Tube preamplifier kits.

[Jimbo40]

If you're looking at C20's and 7C's, I would suggest an Audio Research SP6A for half the money. I own all three and the SP6 is in a different league. Power supply alone is far superior, along with first class capacitors and resistors.

Wow the reviews are excellent on the sp6.
This could have moved up to 1st place, thanks. More research now on the different versions. Still tone controls will be missed. I do have some excellent equalizers. Maybe I can patch 1 in and see how it goes.

 

[Jimbo40]

On further review, what about all the other arc sp8 etc.etc.
So are tone controls just not used at all with these preamps?
Yeah I know purist this and that and Yada yada Yada.
I run my tone flat for the most part but certain times with a bit of tweak in the upper range. Except with these monoblocks I haven't needed anything.

 

[stanko]

On further review, what about all the other arc sp8 etc.etc.
So are tone controls just not used at all with these preamps?
Yeah I know purist this and that and Yada yada Yada.
I run my tone flat for the most part but certain times with a bit of tweak in the upper range. Except with these monoblocks I haven't needed anything.

Audio Research SP3's have tone controls but are getting expensive. They will outplay Mac or Marantz in my opinion I have them all. After the SP6A version, B, C, SP8, etc.. the power supplies get very complicated. I have had them all too.

 

[ceylon]

On further review, what about all the other arc sp8 etc.etc.
So are tone controls just not used at all with these preamps?
Yeah I know purist this and that and Yada yada Yada.
I run my tone flat for the most part but certain times with a bit of tweak in the upper range. Except with these monoblocks I haven't needed anything.

the most famous is the AR sp3 1 a. very expensive--sells at collectors price not used gear price.

seems that most audiophiles, after moving on to gear without tone controls, dont miss tone controls. its very rare to ditch em then miss em. i got gear without tone controls/eq and gear with it. dont miss em on one, and dont use em on another.

 

[Jimbo40]

That's good to know, I will start audio researching the Sp3.
I don't mind spending the money usually on certain equipment because I do it as an investment.
I usually search for good condition but non working. Then I do the repair. After that I do a full restore, usually mimicking an expert and with help from AK.
Now the solid state stuff I'm good with and don't need much if any help but still dialog it on AK for others information.
But the tube amps and preamplifiers are different with deadly voltages and other used electronics.
Anyway by buying broken and repairing myself, I have amassed an incredible collection that is vary valuable.
The ss gear is easy and cheap to restore, and I stock just about every part, but tubes, I have no 300,400,600 volt caps or tubes, and little knowledge. And it's much harder to kill yourself on ss gear.
Thank you all for the information so far.
Now the hunt for that sp3 for parts or repair.

 

[Gigantic]

seems that most audiophiles, after moving on to gear without tone controls, dont miss tone controls. its very rare to ditch em then miss em. i got gear without tone controls/eq and gear with it. dont miss em on one, and dont use em on another.

i went to an EL84 powered tube amp for 2 channel listening back in January. I thought that I’d want tone controls and was looking at preamps, but haven’t really seen the need for them. What I really need is more inputs: the amp has two, my DAC takes one and adds another two. I’d love to be able to add another analog source if I needed to and a remote control would be nice, but the tone is nearly perfect. I was previously a big proponent of eq.

 

[Jimbo40]

i went to an EL84 powered tube amp for 2 channel listening back in January. I thought that I’d want tone controls and was looking at preamps, but haven’t really seen the need for them. What I really need is more inputs: the amp has two, my DAC takes one and adds another two. I’d love to be able to add another analog source if I needed to and a remote control would be nice, but the tone is nearly perfect. I was previously a big proponent of eq.

I hear that alot with the tube amps, and many of the very expensive preamplifiers don't have them.
However, there're so many variables that can be over ridden with just a pinch of eq.
I prefer just a pinch at 15khz just to add a twing of sparkle if a recording is dull or whatever.
I use vintage jbl, Wilson audio watt puppy 5.1, bozak, pioneer, yamaha ns1000m
They all get rounds in the rotation.
But it's so pleasant now that I can almost buy this. Maybe I'll put some other speakers on and try some alternative sets.

 

[Lavane]

You could always add a Shiit Loki tone control box later if you feel you need tone conteols. I think they come in 4, 5 bands now, maybe one other. They have a bypass switch also. After getting an Aikido without tone controls I've rarely felt the need for tone controls. There are a few recordings that aren't mixed very well that can definitely use them, but I haven't run across many. I have a SS integrated amp with tone conteols I can use for those.

 

[dcgibby]

You could always add a Shiit Loki tone control box later if you feel you need tone conteols. I think they come in 4, 5 bands now, maybe one other. They have a bypass switch also. After getting an Aikido without tone controls I've rarely felt the need for tone controls. There are a few recordings that aren't mixed very well that can definitely use them, but I haven't run across many. I have a SS integrated amp with tone conteols I can use for those.

I do exactly that. I use a Loki to tame my heavily modified HPM-100s. The Loki or the new Lokius (Max) are very transparent and can add that little bit of tweak to the tone that you need.