joessportster Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 anyone on here have any first hand knowledge with this pre-amp, i just scored one on ebay and was wondering if anyone has any opinions as to its sound, audio review gives it a decent review but another opinion cant hurt Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I don't have any first hand knowledge but for $200 you surely couldn't go wrong for a full function tube preamp with phono section. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 What about a Mapletree Ultra 4A SE with PS1t for $550? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 Joe, Sound Valves made some great stuff for the money. They went out of business a few years ago. They were selling parts for Dynacos, and even had their own 35 wpc EL34 amp. American made if it means anything to you. Solid gear. Marvel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I have a sound valves FET ss preamp...well built but I swapped it for my Marantz 7T, which sounded airier, fuller and more transparent...I would love to hear form you how the tube version sounds. regards, tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-MAN Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 I've got their M-60 monoblock power amps. Nice, well made and clean sounding. I believe that the pre-amp went for about $1000. Should be nice, it got good reviews. DM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 The control center for my modest home movie and music reproduction system is a vintage Dynaco PAS 3, series II, tube pre-amplifier by Panor Corp. At one point Sound Valves was selling a vintage Dynaco PAS 3, series II, tube pre-amplifier by Panor Corp. pre-amplifier model, then they offered their one, which was supposed to be an upgraded version of the original. Supposedly a hell of a tube amplifier for the money. You might consider having somebody like Craig at NOSvalaves.com (a frequent Klipsch poster) doing a refurbish job and an upgrade somewhere down the road. Old tube equipment wears out slowly, so the quality degrades without warning or notice, whereas solid-state simply quits. I think the PAS 3 is a sweet little and versatile amplifier, with most sensitive loudspeakers I seriously auditioned, in my own home, with the same music and equipment, for EnjoyTheMusic.com, as well as big ole horns, but especially classic Klipsch corner Khorns. I have to say I certainly prefer the vintage PAS 3 over a simple attenuator, a NAD 1020, or most other solid-state receivers. The exception are the Pass X250 super-amplifier and my free 70s vintage harmon/kardon solid-state single-transformer 330B (or its twin-transformer versions, the 430, etc.) receiver. I am playing with a Behringer UltraCurve pro EQ, and when I get it set-up, I may send mine away for upgrading. I certainly think a refurbished PAS 3 is a remarkable tube pre-amplifier, especially for the $150 to $300 pittance they sell for recently on eBay. PS and there is this review, though Sound Valves is no more: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_3_3/v3n3m.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted January 19, 2005 Author Share Posted January 19, 2005 sounds like i scored a good deal, i will up date you when i get the thing and i hope it does all i have heard it will, i did read a couple reviews that said changeing the tubes for better ones would give better sound how would a person go about finding the right tubes and buying them(first piece of tube gear i have ever bought thanks for all the info Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted February 1, 2005 Author Share Posted February 1, 2005 well she finally arrived yesterday and aftera marathon session i can say it beats my phase linear 2000 pretty handily, volume is infinately louder, sound is much clearer, i have heard that tubes sound muddy? not so with this pre-amp, listened to some elo, joe walsh the confessor, even some mike auldridge dobro on lp, and some queen and clapton unplugged on the cd, everything was much clearer and the volume on the cds is unbeleiveable cant take the knob past the 7 oclock posistion, for albums the volume can go around the 9 oclock and be at a decent level, i have to admit i didnt find the sound any more mellow as is always touted with tubes, just cleaner and LOUDER all in all i would say this is a great little pre for the money and if your on a budget like me (check to check) you wont be dissapointed Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts