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Looking for Tube Pre Amp Advice

Without getting too deep into every bit of my equipment I’ll ask for thoughts and advice regarding tube pre-amps

I currently have Parasound Halo A51 Amp. I’m using 4 channels(bi-wired) to power my PBN M1!5 speakers. I currently have a Parasound JC2 BP pre amp. 
Denafrips Terminator DAC>Sonore Signature Rendue-SE>Morrow Series 6 cables (XLRs and speakers)

Id like to try a tube preamp and keep my current amp. I’m looking for a little more holographic sound stage. Everything currently sounds great just would like alittle more depth. 
was looking at a PrimaLuna EVO 400 (dedicated pre version). It has a theater bi-pass

Im aware this is a tough question and matching solid state to tubes makes it even more complex… I did see great reviews on the Prima Luna and that’s about my price point for this 

bobbyloans
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,604 posts
 

The preamp is the heart of your system.   Buy the best one you can,  lots of otherwise decent systems out there that aren't delivering their full potential by using a mediocre preamp. 

Most important component in the chain in my experience.   I've always stretched my budget on preamps in my 45 years in this hobby and it always paid off.  

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,514 posts
 

@oddiofyl 

 

+1

vthokie83
1,230 posts
 

++1 oddiofyl

Spend to buy the best preamp you can afford, a preamp can make or break a system. As others have mentioned, it is the single most important component in my system. Tube preamps work really well with either tube or solid state amplifiers.

I personally would recommend a 6SN7 based preamp. I have tested 12 or 13 tube preamps, and 5 or 6 solid state. Here would be my recommendations at several price points (based on my experience, best options first:

(1) Aric Audio Motherlode XL - Best preamp I've ever heard, impeccably well built using only ultra premium components $6,875. For disclosure, I own this preamp.

(2) Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp (sold by Spatial Audio) - Neck and neck with the Motherlode XL, but in my mind comes in second place. Here too, the design and components are top notch. Others would rate the Raven above the Motherlode XL. For disclosure, this will be the preamp in a second system I'll put together next year.

(3) Aric Audio Motherlode II - Similar to Motherlode XL, but without XLR connections and without some component upgrades $5,750

(4) Aric Audio Super 6SN7 Linestage $4,625 - Brilliant preamp for the money, still using high end components

(5) Supratek Cabernet DHT $4,500 (In stunning chrome finish) - Like the Aric Audio Super 6SN7 above, a brilliant preamp for the money

(6) Supratek Cabernet 6SN7 $4,000 (In chrome finish) - Budget king for a great preamp

gryphongryph
406 posts
 

The Supratek Cabernet DHT is truly a wonderful pre amp, have been using it now for some years and hope for it to be my end game pre.

For sure there are a lot of happy Supratek owners in the world and I believe it once was one of the biggest threads on this forum

Unfortunately Michael Maloney has some health issues and I am not sure if he has any pre amps left for sale.

bobbyloans OP
101 posts
 

Wow gentlemen's, you have all given me a lot to sift through. All wonderful advice and I will start my research looking to see what options you’ve all suggested pairs the best with my Parasound SS Amp. 
I think I’ve come to realize that this pre amp selection is an important one to say the least.  I will report back once I’ve made a choice, purchase, and opportunity to give proper feedback!!

Bobby 

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