• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Tube Preamp Vs SS Preamp

parkcitygolf

parkcitygolf

Searching for the sound.
I use a MC32 with my Dynaco MK3's right now and I wondered how much of a difference would I see by upgrading to a tube preamp. I recently bought a Dynaco Pas3 really cheap but that needs some work and was wondering what a good option would be for a preamp for my awesome MK3's.
 
Register to hide this ad
The pas3 would be a good driver for Mk3. Just make shure that the selenium rectifier
is replaced or at least bypassed with a pair of si-diodes.
There is tons of mods for this amp, but you might not need any, listen first decide later.
 
By the time you account for your time/parts to rebuild the PAS you could probably buy a CJ, Audible Illusions, etc., tube preamp which will probably sound better.

I don't own a PAS and just can't justify the cost vs something much more modern for the same price .... or less. I have a CJ PV11L which I find tubey sounding and an upgraded Bruce Moore 2B which is less tubey sounding but very revealing and is probably similar to an AI 3a from what I've read.

Or rebuild the PAS and sell it if you don't like it and buy something else.

Or if you're handy build an Aikido.

Just my $0.02, but YMMV.
 
I am in the process of receiving a Scout 1.1 with a Grado Reference Master 1. Should be here middle of next week. On my Sl1210 MK5 i have a shure m97xe at the moment.
 
I really wasn't impressed with the sound of the stock PAS I had. I can think of quite a few solid state preamps that sound better.

The better tube preamps, such as CJ, ARC, Audible Illusions, VTL, etc. are a different story entirely.
 
parkcitygolf said:
I am in the process of receiving a Scout 1.1 with a Grado Reference Master 1. Should be here middle of next week. On my Sl1210 MK5 i have a shure m97xe at the moment.
Click to expand...

Greetings fellow SLC-area Scout 1.1 owner. :) My Scout is running into a Juicy Music Tercel II phono stage, and then to a Modwright SWL 9.0SE pre-amp. Sounds great!
 
Done any mods on that Modwright yet?

modwright-gz34.jpg


Come on ... you KNOW you WANT to! <G>
 
sKiZo said:
Done any mods on that Modwright yet?

Come on ... you KNOW you WANT to! <G>
Click to expand...

It's pre-"Mod"ed. :) Only thing I've done is to stick in a nice Mullard 5AR4 rectifier. I have a metal-based one, too, but haven't tried it yet.
 
I've got a PAS that I've totally rebuilt/modified with many new parts, phono update, rebuilt P/S, etc. etc. It has taken up residency as my main/only preamp for a few months with more or less daily use. I use a set of four Telefunkens (!) that do sound a little better (to my ears) than the set of four Cryo'ed JJs that are currently in there.

Truth? Overall, it's OK, but it's not burning the place up. I think the line stage is fine; the phono stage doesn't seem as clean and detailed as I was/am hoping to hear. (My McIntosh C30 phono stage sounded way cleaner.) I'm on the prowl for something that is going to best it and it will likely go back in to the Magnavox console it came from. :D

I re-borrowing a friend's Audio Research SP-9 Mk.III for a more direct comparison. Others have mentioned AI and CJ, both on my short list for opportunities to compare, as well as ARC.
 
There was an amazing ARC on bartertown that I missed a month or so ago. Man I wish I would have just pulled that trigger.

Has anyone tried out the Bob Latino higher end preamps? I havent read much on them but they seem like a solid build.

Whats the Holy Grail 1kish tube pre?
 
How do the Bottlehead Foreplays fare in this area? I think you can pick one up under $1000 without too much trouble.
 
Folks have been known to sell off Audio Note M2 phono for a song... cost a bundle new and is a very good sounding pre. Might take awhile to find one though.
 
When it comes down to the wire, Tubes will generally sound better than SS for price per performance. You're spending twice as much on Solid state, however SS doesn't breakdown easily where tubes need maintenance.

I say buy a kit and save some money, I heard great things about transcendent sounds phono tube preamp!
 
I'm in the SS pre camp as well. It's harder to make a tube preamp quiet than a solid-state preamp (not impossible, but definitely harder). When you are dealing with mV power ratings, the quieter the better. There are a lot of very good solid-state preamplifiers that were made in the 1970s and 1980s...and surprisingly to some, Kenwood and Yamaha made several of them.

-D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom