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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
mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
978 posts
 

@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.    

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,514 posts
 

Great. Good luck. Look forward to hearing what you choose. Make sure you look carefully at Audio Research preamps.

steverrino's avatar
steverrino
23 posts
 

I’m also considering a tube pre.  I think one of the advantages of the Backert preamps, is when it’s HT By-Pass - the tubes are off. I don’t want to use up tube life when I’m watching a show on TV. I think Cary has this feature on their Preamps as well.   As far as the best sounding tube pre, I have little personal experience with any - which is why I still in the considering stage.

tubes4good
63 posts
 

Sorry to hear about Mick, great guy. I have a Supratek DHT / 6SN7. It's basically two two preamps in one. Mick says, listen to the DHT section and the 6SN7 section and you decide which you like best. It has two XLR inputs, 2 RCA inputs, an XLR output, and an two RCA outputs. It has adjustable gain. I have 45 tubes in the DHT section feeding my open baffles and the 6SN7's feeding my subs. I haven't had many high end preamps, so can't give any comparisons. Truly great sounding. 

vthokie83
1,230 posts
 

robshaw,

All Aric Audio preamps that are currently made, do have adjustable gain.

The Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp does not have adjustable gain, if I remember correctly.....I haven't had it in my system for about 9 months or so

All of the higher end Supratek preamps that I have had in my system (both Cabernets and the Grange) have had adjustable gain.

I hope that helps

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