2. amps-preamps
  3. 161076-3879

Tube Preamp for SMC Audio power amp. (300B?)

I have been using 2a3 and 300b SET for years. Unfortunately never quite enough power to rock the house so I have been using my 2a3 set as a preamp to a SMC (McCormack) DNA 0.5 (fully upgraded).

The SET has issues as a preamp and so I am looking for a tube preamp (with remote volume) to complement my SMC amp, Ayre DAC, Greenmountain EOS with RAAL Tweeters.

I have loved the sound of my 300b and am wondering  if anyone has experience with the Manley 300b preamp. Might be out of my price range so alternatives would be great.  The added value for me is I have some very nice and expensive Emissions Labs mesh 300b tubes.

Sure the SS guys say there are options that sound like tubes but my experience is there is a 3 dimensional quality to my tube amps that can be somewhat acheived with a tube preamp and Class A SS amp.

I would love to come in under $4000 and generally always buy used stuff.  Must have a remote volume (blasphemy I know), and hopefully a gentle turn on.  SMC recommends leaving the power amp on 24/7.

Thanks in advance for your useful responses.
drewh1
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,596 posts
 
We wrrea manlex dealer for many Years the 300b preamp was an extroordinary preamp ane you reallh had to spend 2 to3 times more money to beat it

It was my favorite preamp sadly we dopredsjednik manley no marketing no shows so we got very lttle consumer demand

Just fired up our demo Last week for a client same panoramic soundstage zonal watmzthwith good detail I will miss this preamp when it is sold  from a business stand point manly labs should market wa y more afressively

Dave and Troy
Audiointellect Nj
Former manley dealers
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,610 posts
 
conrad johnson premer 17ls2, 16ls or et5

audio research reference 2 or 3 (may be a lil above your budget)

more modern VAC if you can find one around 4 grand

don sachs linestage for a bit of a homebrew feel - less $, around 2 grand

a later model cary for a softer sound

own or have owned all the above

another one to consider is a herron, but i haven’t had one

others will recommend manley, quicksilver, rogue - they seems to have good reputations, i have not owned
soix
8,714 posts
 
I’d save some $ and buy a Sachs Custom Linestage. You’ll be thrilled. He offers a 14-day trial period to prove me right. Heh heh. Best of luck in your search.  BTW, I assume you’ve checked the input impedance of your upgraded 0.5?  Some of Steve’s mods result in pretty low numbers. 
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