2. amps-preamps
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3 great tube preamps. Which would you purchase?

Hello,

I’m currently looking at a used VTL TL-5.5 Series II Stereo Tube Preamplifier
Don Sachs 65N7 Preamp (new), and last but not least LTA Microzotl Preamp - new. 

I like Ike the fact that the VTL has balanced outputs. Which the 65N7 and LTA Microzotl lack. 

My current amp - Bel Canto Ref500s. Has the option of XLR or RCA for input. I like the idea of going all balanced with my set up. 

Its not mandatory to have an all balanced system if one preamp lacks xlr outputs. It’s more of what will work best.  It’s a heavy investment for me. Regardless of which one I will purchase. I like to set it and forget it. Upgrading every couple of years is despised as much as clothing shopping. 

Price is not always indicative of quality. All three mentioned are great contenders imo. All fluctuate a bit in pricing. If anyone could chime in, stating which preamp they might prefer would be greatly appreciated. 

It’s a safe assumption all have their own sound signature. I’m looking to round off the class d sound a bit. It’s not overtly bright. Though I’ve heard the tube sound. I know it will be a game changer in conjunction with my current equipment.  Very curious to know what the communities take would be on this post. 

I have a very basic set up.  
MacBook Pro 
Dynaudio Special 40’s
Bel Canto Ref Link
Bel Canto 3.7 Dac
Bel Canto Ref500s / most recent build. 
interconnects, speaker cable, and power cords are holding up well. 

Turntable preamp to be determined in the future. 


My kind regards,

Jay. 


jred
a_shah's avatar
a_shah
53 posts
 
I just sent back my Don Sachs DS-2 for upgrades ! I do use a PS audio Directstream DAC and Lou Hinkeley Daedalus Speakers - No question in my mind DS-2 is a Big Bang for the Buck very sweet sonically beats anything I have heard at this price point !
bluorion
433 posts
 
Hi Jay---we have similar systems. I've been updating mine over the past 6 months after many years of having the same audio equipment. I have a Marantz ND8006 integrated amp (using as a preamp for a Bel Canto REF500S amp---which sounds really good.) I also have a pair of Dynaudio Special 40s!  I'm thinking of adding a 'proper' preamp next year so I can have the Bel Canto balanced. I've never had separates up until now. This is what I've looked at so far:
-LTA MicroZotl-->when paired with the Bel Canto, it sounds really nice (friend of mine has this)
-PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC as a preamp
-Rogue Audio RP5 (but not balanced)
-Modwright LS100 but I've heard that's being discontinued
-Hegel P20 preamp

BTW, the LTA does make a clicking noise when you adjust the volume---has to do with a relay. I noticed it as soon as my friend adjusted the volume---but he doesn't seem to care.

Good luck on your journey---let us know what you end up getting.
~DR
wig's avatar
wig
1,202 posts
 
jred,

Lots of very good Pre-Amp mentioned! I have owned many and there is something special about the 6SN7 variant tube and Don Sach's Pre, it's what I own and I have heard nothing that's so musical and draws you into the music...

I'm a Sach's fan and own both of his creations and love them :)

Wig
Post removed 
whitestix
684 posts
 
I will chime in with the other devotees for Don Sachs' preamp.  I got the third or forth one he built which was recently sent back to him for the latest, and likely final, upgrades.  It is beyond question the finest preamp I have ever had in my system and that included oodles of SS and tube preamps. It is simply the most revealing and luminous preamp I have ever had.  In terms of performance vs. cost, Don's preamp is fantastic.  

Forget about balanced outputs.  If they were meaningful, Don would design his preamp for them, but he feels RCA outputs are perfectly fine.  By the way, I bought his KT88-based amp a few months ago and it is absolutely breathtaking in its ability to present a holographic soundstage, yet with excellent extension in both the LF and HF... the mid-range of course is also wonderful. I bet Don against it when I contemplated the purchase of it, arguing the my Platinum-upgraded McCormack DNA .05 SS amp would have much more LF control, but when I had a chance to audition Don's amp to the McCormack amp, it took all of 30 seconds to realize the excellence of the Don's amp in comparison.  Tonally, both are excellent, but Don's amp presents the 3-D soundstage whereas the McCormack sounds decided 2-D.  Their is magic in tube and the place to start with with the preamp! 

I have known Don for nearly 12 years.  He upgraded my HK C-1, C-2 and C-V, but decided he would significantly improve upon their performance.  He has clearly succeed.  Yes, he could have used the TOTL Dueland caps in his preamp and added $1000 to cost of the preamp, but he tirelessly researched the market and discovered, to his ears, even better Polish caps for a 1/5th the price.  

Don truly hit the mark in terms of price vs performance and you would be well advised to acquire one of this preamps.  I am pretty sure that you could spend 3-4X times the price of his preamp and not be more satisfied with the sound.  Cheers, Whitestix
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