Can anyone suggest a 500 or less tube pre?

[jamie2112]

I am looking to buy a tube pre and can't spend over 500?

 

[chadnliz]

There are many great units, used Sonic Frontiers, Audio Research, Bottlehead, Conrad Johnson, TAD and a few others.....I think buying a used tube pre is going to get you alot more then a budget new unit but there are some tube units from China that are clones of pretty expensive units from USA and Europe. A nice tube pre is really going to warm up your sound and improve image and depth........I have owned Audio Research and right now use Sonic Frontiers. If you want any ideas email me. Cheers

 

[bandphan]

New might be tough, maybe some from china, check out the used route for fischer, mac, scott ect but even then 500 could be tough. if your looking for "tube sound" maybe consider a product like music fidelity x10(quick fix)
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1209197156

or try the dyi route

 

[stratman]

If you like DIY:

http://www.paia.com/tubestuff.asp

Or if you like the "pro-sound" approach this is a great price:

http://www.frontendaudio.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=7538

 

[jamie2112]

Chinese bad?

Are chinese amps like a bad thing? I have been looking at the ming by pacific valve and tube company and they look good. Should I not go the chinese route?

 

[gus6464]

Or if you like the "pro-sound" approach this is a great price:

http://www.frontendaudio.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=7538

Ohh the knobs!! I would go crazy tweaking that thing.

 

[jamie2112]

ART is complete junk. I am a live sound engineer and would not use their gear at any show. I have been touring for the last 15 years solid and I know of nobody who uses this low end gear.I thank you for your suggestions but I think I am going to by the ming tube pre for 499 from pacific valve.

 

[gus6464]

ART is complete junk. I am a live sound engineer and would not use their gear at any show. I have been touring for the last 15 years solid and I know of nobody who uses this low end gear.I thank you for your suggestions but I think I am going to by the ming tube pre for 499 from pacific valve.

Let us know how the Ming works out. I have been checking it out as well. People on audio circle recommend you roll some NOS tubes instead of the stock ones.

 

[jamie2112]

I will be getting it in a week or so and will let you know after I burn it in.

 

[chadnliz]

Ditto..........keep us posted.