Has anyone listened to a TAD-150 preamp?

[Dirk Diggler]

There is an awesome deal on Audiogon. I have a friend who purchased a TAD-150 signature for under $800 and is very happy. The unit is a very nice looking piece as well.

Anyone have any experience with Tube Audio Design or any of Paul's products?

Thanks-Dirk

[jbsl]

I bought my Cayin TA 30 from him and have been very happy with it. I thought about trying the TAD 150 but it is about $200 more than I could spend so I bought the Merlin instead.

I noticed he has the TAD 60 stereo 60 watt tube amp now which replaces the Cayin TA 30 so I am curious about it but tube amps will have to wait till next year after I pay bills.

Xman

[richieb]

Yes, had the 150 used with Pauls Cayin TA-30. Pauls a great guy with

very good service and of course, very high on his products. The 150 was

to bring out the very best of the Cayin, which in itself was supposed

to be very good, and for the money it is. It did improve the Cayin but

I couldn't get past this concept; in my mind then the Cayin was not so

good. Long story short, a head to head with a Redgum RGi60 MOSFET

integrated sealed the Cayin/150 fate. The Redgum now supplies power to

my Belles. As for looks, that was the first thing that turned me off.

For a pre-amp it is big and heavy and I think, odd looking. It is large

enough that the 45lb. Cayin sits on top of it, not the other way

around.

Rich

[NOSValves]

Paul is a great guy and one heck of a kick to chat with. I've never heard the preamp but did get a Cayin TA30 from him that I played with a bit. These products are not really his though they come in on a slow boat from China.

Craig

[jbsl]

Paul has a new tube 60 watt stereo amp called the TAD 60 that I believe he designed and has built to a certain point in China and he finishes the amp himself. I am tempted to try it but once bills are payed off I'm saving up for VRDs. May not be able to get them till Summer or Fall of next year but that is okay.

I just got my Merlin tube preamp and tried it with the Cayin TA 30 and it was not a very good match, IMHO. But when I use the TA 30 with my Luxman int amp the combo sounds very good. Then tried the Merlin with the Luxman int amp with very good results. Next I'm going to try the Merlin with 2 Monarchy Audio SM 70 pros 80 watts monoblocks which worked very, very good with my Ground Grid tube preamp. Talk to Paul about his return policy.

Xman