Tube preamp suggestions under $11K, new/used

[rich121]

I have just upgraded my Zesto Andros 1.2 phonostage to the Andros Deluxe 2 and it will be burning in this weekend.
Also, I want to upgrade my Zesto Leto 1.5 preamp. If I stayed with the Zesto line, the upgrade would be to the Leto Ultra II which retails for $11K.
Ken Micallef wrote a very positive review in Stereophile (January 21, 2021) which is the only review of the Leto Ultra 2 I can find.
There is a very positive review of the previous version, Leto Ultra, by Robert Levi in Positive Feedback (2-22-2020)
There is very little information out on these preamps and I don't see anyone else who has them?
I am a little leary of spending $11K on a 'blind' buy.

At that price point I'm sure there are many very nice preamps and if I look into used, I bet there are some real nice preamps.
I want sound quality first, but also want reliability and a company with good support/customer service.

Next year I plan on upgrading speakers and amps.

Your suggestions and help are greatly appreciated!

Rick

 

[LL21]

At $11K, second hand, you have a lot of great options...imagine that you are looking at [ballpark] 50% off even if you are buying from authorized dealers. So you have purchasing power of up to $22K for a preamp now.

What is your ideal preamp? What are your priorities? Tube? SS? SE, XLR...plus sound-wise, what are your priorities in where the preamp excels or may not be as strong?

 

[thedudeabides]

Conrad Johnson.

 

[twitch]

I say keep what you have and put those funds into your speaker upgrade, far better move IMO and your ears will thank you !

 

[Solypsa]

Have you tried a passive preamp with the Zesto? Could be useful to experiment with something cheap and if shows promise go for a top AVC / TVC...

 

[montesquieu]

I would suggest an Audiopax Model 5. It's not a tube preamp but sounds essentially like one, only without the issues small signal tubes and HT power supplies bring. It's the closest I've heard to a faultless preamp (a big statement I know).

I've always preferred tubes and the rest of my system (power amp, DAC, phono stage, even head amp) is tube based. But somehow the Audiopax is a lovely fit. Mine is somewhere between a generation 4 (the previous model) and the recently released generation 5 model, with the revised power supply. Try and hear one if you can.

Mine replaced an EAR 912 and beat several tube preamps including Silvercore and Audio Research Ref 3 (which I previously preferred to the Ref 5) when I was auditioning for an upgrade. I had the more expensive Audiopax L50 on loan while it was being built and preferred my Model 5 (though I'm told similar upgrades are on the way for the L50).

Actually I think a listen to the Model 5 ought to be compulsory for everyone on record as recommending a passive - it has a passive's purity but with far better drive and without all the impedance issues that inevitably show up as a lumpy response.

 

[rich121]

@Solypsa

Are the output specs for the Andros Deluxe 2 good for an AVC?


Outputs per channel

• High quality output transformers driven by dedicated 12DW7/ECC832 output tubes
• True floating ground, transformer Balanced XLR gold plated outputs
• Single Ended gold plated RCA output, with isolated ground
• Impedance 150 Ohms
• +9 V max output level

 

[Solypsa]

Certainly looks promising, but only way to know is to try ( the amp that follows is also a part of the equation of course... )

Many passive solutions are not balanced but it would be good to test it with one that is if you normally run xlr to the amp

 

[Lampie519]

Vacuum State RTP3D preamp | What's Best Audio and Video Forum. The Best High End Audio Forum on the planet! (whatsbestforum.com)

 

[Frenchrooster]

Maybe Allnic , Vac Renaissance, CAT , Nagra?
these are on my mind if I upgrade one day from my EAR 912. But for now have no idea on how they compare.
what I like about the 912 are the dynamics and involvement, along with tubes sound attributes.
CAT Legend would be on my radar, if it was not so expensive today ( it has doubled the price in 10 years).

 

[KeithR]

Like the other posters, since you already have a Leto preamp why not try a Music First TVC. Linear Tube Audio is an inexpensive choice that might be an interesting as well - a David Berning design.

 

[bonzo75]

I have just upgraded my Zesto Andros 1.2 phonostage to the Andros Deluxe 2 and it will be burning in this weekend.
Also, I want to upgrade my Zesto Leto 1.5 preamp. If I stayed with the Zesto line, the upgrade would be to the Leto Ultra II which retails for $11K.
Ken Micallef wrote a very positive review in Stereophile (January 21, 2021) which is the only review of the Leto Ultra 2 I can find.
There is a very positive review of the previous version, Leto Ultra, by Robert Levi in Positive Feedback (2-22-2020)
There is very little information out on these preamps and I don't see anyone else who has them?
I am a little leary of spending $11K on a 'blind' buy.

At that price point I'm sure there are many very nice preamps and if I look into used, I bet there are some real nice preamps.
I want sound quality first, but also want reliability and a company with good support/customer service.

Next year I plan on upgrading speakers and amps.

Your suggestions and help are greatly appreciated!

Rick

The Thomas mayer 10y preamp is by far the best valve pre I have heard but you will get used one more like 11k GBP than dollar, if you are lucky, usually more, for the silver. slightly less for copper, and depends which valves you get

 

[Eric Brodersen]

Way under your price point, but I just can’t stop listening to a Transcendent Sound “The Masterpiece” preamp. It uses two 300B tubes is dead silent and intoxicating to listen to.

 

[Solypsa]

Way under your price point, but I just can’t stop listening to a Transcendent Sound “The Masterpiece” preamp. It uses two 300B tubes is dead silent and intoxicating to listen to.

I've wondered about that one. Seems like a deal.

Did you build the kit? I am a little curious about parts quality ( given the modest cost ) and wonder if you upgraded anything or just enjoy as-is?

 

[RaChiK]

You can find a used thrax Dionysos in that price range. They are under rated and but top class.

 

[Eric Brodersen]

I've wondered about that one. Seems like a deal.

Did you build the kit? I am a little curious about parts quality ( given the modest cost ) and wonder if you upgraded anything or just enjoy as-is?

Yes, I built the kit. I changed the volume control to an alps pot just for the linearity at the extremes. I later changed the output capacitors to Obbligato gold for a not noticeable change in quality of sound.

 

[Eric Brodersen]

I've wondered about that one. Seems like a deal.

Did you build the kit? I am a little curious about parts quality ( given the modest cost ) and wonder if you upgraded anything or just enjoy as-is?

I would absolutely build the kit with no changes other than the volume pot.

 

[XV-1]

conrad johnson GAT - would be an amazing upgrade

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Mcintosh make excellent tube preamps.

 

[rich121]

I settled on a Lamm LL2.1