. The sound is dependent on the quality/age of tubes and such, but is unmatchable in-terms of soundstage & "realism". I know as the years pass these preamps are harder to find ...They are worth the effort. You would be surprized at the # of audio reviewers that own/crave one. Best To Your Hunt
crem1
672 posts
 
Thomas O' Miller wrote " Best Tweak of the Year" "Still got your Sumiko Fluxbuster (discontinued)? Instead of just busting your cartridge's flux, turn it around.Plug the Fluxbuster into the system as a source and run its signal through the whole system at the lowest loudness levels." Atmasphere , thank you . In my opinion the Audioquest demagger works equally as well as the Fluxbuster or XLO CD. The Aq operates on 4 AA dc batteries.
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