New tubes or pre amp?

[Tyguy1]

I’m looking to make some small changes to my current system. Fluance rt 85, boyuurange mt34 mk2, cheap rolls pre amp (60$), klipsch kg 4. I’m pretty happy with the amp, tt and the speakers but I’d love a little more clarity. I have 2-250 bucks burning a hole in my pocket should I upgrade my pre amp or get different tubes? Maybe something else or maybe it’s not even possible. Any advice would you be appreciated.

 

[E-Stat]

Replace the (presumably) Rolls phono preamp.

 

[Hoytis]

I'm assuming you're running the Ortofon Blue cart? That should be giving you a decent amount of clarity. I agree with E-Stat...replace the preamp. In that price range I'd be looking at offers from iFi, Pro-Ject, Cambridge Audio. But, personally, I'd wait and save up a bit more to get into the $500-$750 range... Lehmann, Graham Slee, Vincent, Rothwell, etc. Then you'll really start to hear a difference.

 

[Tyguy1]

I'm assuming you're running the Ortofon Blue cart? That should be giving you a decent amount of clarity. I agree with E-Stat...replace the preamp. In that price range I'd be looking at offers from iFi, Pro-Ject, Cambridge Audio. But, personally, I'd wait and save up a bit more to get into the $500-$750 range... Lehmann, Graham Slee, Vincent, Rothwell, etc. Then you'll really start to hear a difference.

It is the 2mblue, and maybe clarity isn’t quite the right word, I just know things could be better. I have been looking at some Vincent. Audio advisor has some deals on some demos that are interesting.

 

[Hoytis]

It is the 2mblue, and maybe clarity isn’t quite the right word, I just know things could be better. I have been looking at some Vincent. Audio advisor has some deals on some demos that are interesting.

I found the Vincent PHO-701 to be an excellent pre, delivering detailed separation of instruments but with some warmth. It's not a true tube pre amp, they just use a single tube as a buffer. But it does the trick perfectly. Plus it has a ton of load options with DIP switches on the bottom.

 

[GKTAUDIO]

+1 on a new phono preamp.
I've also got a PHO-701, as well as several others, all of which have been improvements over less expensive units I had before.
Also assuming the stylus is in good condition.

 

[Tyguy1]

+1 on a new phono preamp.
I've also got a PHO-701, as well as several others, all of which have been improvements over less expensive units I had before.
Also assuming the stylus is in good condition.

I assume the stylus is fine. it might just now be about a half a year old.

 

[Tyguy1]

I found the Vincent PHO-701 to be an excellent pre, delivering detailed separation of instruments but with some warmth. It's not a true tube pre amp, they just use a single tube as a buffer. But it does the trick perfectly. Plus it has a ton of load options with DIP switches on the bottom.

I

I found the Vincent PHO-701 to be an excellent pre, delivering detailed separation of instruments but with some warmth. It's not a true tube pre amp, they just use a single tube as a buffer. But it does the trick perfectly. Plus it has a ton of load options with DIP switches on the bottom.

unfortunately, the 701 is out of my budget. I’m a dad of three young kids and although my wife is very understanding, I don’t think it’d fly. Hopefully the 300 is pretty good too, or maybe I can find something on eBay.

 

[FlaCharlie]

I’m looking to make some small changes to my current system. . . . I have 2-250 bucks burning a hole in my pocket should I upgrade my pre amp or get different tubes?

I'm not into vinyl but I've heard good reports about the EAR 834 clone phono preamps. I know that @StepheK has built and sold a few of the kit versions and has several videos about the process and results on her YT channel.

If you're not up for a kit build they are also available in finished form and are in your price range.