Since Krell 302e & Cary SPL-05 have (gain/imp issues) what tube pre is best w/ the krell?


Looking SS enhanced sounstage,bass slam plus the warmth of tubes.
iggy7
I have a Cary SLP-05. I've used it with over 20 different amps. Never an issue. Worked great with them all. Sounds absolutely DEVASTATING. I've heard many of the big tickets preamps. It's as good as any, and in some ways better. It is an total steal, and competes, or sometimes beats 20-30k preamps.

Agreed-
I have never read a bad review of the Cary SLP-05.  It is liked by many, many Audiophiles.
Well I disagree with a prior comment concerning ' avoiding the Krell Phantom as being overpriced'. My personal experience is that it's a phenomenal pre with build quality and cosmetics commensurate with its price in this crazy audio world. Most of the high end gear appears to be overpriced to me..Obviously you would have to buy it used as now discontinued. There's one listed on AGON for 10k. I bought mine on the advice of a head Agostino guy(prior Krell Sr mgt) saying the two box Phanthom was something very special. I'm using mine with a Momentum stereo amp to great effect. One caveat. I'm assuming the criticism from the prior post was about the two box Phantom. Just my biased opinion of course. 

FWIW, I used a Krell FPB 200c with an SLP 05 with no problems at all. I did not have the capacitor jumpers on the amp side for use with a tube preamp engaged at all.

It worked fine and sonically added some midrange fullness and body.

I think you should be fine using the SLP 05 with the 302e

@4425 - well, I probably should have been more concise.  When I say "Krell Phantom", most of the time I am seeing Krell Phantom III preamps.  This particular model may sound good, but I think it's somewhat trim on the internals:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2MFgxNjAw/z/~v8AAOSw~bFWHBzD/$_1.JPG

I suppose it's not too terribly expensive, but at $3k+, I might think it's worth it to bite the bullet for a 222.  The Krell Phantom (with separate power supply) and Phantom II preamps look really good, but they are also expensive (akin to the 222/202 models).

If your looking for bass slam, make sure you get a really beefy power supply.  It's been my experience that the Krells with smaller power supplies can be somewhat light on bass (and more forward in the mids/highs).