Bobby: I have the PrimaLuna Evo 400, I wanted it for the balanced connections option. I’ve used it with a few different amps, but currently use it with an Aesthetix Atlas hybrid amp. In a word….BLISS! You can pick these up on the used market for roughly $4k, it’s a beautiful unit, incredibly well built, very heavy and well deserving of the accolades in my opinion. Don’t let folks dissuade you that it’s Chinese, only the labor to assemble is Chinese as all the parts are first rate materials and the lower cost labor keeps the price down. My speakers are the Vandersteens Treo CT’s and I’ve had numerous folks from our audiophile club by and rave that it’s one of the best they’ve heard. Give that PL Evo 400 a shot, I think you’ll love it!
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
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my 2 cents 6sn7/6sl7 based units can sound very nice but they can also be highly problematic with respect to microphony... my don sachs pre was sold off due to this issue, as nice as it sounded on its good days there are many lovely tube line stages out there, with respect to sonic beauty and holography i can personally recommend the upper model c-j’s and audio research ones - my suggestion is to buy the best one(s) you can afford you won't be sorry |
@bobbyloans I have had a couple of BAT preamplifiers and currently own a BAT VK-90 preamplifier. They offer all the design features you are looking for; fully balanced from input through to the outputs and also a theater bypass function. The attached link will take you to a listing for a BAT VK-51SE, which is a predecessor generation to the model I currently own. BAT preamplifiers are outstanding in every way sonically and with an exceptional build quality. This is well within your budget, too. Do some research on BAT preamps, of course. Best to you. Balanced Audio Technology Tube Preamplifier For Sale - US Audio Mart
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@robshaw Regarding the brand of preamp I mentioned, all of the BAT preamps are 18db maximum gain and are not adjustable. They all offer two sets of preamp outputs. Volume control is in .5db steps. It is the very best volume control I have ever owned. It is the very best preamp I have ever owned. |
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