Tube preamp.. What to choose

Anubis

Well-Known Member
Apr 27, 2016
115
15
150
Norway
Have the last few months built up a new system. And while trying out some amplifiers I did try a hybrid one from Pathos and now trying a 50w push pull poweramp. Really enjoying what tubes does with the sound.

So Im currently looking for a good tube preamp or a good tube integrated one. All second hand. And budjet us about $2500

My top contender for integrated is Line Magnetic Audio 805IA

I currently have a pair of shanling SP 80C monos on loan from a friend and it is these Im looking for a preamp for.

Have found 2 that interests me alot.

Amare Musica Deforest Diamond and Supratek Cortese

Does any of you out there have experiance with these two?

I also have a third cheep one Im looking at. Primaluna Prologue Three, any comments on that one?
images-1.jpeg
Supratek Cortese
13719521_1163593420370413_6527768002747742064_o-1.jpg
Amare Musica deforest Diamond

pre_hero.jpg
PrimaLuna Prologue three
 

Jono

Well-Known Member
Oct 27, 2017
61
30
123
I have a Suratek Cortese and a Supratek Cabernet 300B.
Both are superb souding preamps .I have compared them to far more expensive preamps and they were much better.The Cortese using 6SN7s is probably the more neutral of the two.The Cabernet uses 300Bs and gives a more lush sound .Both give very deep and precise soundstage.Other preamps just sound a bit flat and lifeless by comparison.
 

SVS

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2020
165
94
115
64
Ukraine, Vinnytsia
sound-design-atelier.com
Tube preamplifier with two XLR and two RCA inputs and a pair of XLR and RCA outputs. The device is made on the ideology of "double mono" and has independent for each channel transformer volume controls for 30 positions with status indication from 00 to 29, output transformers provide an output resistance of 150 Ohms, and remote control provides ease of use. The preamp has a tone control and the ability to work in linear and tone control modes. It also has an indication of the entry number and operating mode.
 

Attachments

  • 06.jpg
    06.jpg
    169.5 KB · Views: 14
  • 07.jpg
    07.jpg
    69.7 KB · Views: 14
  • 08.jpg
    08.jpg
    292.5 KB · Views: 14

SVS

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2020
165
94
115
64
Ukraine, Vinnytsia
sound-design-atelier.com
Another preamp. This device has only RCA inputs and outputs. It is also based on a transformer volume control and a tube amplifier with an output transformer. A feature of this device is the presence of MM/MC preamp.
 

Attachments

  • a.jpg
    a.jpg
    87.2 KB · Views: 14
  • b.jpg
    b.jpg
    228.4 KB · Views: 14
  • c.jpg
    c.jpg
    174.7 KB · Views: 10
  • f.jpg
    f.jpg
    238.3 KB · Views: 11

Norway

Active Member
Mar 26, 2022
63
117
40
63
I have the Amare Musica Deforest Diamond. If you are able to get this for $ 2500 just go for it!

 

Attachments

  • 03BE2278-00BE-44BD-BC8D-1B5E96812EE2.jpeg
    03BE2278-00BE-44BD-BC8D-1B5E96812EE2.jpeg
    523.9 KB · Views: 41
  • 73B014EE-FE78-4056-8744-ED3488714B89.jpeg
    73B014EE-FE78-4056-8744-ED3488714B89.jpeg
    776.9 KB · Views: 40

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,434
13,467
2,710
London
I have the Amare Musica Deforest Diamond. If you are able to get this for $ 2500 just go for it!


Hi are your drivers original or GPA? Also, what amps are those?
 

AMR / iFi audio

Industry Expert
Aug 21, 2019
2,636
1,153
260
43
UK
ifi-audio.com
When investing in a tube gear it's always good to take tube replacement and tube rolling into an account. Take a look at the Primaluna, it uses the popular 12A_7 series. You will easily find many current productions and NOS tubes from this series. Amare Musica uses DHT tubes. They sound wonderful but are very expensive to replace/roll.
 

Lardawg

Member
Apr 19, 2022
9
3
10
66
Pre-Amp: Granite audio 770R is an awesome pre amp....Imparts nothing to the recording so the artists vision comes thru unimpeded.
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing