Home » Audio » Thermionic Emissions » tube preamp recommendations
tube preamp recommendations [message #8155] Sat, 24 April 2004 13:29 Go to next message
IAIN is currently offline  IAIN
Messages: 4
Registered: May 2009
Esquire
I am putting together my first hifi system. I started out with a budget but that got blown to hell quickly. I am stuck on trying to find a preamp diy or otherwise that is quality without breaking the bank $1000 or under. I wish I could listen to several before I purchase one but alas there are no audio stores around here that have tube preamps I could demo.

I have the following components so far....
CanaryAudio CA-300 8wpc Monoblocks http://www.canaryaudio.com/300.htm
Klipsch Belle's
Custom made isobaric subwoofer disgned by someone who worked for cary which will need a crossover and a ss amp
TMC TMC Speaker cable 
Rotel RCD 1072
Turntable plan on picking up a thorens

What preamp would compliment the components I have so far?
Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks,
IAIN


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Re: tube preamp recommendations [message #8156 is a reply to message #8155] Sat, 24 April 2004 15:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently online  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18792
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
Seems like one of Canary Audio's preamps would be a good match for your system, since you already have a Canary Audio amp. But there are so many good products out there, you really have a lot of options.

I'm using a Bottlehead Foreplay preamp, and it is a pretty good amplifier. It's avaialble inexpensively as a DIY product, so you can build it yourself. They look pretty basic in stock trim, but some folks go all out on having a chassis made that makes their DIY efforts look world class. That's a pretty good way to go.

Re: tube preamp recommendations [message #8157 is a reply to message #8156] Sun, 25 April 2004 13:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
IAIN is currently offline  IAIN
Messages: 4
Registered: May 2009
Esquire
I thought the same thing about the canary's but the individual I purchased them from had tried two canary pre's and didn't think much of them. Of course what sounds good to one doesn't necessarily sound good to another. I have thought about the bottlehead with the upgrade options especially for the price. I have no electronics background at all and the thought of getting zappped does not appeal to me. Have you tried the phono pre from bottlehead?


Re: tube preamp recommendations [message #8158 is a reply to message #8155] Sun, 25 April 2004 14:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GarMan is currently offline  GarMan
Messages: 960
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (2nd Degree)
Iain,

Check out Hagerman Tech and also its discussion forum at audiocircle. Jim has a very loyal following. You can get a finished Clarinet unit, or the half-kit is at very attractively priced option.

Gar.


Re: tube preamp recommendations [message #8159 is a reply to message #8157] Sun, 25 April 2004 15:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently online  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18792
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
Those Canary preamps sure look nice. I'd like to hear one to find out for myself.

About the Bottlehead gear, I have a brand-new, still-in-the-box Seduction phono stage kit with the C4S constant current source. I probably won't have time to assemble it until the end of the summer though. Too many other things on my plate right now.

Re: tube preamp recommendations [message #8161 is a reply to message #8157] Tue, 27 April 2004 16:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
elektratig is currently offline  elektratig
Messages: 348
Registered: May 2009
Grand Master
IAIN,

If you don't feel comfortable with DIY you should of course consider other alternatives, but if you do feel comfortable I second the Foreplay recommendation. I have two, with various upgrades, one from the kit, the second I did myself.


Re: tube preamp recommendations [message #8162 is a reply to message #8161] Wed, 28 April 2004 07:51 Go to previous message
IAIN is currently offline  IAIN
Messages: 4
Registered: May 2009
Esquire
From what I've read the bottlehead is easy to assemble but I would just have to do research before I dove into it to keep myself from getting zapped. The bottlehead is so affordable I could get one of those to start with and then try other preamps later. I have also been looking at the Zen ZSLA-1 http://www.decware.com/linestage/zp1.htm which seems to be a very simple design and also affordable.

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