olds1959special Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 (edited) I have no tubes in my system and sometimes when I listen to early (20's) music I crave hearing what a good tube pre-amp can do to warm up the sound. I have considered the Schiit Saga+ since I depend on the remote control but I don't think that's a "real" tube amp. Edited June 11 by olds1959special Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmz Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 (edited) I had really stellar performance from an Audible Illusions tube preamp. Maybe there are used ones on the market? They are inverting, so one needs to go back and swap the red on the speaker cables into the black on the speaker and visa versa. Just like in the photo. Edited June 11 by Holmz 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 I am a big Atmasphere believer. Ralph makes some great products. His little UV-1 is quite nice. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Look to Vandy dealers for help… for example Quicksilver which make a very nice remote equipped line stage, other dealers carry Rogue, VTL,all the way up to ARC…. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Used ARC 17 and above feature an excellent remote and fantastic sonics…. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsal Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 I love my Backert Labs Rhumba tube pre amp and it's reasonably priced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 I’ve owned and loved Quicksilver, CJ, ARC, Counterpoint and a Jadis. Many strong options. Not all tubes warm the sound. Some are just neutral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicForDave Posted June 17 Share Posted June 17 I think I saw that Rutan has 1 or 2 used Audible Illusion preamps on his website. I use an ARC Ref5 on my setup. It adds depth and sparkle to the sound, giving up only a hair of detail and dynamics, compared to running direct from my Ayre QX-5 to the amp. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olds1959special Posted June 17 Author Share Posted June 17 (edited) For now I'm enjoying the Hagerman Baritone Tube Buffer before my solid state pre-amp as an alternative to a tube pre. It uses a single 12AU7. It seems to take the edge off and add some dimensionality to sound. There is a slight loss of fidelity but overall it's worth it. Right now I'm liking a Tung Sol reissue 12AU7W, but I ordered an RCA clear top 12AU7 (grey plates) to try as well. Edited June 17 by olds1959special Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olds1959special Posted June 19 Author Share Posted June 19 (edited) The Tung Sol 12AU7W is definitely the best! Edited June 19 by olds1959special Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmz Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 On 6/18/2024 at 3:26 AM, olds1959special said: For now I'm enjoying the Hagerman Baritone Tube Buffer before my solid state pre-amp as an alternative to a tube pre. It uses a single 12AU7. It seems to take the edge off and add some dimensionality to sound. There is a slight loss of fidelity but overall it's worth it. Right now I'm liking a Tung Sol reissue 12AU7W, but I ordered an RCA clear top 12AU7 (grey plates) to try as well. Why not run it behind the pre-amp? (I have no reasoning to suggest it one way or the other.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olds1959special Posted June 19 Author Share Posted June 19 6 hours ago, Holmz said: Why not run it behind the pre-amp? (I have no reasoning to suggest it one way or the other.) That's what I'm doing, running it before the pre-amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Edwards Posted July 9 Share Posted July 9 On 6/11/2024 at 10:00 PM, TomicTime said: Used ARC 17 and above feature an excellent remote and fantastic sonics…. I'll vouch for that! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 I nearly purchased a used AR preamp this week while visiting JS Audio in Bethesda. I was flown down to NIH for my twice a year lumbar puncture, MRI and two days of TESTING (yes, I meant to scream that). Great guys, even though it's all Wilson (or Dynaudio). I'll post more in a new thread even though it's not Vandersteen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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