Cheap tube preamp

[Cambo5150]

I have a Dynaco ST-120 as my shop amp. I’d like to find a cheap tube preamp to pair with it so I can have tone controls and volume. Like to keep the price under $200. Don’t need a dac or Bluetooth. Just a preamp with tone controls.

 

[Cambo5150]

 

[Lavane]

Finding a tube preamp with tone controls under $200 is going to be tuff.
That Dynaco ST-120 is solid state. It would be easier to find a Chinese solid state preamp with tone controls under $200. Or something used maybe.

 

[playittwice]

^^^ Agree, it’s unfortunate, but “cheap” and “tube” don’t go together in the tube world.

 

[malden]

A Dynaco PAT 4 can be found for under $200 but it is solid state. If working properly, should sound as good or better than a cheap tube preamp

 

[Lavane]

A Dynaco PAT 4 can be found for under $200 but it is solid state. If working properly, should sound as good or better than a cheap tube preamp

Good idea. Also there is an upgrade kit for the phono stage in the PAT4.
It's just a few parts and easy to implement. I had a PAT4 for awhile. Its a nice SS preamp. A PAT5 would work well with that amp also.

 

[malden]

I have both a Dynaco PAS 3 (tube) and a Dynaco PAT 4 (solid state), both are restored with no mods or upgrades. I like the sound of the PAT 4 better, it's livelier than the PAS 3

 

[eiraved]

No name brand here, well within your price range. Looks like a knock-off of the Nobsound 6J2 Tube Preamp.

Amazon.com: Premium Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Volume Treble Bass Control : Electronics

Buy Premium Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Volume Treble Bass Control: Preamplifiers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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[Lavane]

I have both a Dynaco PAS 3 (tube) and a Dynaco PAT 4 (solid state), both are restored with no mods or upgrades. I like the sound of the PAT 4 better, it's livelier than the PAS 3

The only mod I did to the PAT4 was to the phono stage. It corrects the RIAA EQ if I remember ri

No name brand here, well within your price range. Looks like a knock-off of the Nobsound 6J2 Tube Preamp.

Amazon.com: Premium Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Volume Treble Bass Control : Electronics

Buy Premium Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Volume Treble Bass Control: Preamplifiers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

View attachment 2984255

These are usually either a tube front end with SS output, or SS with the tubes used as a buffer. I have on without tone controls I use in a small tube system. Mine has tubes driving a single ended SS output stage. It sounds pretty darn good for what it is. I've used it with SS amps as well.

 

[Mr Boochie]

The only mod I did to the PAT4 was to the phono stage. It corrects the RIAA EQ if I remember ri

These are usually either a tube front end with SS output, or SS with the tubes used as a buffer. I have on without tone controls I use in a small tube system. Mine has tubes driving a single ended SS output stage. It sounds pretty darn good for what it is. I've used it with SS amps as well.

Tube buffer ones can be nice. I use one for headphones, on the TV.

 

[TriodeLuvr]

No name brand here, well within your price range. Looks like a knock-off of the Nobsound 6J2 Tube Preamp.

Amazon.com: Premium Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Volume Treble Bass Control : Electronics

Buy Premium Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Volume Treble Bass Control: Preamplifiers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

View attachment 2984255

That's amazing. The translation (obviously from Chinese) says it can output 20W/ch.

 

[mcgjohn]

I have a Dynaco ST-120 as my shop amp. I’d like to find a cheap tube preamp to pair with it so I can have tone controls and volume. Like to keep the price under $200. Don’t need a dac or Bluetooth. Just a preamp with tone controls.

quite the tall order. If you can swing it, would go with the Chinese Marantz 7 clone. There are several variants available but most are more than your 200 buck budget.

 

[Lavane]

quite the tall order. If you can swing it, would go with the Chinese Marantz 7 clone. There are several variants available but most are more than your 200 buck budget.

No tone controls though. The OP stated he wanted tone controls.
That kind of leaves you with the hybrids for under $200.

 

[Lavane]

The Douk Audio T8 Pro is a hybrid with seven band tone controls for under $200. Just look it up on ebay. Douk Audio has a lot of different equipment choises.

 

[eiraved]

That's amazing. The translation (obviously from Chinese) says it can output 20W/ch.

...when connected to a 20 wpc amp (translation).

 

[Tinkerbelle]

I would think you might get a console tube preamp with volume & tone controls.

 

[SS904]

If you are willing to go the DIY route, ERHARD Audio kits are great. If you don't need a phono stage, you could combine the power supply and tone control line stage kits and be just over $200. Build or buy a chassis. In / out connectors, power cord, tubes and such are going to put you well over budget, but these preamps are very good. Tubes are where you're going to eventually spend a lot of money. Figure $30 - 50 and up for a single preamp tube. Then you'll want to $tart trying deferent tube$ for that perfect tone....

 

[mcgjohn]

No tone controls though. The OP stated he wanted tone controls.
That kind of leaves you with the hybrids for under $200.

thanks, yes saw that which makes the order even taller.

 

[Lavane]

I think we lost the OP.

 

[eiraved]

@Cambo5150 is still around, but for some reason he's not responding to his thread (Last seen Yesterday at 9:30 AM)