JRS94 Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 I have '79 Khorns with original woofers, Crites Type A crossover, AG 55G and CT 120's. A 2006 Solid State Legacy Powerbloc 600 amp. I am looking to buy a tube preamp. Considerring; Audio by Van Alstine T10 SLR or FET Valve CFR, or, Vincent Audio SA-T7. Both Companies look like great gear, and are fairly close in price. Anyone have experience with either or a recommendation? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 Curious... what have you been using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRS94 Posted February 19, 2019 Author Share Posted February 19, 2019 53 minutes ago, Schu said: Curious... what have you been using? Luxman TP 114 from the early 90's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 What is the reason for choosing a tube pre over a solid state? If you are looking for a warm tube sound, you may not get it with just a tube pre driving a ss amp.I have both tube pre and amp on one system, and ss pre and tube amp on another. Not hearing a lot of difference between the pre's, but I do hear a bigger difference between a tube amp and a ss amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRS94 Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 2 hours ago, kevinmi said: What is the reason for choosing a tube pre over a solid state? If you are looking for a warm tube sound, you may not get it with just a tube pre driving a ss amp.I have both tube pre and amp on one system, and ss pre and tube amp on another. Not hearing a lot of difference between the pre's, but I do hear a bigger difference between a tube amp and a ss amp. Just starting to get back into 2 channel after years away, I need a preamp so I am starting with a tube set, if I'm not happy with the sound from the tube pre and the SS amp I will update the amp too. One thing at a time. Simple as that. i'm leaning toward the Vincent SA T-7. Next step will be to restore/replace the old Dual Turntable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 There's just so many choices... hard to say what will work for you or what you cost to pain threshold is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 1 minute ago, JRS94 said: Just starting to get back into 2 channel after years away, I need a preamp so I am starting with a tube set, if I'm not happy with the sound from the tube pre and the SS amp I will update the amp too. One thing at a time. Simple as that. i'm leaning toward the Vincent SA T-7. Next step will be to restore/replace the old Dual Turntable. In my journey down the tube road, I had several different tube preamps. What I ran across was that some cheaper units I had experienced a bit of hum.Also watch out for "hybrid" preamps that are nothing but solid state preamps with a tube buffer added. If you are going to spin vinyl, I'd look into a unit with a tubed phono section. I really enjoy mine Good luck on your journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRS94 Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 Thanks, its been fun so far. The cost to pain threshold mentioned above reminds me of the drag car days, always something faster. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1290 Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I'm running a PrimaLuna integrated from upscale audio.com into my LS. They also have pres and amps. Dead silent and a great sound. PrimaLuna fb group also if you want to nose. Hope you find what you're looking for. ALWAYS something faster! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 Before you decide on a company to buy from, I suggest you listen to different tubes to determine which type you like the sound of. Then look for a pre-amp that uses that type tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artto Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 The best "sounding" preamp I ever heard with Khorns was an Audio Research SP6. I sold that and bought an Audio Research SP6A. Mistake. I had that upgraded to a SP6B (still a mistake) which I still have and use for phono only. To this day I wish I had the ARC SP back. Definitely not "accurate", but boy could it make the Khorns "sing" (with Luxman MB3045 (still have those too) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubeHiFiNut Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Quicksilver Line Stage Preamp and Quicksilver Phono Stage (if you do vinyl). Or find a used Quicksilver Full Function Preamp. Other used preamps to consider: Audio Research SP3A-1, SP6B. CJ PV12, PV5. Audible Illusions M3D. Any of these will sound wonderful when matched to a compatible amp on your Klipsch speakers. Just my opinion. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Spend the extra bucks and get a Mcintosh C22 III (newest version). Easily the finest preamp I've ever owned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 On 3/1/2019 at 3:31 PM, artto said: The best "sounding" preamp I ever heard with Khorns was an Audio Research SP6. I sold that and bought an Audio Research SP6A. Mistake. I had that upgraded to a SP6B (still a mistake) which I still have and use for phono only. To this day I wish I had the ARC SP back. Definitely not "accurate", but boy could it make the Khorns "sing" (with Luxman MB3045 (still have those too) I sold my ARC SP14 last year. It was ok but as a hybrid with a 6DJ8 as I recall it was amazingly quiet but a little cold. Bought a top of the line Furman with the proceeds. Conrad Johnson PV is quiet and just a little warm. Much better soundstage ,attack and decay. I am just a 12AX7 guy. Maybe someday I find a HH Scott preamp for s reasonable price. Recent prices are a bit over the top. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted March 3, 2019 Moderators Share Posted March 3, 2019 One question please.......since the OP is looking to try a tube pre and ss amps...................I know nothing about tubes. A few years ago someone here told me if either the pre or amp would be tubes and the other SS, it was a bigger difference if the pre was tubes. Is this true ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 That's been my experience... if I could only afford one or the other as a tube section, it would be the preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 16 hours ago, dtel said: One question please.......since the OP is looking to try a tube pre and ss amps...................I know nothing about tubes. A few years ago someone here told me if either the pre or amp would be tubes and the other SS, it was a bigger difference if the pre was tubes. Is this true ? For phono stage perhaps. In my limited experience I never met a SS phono stage I was crazy about. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselophile Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Im using a Pass Lab XP15 Phono stage, Doge 8 Clarity Tube Pre, Bel Canto SET 40 845 based Tube power amp with my fairly new Klipschorns (2018 model)- I find the Doge 8 Clarity pretty transparent & dynamic...Doge 8 has been great value for money... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted March 4, 2019 Moderators Share Posted March 4, 2019 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony J Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 I just ordered a tube preamp from Aric~Audio, seems to be alot of great reviews and most of his stuff can be customized. I went with his Unlimited preamp with an upgraded volume pot. It will be feeding a First watt F6 clone to my Forte IIs w Crites. I'll let you know my impressions when it comes, currently using a passive Luminous Audio Axiom II. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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