easyeyes Posted August 16, 2002 Share Posted August 16, 2002 At this moment I'm considering investing $800 - $1,000 into a preamp. Being overseas, it's difficult to look at anything besides solid state over the net; all of this talk about tube preamps for less with better sound has me thinking. Not knowing anything about tubes makes me apprehensive in sinking money into them. As a tube novice, what can I start off with to get my feet wet that sounds good and will not break the bank at the same time? What can I get for $300 or less. At this price I'm quite sure that the unit will not be brand new. I'm using a Denon CD player, a Yamaha MX-800 SS power amp and KLF 30s. I welcome your opinion. Thanks EE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space_cowboy Posted August 16, 2002 Share Posted August 16, 2002 easyeyes, Look at the thread I started some days ago; I asked very near the same question you are. ------------------ Turntable - Pro-Ject 2.0 Phono Preamp - Parasound PPH-100 Receiver - H/K AVR-210 DVD - Sony DVP-S360 TV - RCA 31" Mains - KLF-20 Center - KLF-C7 Surrounds - Optimus Pro LX-10 Sub - Yamaha YST-SW160 Reinforcement - JBL 4638 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chacodude Posted August 18, 2002 Share Posted August 18, 2002 www.bottlehead.com Check out the forum and the gear. Best sounding stuff I have heard against big name commercial gear. Make the world a better sounding place! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weiming Posted August 18, 2002 Share Posted August 18, 2002 One thing good about Bottlehead is the forum which is akin to that of Klipsch where there is a lot of sharing of info, opinions and experiences by numerous gurus and friendly, helpful people from all walks of life. Oh yeah, and the stuff sounds good too ------------------ Solstice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodj101 Posted August 18, 2002 Share Posted August 18, 2002 If you are interested in buying a tube amp, but are over seas, I would recomend either building one and ordering all of the parts except the power transformer and output transformer from where ever, because shipping won't add up to too much (tubes weigh like 2 ounces). The two things that will set you back are the chassis, and transformers, heavey! I have built my own tube amps before, and I'm really satisfied with them. I'm currently working on some mono blocks that will be 100 watts each when they're done. they cost a bout 700 dollars to make each, but the nice thing about tube amps is, you can string multiple speakers of the same terminal where as with a transistor amp, you would burn it out in a flash. So, feel free to contact me via email, this post, or AIM instant messanger. ------------------ -Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyeyes Posted August 20, 2002 Author Share Posted August 20, 2002 Prodj101, Thanks, the bottlehead is a great site, lots of info on how to start. Where can I purchase separate parts and the chasis/transformer being in England? I am not very mechanically inclined, can change a fan belt and basic work on a car but not credentials. How much soldering is involved, I do not have any equipment. What's the total cost of a nice-sounding beginners unit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weiming Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 Since you are in the UK, you might want to check out World Tube Audio Design at: http://www.worldaudiodesign.co.uk/ The benefits of buying a kit is that clear instructions are provided along with everything needed to complete the project. It also more or less guarantees that whatever you build will work and be of some standard ------------------ Solstice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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