Recommendations for a tubed preamp

If it matters, I also have one of Aric's Special EL34 Push -Pull Amps that I pair with some high efficiency speakers and it too is spectacular!

I am in the U.S. but have owned a couple of preamps from Europe. 

I had the Qualiton APR204 Preamp shortly after it came to market. I felt it was very well made & I personally upgraded the output caps to Jupiter copper foils. I thought it was a nice sounding preamp but their more current units are supposed to be on another level from what I was told. The APR204 was basically a $2k preamp & That's what it sounded like. I wasn't wowed out of my seat by it but wasn't disappointed. Dynamic swings in volume could be startling at times..& that was super enjoyable to me. I love when a quick smack of a drum can make me flinch. This was one of if not their 1st preamp offering. The owner was nice & responsive & I wouldn't hesitate to try one of their newer models based on my 1st experience...if I could currently afford it. 

I've also owned the Icon Audio LA4 MKiii. I upgraded all the caps in this unit. Not as dynamic as the Qualiton but the Icon was better at 3 dimension, putting sounds out into space. Nice soundstage..& very perceivable dark background. I really enjoyed it. When I paired my Pontus 15th to it (single ended only though) the soundstage was a real treat. The LA5 TX is supposed to be a clear step up..using transformer output. I'd love to get my hands on one. I'd go for the 5 if anyone was interested. Communication with Icon designer David Shaw was pleasant & extensive. Nice guy. Very low noise preamps with their Double Choke power supply. Double PI I think is how they refer to it. 

I still own a Schitt Freya that was mentioned in this thread & while it's a versatile nice preamp it is no match in sound quality & stage perceptions as they other 2 I mentioned. 

I'm also located in Europe, in Barcelona, ​​and I have a ZOTL LTA Micro that I brought from the US, already set up for 220V. Contact me if you're interested.

mcclinnguy and gabriel123

My Aric Audio Motherlode XL is paired with a CODA S5.5 (if buying used, make sure has current style transistors.....Doug Dale can confirm for you, mid 2024?), and I have tried it with all of the preamps I listed..... it's an utterly brilliant amp, paired with a brilliant preamp.

 

 

gabriel123

The interior of the Aric Audio components (all of his products look similar), is that way because it is "point to point wired" without the use of circuit boards.

By the way, the Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp, and Supratek look very similar....and is common among specialty manufacturers. I actually like that, as it is much easier to repair, and the builder has control over the wiring used in the project.....no printed circuit boards.