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Vacuum Tube Preamp for Solid State Power Amp Pairing

I’ve recently discovered the world of vacuum tubes and recently purchased a Willsenton R8 which I’m enjoying very much.

I also have a solid state Chord Electronics SPM 1050mkii power amp (200w into 8ohms) and am now curious what sound I could achieve by the marriage of a tube preamp paired with my beefy solid state power amp.

As I’m a tube newbie I figured it would be sensible to lean on the considerable experience of the Audiogon community and plunder some recommendations.

 I like the look of the PS Audio BHK signature Pre (preowned) but it’s pushing my budget, although if you guys think it’s a winner I can save a few more buttons..! Also I’m aware of the Shiit Freya + which seems well reviewed and appears to be a good value proposition, but apart from these 2, I’m not really sure what else is out there…

So, over to you guys to work your magic, recommendations please!

Budget is circa £2-£3k and MUST have a remote control! :)

terenthia
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
506 posts
 

I have Supratek's Chardonnay. Funny as I told Mick to make the best sounding preamp he could, price no object and he settled on the Chardonnay. Cost $3700, usually $2650 st the time. I know the Cabernet is supposedly better or the Grange but I'm thinking he took me at my word as wanting nothing too euphonic, 

And yes, pretty most all his 6SN7 preamps have gain control

emergingsoul
1,529 posts
 

I was close to getting a VTL pre amplifier but customer service was a huge problem. Not very friendly out there in California who make this.

nymarty
125 posts
 

I have a Supratek Chardonnay with 6SN7 tubes and it has adjustable gain.  It’s a great preamp!  It also has true balanced input and output so I have it paired with Orchard Audio Premium Monoblocks.  Great combo.

zarf's avatar
zarf
108 posts
 

Conrad Johnson 17LS2 has a lovely remote, but perhaps too much gain for certain systems. I'm using it with one of the last solid states CJ made, the MF-2275. The speakers are 85 dB/watt and 4 ohms. 

On the other hand, a Herron 360 plays a wider range of lower volumes than the 17LS2. The Herron remote is far less rewarding than the CJ remote. I enjoy using an actual volume knob now and then. This range of control allows me to drop to low volumes for conversations and entertaining without raised voices. It offers a tiny bit more detail than the 17LS2 with normal listening levels, but not so that I miss that with a rotation of the preamps through the house.

Both of these are near to 3K used.

I'd like to check out a Linear Tube Audio Velo or a Pass HPA as a preamp and headphone amp combo, but the Pass is more like 4k. I'd also like to try a Cary SLP-98.

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