@mm1tt77 I do agree it is a good thing to get that level of customization from any manufacturer. Impedance and gain match between preamp and power amp is very important.
Suggestions for a tube pre and power amp
Dear Audio Friends,
I am writing to seek your experienced suggestions regarding an upgrade to my current stereo setup. My current system consists of Revel F328Be speakers powered by a Luxman 590Mk2 Class A integrated amp. My frontend includes a Sonic Transporter (Roon core) powered by a Farad LPS, a Holo Red streamer, and a Holo May KTE DAC.
I am considering transitioning to a tube preamplifier and a solid-state power amplifier combination. While my speakers have a 91dB sensitivity, the impedance dips to 3 ohms between 100Hz and 200Hz.
My current shortlists are as follows:
- Power Amps: Coda S5.5 Class A or Coda No. 8 V1.
- Tube Preamps: Backert Labs Rhumba, Spatial Audio Raven, or Motherlode XL.
I am looking for a 3D holographic, warm sound with a high level of clarity and detail. While I am aware of the general rules regarding impedance matching, I would value your insights on how these specific components might pair together. I am also very open to any other combinations you might recommend.
Thank you for your help.
Rlal
@mm1tt77 I do agree it is a good thing to get that level of customization from any manufacturer. Impedance and gain match between preamp and power amp is very important. |
If you're okay with used, I second the vote for ARC Ref Series or some of it's main competitors (it's what I'd own if I didn't like BAT so much): BAT VK-52SE $3,000–$5,000 - Can be be upgraded to the Rex series (and there's a BAT Rex Preamp on USAM for $7,000) BAT VK-53SE $6,500–$9,000 VTL TL-7.5 Series II $8,000–$11,000 VAC Renaissance Mk V $7,000–$9,000 You can't go wrong with any of these. Sweet spot in terms of pricing is the VK-52SE. |
I think the Class A Luxman amps under report the power specs. The CODA 5.5 is not that powerful especially with speakers dropping below 4 Ohms. For example, I tried Schiit Aegir v1 amps in mono form. This gave me 80 watts in Class A and my tiny Magnepan Mini speakers sounded like crap. Not enough power for these slightly hard to drive speakers. The Aegir is a good amp on my headphones and if I were to get a CODA 5.5, I was looking to use it on headphones. I was speaking with Doug Dale of CODA 2 days ago. He has my CODA #11, and he is going to update that amp to new or better shape. I had messed up my system (fuses) by trying my SS imersiv D-1 preamp/DAC with varying combinations. He told me in our talk that the biggest issue he sees is having tube preamps hooked up to his CODA amps. He said some of these boutique tube preamps are not the most stable. |
@yyzsantabarbara I traded my old Continuum amp to Doug instead of repairing it. He offered to re-cap it at a reasonable price, but I wanted to upgrade and I don’t have a good spot for a second system. It was Coda’s entry level amp about 30 years ago. Kinda wish I’d kept it, but it would be sitting in a box. My LTA MicroZOTL 2 preamp has been solid with my Coda No 8. I like it a lot better than the conrad-johnson preamps that it replaced. |
@sls883 A friend of mine has the LTA DAC and loves it. He heard the top end Allnic DAC in his $200k+ system and wanted to put a tube DAC into his system. I have not heard it yet, but he said the LTA was almost as good as the Allnic but cheaper. I have a 30-year-old CODA #11 and the new CODA #16. The #11 is a bit warmer sounding and still thunderous like the #16. My other audio friend and I both think the #11 sounds a bit better (synergy) on the Yamaha NS5000 with my ultra revealing imersiv D-1 DAC. I am going to regret it, but I am selling my #16 to by a second DAC that I need, the Meitner MA3i. I am now going to use a low-cost Class D amp in my low-cost office system instead of the much better #16. |