Lost Cause
New Member
Hoping for some suggestions on a tube preamp to mate with an MC 2105, hooked up to a pair of Cornwalls.
Targeting around $300 to $800, but budget is not fixed. Interested in anything, really, from cheap modern China stuff (like Douk or the "based on" knockoffs) to used and vintage (though the cost of vintage tube systems may be too high) to DIY kits (easy to moderate).
A few initial thoughts:
While the MC 2105 is solid state, it's reputation is that it has a tube-like sound. So, I'm assuming a tube pre-amp would help bring out that sound. I do have a FXAUDIO TUBE-03, which seems to warm up the sound nicely, though it may be confirmation bias.
Feel free to tell me tubes won't make the MC 2105 any better, or if there are any SS preamps that would do the same at a lower cost.
A phono stage is, if not a must-have, a "really want". I inherited an AR XA (that I have just overhauled) and inherited a lot of records from both my Dad (lots of classical) and Uncle (70's Rock and Jazz). I am looking forward to spending some time playing though the collection! That said, maybe a separate phono preamp is the way to go?
Another input will be used for an Amazon Alexa for now, though will eventually upgrade to some sort of streaming system. Third may be an FM tuner and, eventually, I may a cassette player just to play all my old tapes.
Looking at Rogue, Bottlehead, Schiit, the stuff on Tube Depot, eBAY, etc.
Of course, an alternative is just to go over $1k with something like a McIntosh MX113 or 114, but am tube curious - especially at a lower cost.
Targeting around $300 to $800, but budget is not fixed. Interested in anything, really, from cheap modern China stuff (like Douk or the "based on" knockoffs) to used and vintage (though the cost of vintage tube systems may be too high) to DIY kits (easy to moderate).
A few initial thoughts:
While the MC 2105 is solid state, it's reputation is that it has a tube-like sound. So, I'm assuming a tube pre-amp would help bring out that sound. I do have a FXAUDIO TUBE-03, which seems to warm up the sound nicely, though it may be confirmation bias.
Feel free to tell me tubes won't make the MC 2105 any better, or if there are any SS preamps that would do the same at a lower cost.
A phono stage is, if not a must-have, a "really want". I inherited an AR XA (that I have just overhauled) and inherited a lot of records from both my Dad (lots of classical) and Uncle (70's Rock and Jazz). I am looking forward to spending some time playing though the collection! That said, maybe a separate phono preamp is the way to go?
Another input will be used for an Amazon Alexa for now, though will eventually upgrade to some sort of streaming system. Third may be an FM tuner and, eventually, I may a cassette player just to play all my old tapes.
Looking at Rogue, Bottlehead, Schiit, the stuff on Tube Depot, eBAY, etc.
Of course, an alternative is just to go over $1k with something like a McIntosh MX113 or 114, but am tube curious - especially at a lower cost.
Are there kits available?