NAT Magnetostat vs. ALLNIC L5000

[redeagle381]

I need advice, I'm looking for a good Tube Preamplifier for my Tsakiridis Appolon Ultima with KT170 tubes. I have the ALLNIC L5000 and NAT Magnetostat (version without SE) in my shortlist. Which of these two would you recommend? I use a JBL K2 S5500 As loudspeakers.

 

[ketcham]

While am not able to attest to the NAT, I am very familiar with the L-5000 DHT. This model is not without its challenges. Microphonics. L-8000 DHT redesign is more plug n play. I owned the L-5000 DHT long ago when my kids were young and it used NOS 3A tubes. They loved talking to the tubes and hearing their voices amplified into the speakers. There are ways to mitigate the microphonics - especially Stradi 3A/109e tube from Korea. The circuit is sensitive to vibration - so isolation is necessary. Also sensitive to AC/EM/RF pollution. While L-5000/L-8000 remains my personal favorite of all time the L-5000 DHT was on of my most challenging over the years. It will however tease out nuances, detail and emotion in familiar recordings that is for me forever engaging. Direct Heated Triodes can be challenging and not often seen in a preamplifier.

“Allnic is for the serious connoisseur only. We believe and strongly recommend that every Allnic owner acquire a small collection of tubes though the various tube dealer networks to service your unit and prevent downtime. If the occasional tube failure, to be expected with all tube gear, is stressful for you or determining which tube failed by using the detailed instructions in the product manual an unacceptable inconvenience, then Allnic, and likely most other vacuum tube equipment is not your best solution.“

An informed decision is important. L-8000 DHT would be easier to implement by a wide margin.

If the NAT is easy to implement and performs, this may be the preferred direction. Hopefully someone can chime in.