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Using an inexpensive tube preamp to drive a proper amp?

lattiboy

lattiboy

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

Please excuse the utter noobish-ness of this post. I've looked around a lot and come away completely confused.

So, I've had to return my Monoprice hybrid tube amp because of a faulty power supply. While I really like the look and sound of my little amp, it seems to me more sensible to purchase a proper tube preamp and then use a SMSL 50W Class D amp or something with more power for some of my larger speakers. I see this guy or this guy available, but I'm not sure if that's a valid option. I use a Chromecast Audio 90% of the time.

To further confuse things, I also see "power amps". I understand they are simply supposed to amplify the incoming signal without any modification to the sound. Would it make sense to use a small pre-amp and a poweramp? I've seen these setups a lot in vintage and high-end gear, but I'm surprised I don't see power amps from some of these Chinese companies like SMSL and Topping. Only Pyle, who are the worst, seem to make them in my price range.

Is there a decent-ish tube pre-amp you all could recommend? I would define cheap as $50-125. And I would define "decent-ish" in terms of somebody with very little audio expertise who appreciates the sound my dumb little monoprice amp made vs my solid state amps.

Is this a bad idea? Is there another route you folks would recommend for the budget?

PS I'm not afraid of ebay, and I've been looking at vintage tube amps for awhile. Unfortunately, they all look to be in horrible shape or are hilariously expensive.

PPS I realize this is in no way a "real" tube amp! If I had the $$$ to spend, I would totally get a proper tube amp, but I don't....
 
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If the amp you're reffering to is this...
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13194
...I'm stunned. $150??? How is it possible to make something that looks so expensive, ship it across the world, sell it in a shop that has to make a profit, for $150?
Valve/tube technology is inherently more expensive than modern IC stuff (high voltage power supplies etc.) and to aim at a retail price so low must mean cutting corners somewhere.
The same must apply if you're thinking of buying a valve pre-amp. My advice would be not to buy any cheap valve gear.
The 50W class D amp has a volume control anyway, so no need for a pre-amp.
 
Right, I get I could just use the SMSL amp, but I enjoy the look and sound of the tubes. Some people say it's placebo, but I have done a bit of A/B testing on the same speakers (Polk RTi6s) and noticed a significant difference. Call it "warmness" or "less harsh", but that little amp (which I paid $99 for refurbished) produced it.

So, back to the original question, is there a valve pre-amp that I could use either a SMSL 50W amp or a vintage power amp with that won't break the bank?

I also see a lot of Chinese tube amps at around the $200-400 range. This one for example. What's the consensus on these?
 
better off if you can DIY IMO. Preamp and poweramp separates for most flexability. big or small your choice.
stereo or monoblock.
tube poweramp 35wpc is amazing with 90db eff spkrs.

but then, I just finished DIY a 0.75 WPC SET "Darling" amp with great sound
on my 98db eff spkrs.

It all depends on your tastes, money, capabilities, desires, wants, likes.
U chooze.
 
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I bought a Little Bear P-3 all tube preamp a couple of years ago from eBay for about $80.00. I think it's a great little piece. It runs 2 6N3 in the preamp and has a tube rectifier...can't remember what...similar to a 6X4. This is not a placebo buffer but a true tube preamp running the front end at around 190 Volts. First thing to do is to shitcan the Chinese 6N3...they sound awful. The amp will run 5670s, 2C51s or 496A. I've tried several different varieties settling on Sylvania 2C51s from the 1960s. The tubes are plentiful and affordable...except the Western Electric 496A which cost about as much as the preamp. Bendix tubes are hard to find and even more expensive. Keep in mind that this is a line level preamp, so if you want to play vinyl you would need a phono preamp. That would be my recommendation FWIW. :king:
 
rothwellaudio said:
If the amp you're reffering to is this...
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13194
...I'm stunned. $150??? How is it possible to make something that looks so expensive, ship it across the world, sell it in a shop that has to make a profit, for $150?
Valve/tube technology is inherently more expensive than modern IC stuff (high voltage power supplies etc.) and to aim at a retail price so low must mean cutting corners somewhere.
The same must apply if you're thinking of buying a valve pre-amp. My advice would be not to buy any cheap valve gear.
The 50W class D amp has a volume control anyway, so no need for a pre-amp.
Click to expand...
That amp definitely not a tube amp (8lbs)
The little bear isn't bad to wet your feet. While limited to one input coupled to a 3116 chip amp I think it would surprise many.
 
rothwellaudio said:
No, but the seller is actually a reseller, ie a second profit still has to be made on top of the original manufacturer's profit. Even online retailers have overheads and running costs.
Click to expand...

You can buy them in quantity directly from the factory in China, and have them put your name on the front. I guess if you buy a 1000 units, they're probably $50 each, or less.

jeff
 
You might want to take a look at the Musical Paradise website. They have a 50 wpc class D amp with tube front end and a built-in dac all for$150. Maybe it's too good to be true but who knows? Can't hurt for you to look. Sounds like it might be a solution for you.
 
vinylkid58 said:
You can buy them in quantity directly from the factory in China, and have them put your name on the front. I guess if you buy a 1000 units, they're probably $50 each, or less.

jeff
Click to expand...
Well exactly, that's the point I was making - how can you expect a quality product when it's so cheap?
 
In response to the threads title yes a cheap tube pre works well with a proper stand alone amp. This is the common two 6N3 tube variety preamp found on eBay feeding a Soundcraftsmen A2801 amp.
cbcce4d55bbfb5eb4209606a178fe1bb_zpshnqd5zdl.jpg
 
Oh am I anxious to jump in on this thread! (Albeit an older one...)

I've got lots of high end gear, and heard even more. I currently own Vincent Hybrid gear and Cary Audio DAC/music center with Triangle towers out of France. I only mention this to say that I am exposed to more expensive stuff.

Guess what else I own? A Monoprice hybrid amp, much like the OP points to, and I love it! I originally purchased one based on the rave reviews online. I figured at just under $200 for their 50wpc model I could easily return it and not be hurt. Not only did I keep it, but I play it often...it sounds that good. (To me)

The most effective use I get from this little gem is to use it as a tube buffer or pre-amp, in front of just about any sort of power amplifier. I love the detail, and the overall sonic note it adds to the music. It's currently doing duty in front of an older Harman Kardon AVR 8000 in two channel mode, driving a set of Swans Diva 4.1 towers with outboard tweeters rated at 4 ohm, in a small room. The synergy found with the magic tube sound of the Monoprice unit, along with the warm HK signature is stunning, and the included tone controls are super sensitive and effective. Sure, my Vincent/Cary/Triangle combination sounds better, but this setup also sounds incredibly good.

I think Monoprice is missing out on an opportunity to market this gem as a standalone pre-amp without the included SS amplifer. Dress it up with a few more options and connections and they'd have a sure winner. Many of the user reviews rave about just how good it sounds, and while I get that it's hard to believe possible at the selling price point, IMH opinion, it really does sound that good!
 
I'd look at a Music Angel preamp (Marantz 7 circuit) and pair it with a Dayton USA APA150 from Parts Express. A different price point though I'd wager an entirely different performance level as well ;)
 
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