dkalsi Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I just received an e-mail for Will Vincent that my Baldwin tube amp is ready. Now, I just need a pre-tube-amp. I was hoping you guys could give me some good recommendations. Since this is my first true venture into tubes - I am not looking to spend too much. Probaby around 350-550 is my range (the lower the better). Please let me know what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Congrats on getting the Baldwin. Will packs those things so well it is a challenge to get them unpacked. One tube pre that comes to mind is one of the Dynaco PAS preamps. Mostly what I hear about them is that they are unremarkable. You might run across one that has been refurbed nicely. I think that a tube pre with phono would mean a vintage piece of some sort. The top end of your range is close to the price of a used Juicy Music Merlin. If you could snag one of these, they are fabulous sounding. Line stage only, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/965487.aspx sweet Merlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkalsi Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share Posted September 19, 2007 Sent the guy a PM and left contact info. Hopefully he will get back to me. Thanks for your advice Daddy Dee - much apprecaited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk49 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I second daddy dee on the Merlin. I've have one running with a SS HK Ciitation 12 and Forte's, for the $'s you can't beat it. Mark's equipment matchs well with the Heritage series. You will be hard pressed to find a phono and line stage that will match the Merlin sound at that price, strictly my personal choice. I run my lascala's with the Blueberry Extreme, which has the phono stage and love the sound. Bottom line is it's your money and ears, so enjoy the search. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk49 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 "Sent the guy a PM and left contact info. Hopefully he will get back to me. Thanks for your advice Daddy Dee - much apprecaited." You won't regret it. Daddy dee, you are the one that convinced me to try the Merlin a year or so ago. Great advice. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkalsi Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share Posted September 19, 2007 Thanks for the recommendations guys. Although it was pushing my budget - it guess its well worth the price. Further, after noticing that Daddy Dee has 10,000+ posts - I thought maybe he know something about pre-amp and klipsch speakers. Thanks Daddy Dee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthfreek Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Am I missing something here? The Merlin doesn't have phono capabilities does it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkalsi Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share Posted September 19, 2007 synth, The Merlin does not have the phono input - however, I decided to forego that for now in efforts of obtaining a pre-tube that is well regarded none the less. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 In the very old days tube pre amps were part of a console quite often. And cartridge technology of the early 60s was pretty basic. My opinion after using Dynaco, Ampex and Eico premaps were they were voiced in the phono section to adress console speakers or some other issue. After allot of NOS Valves work on the AMPEX it was still not as neutral as a Scott LC 21 or 130 preamps; AMPEX was not well defined in the bass, but shined elsewhere. Dynaco had the most lifeless phono section. I am an unaplogetic Scott enthusiast. Darn hard to find a tube pre with phono stage on a budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 This one's worth checking out http://cgi.ebay.com/conrad-johnson-CJ-PV-6-Preamp-with-phono_W0QQitemZ290162371332QQihZ019QQcategoryZ12050QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem . No affiliation with the seller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Also this one: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1193174934 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 and this one too http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1195186523 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 last one: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1193526888 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paully Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Bottlehead Foreplay III and a Seduction might work. They are seperates but about as good as it gets for the money IMO and close to your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I would still go with a Merlin... an exceptional pre for the money. You can add a phone separate later, and knock the socks off of other units. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Surprised the CJ preamps are a decent price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkalsi Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share Posted September 19, 2007 I might give other units a chance in the near future - especially the Bottlehead Foreplay III - which has stellar reviews. For now, I purchased the Juicy Merlin from a fellow forum member - hopefully that should work out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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