What is your opinion of this DIY tube preamp for phono and CD playback?

[Cosmic Char]

In lieu of spending $5-10k on a preamp for play of LP's and CD's but still getting that beautiful warm tube amp sound, what does anyone think of this product? I am certainly open for honest comments and thoughts...hopefully constructive! I have experienced nothing but constructive comments here so far (wanted to add that). Or, should I just save up and get a McIntosh or equivalent production model/brand?

My system for phono and CD is Anthem MRX510, Rotel 1582 MkII, Revel F208's, +/- Hsu VTF-3 MK5 HP. I will probably not need the subwoofer. I will probably run it passthrough the Anthem, if/when I get a good preamp.

Let the comments fly!!!.....

 

[slipperybidness]

In lieu of spending $5-10k on a preamp for play of LP's and CD's but still getting that beautiful warm tube amp sound, what does anyone think of this product? I am certainly open for honest comments and thoughts...hopefully constructive! I have experienced nothing but constructive comments here so far (wanted to add that). Or, should I just save up and get a McIntosh or equivalent production model/brand?

My system for phono and CD is Anthem MRX510, Rotel 1582 MkII, Revel F208's, +/- Hsu VTF-3 MK5 HP. I will probably not need the subwoofer. I will probably run it passthrough the Anthem, if/when I get a good preamp.

Let the comments fly!!!.....

I can't really comment much on that particular pre-amp as I have no experience with it. I will say that it looks like a good layout and well thought out clean design.

But, I did buy my ST-70 clone kit from Bob Latino, and he seems to be associated with Tubes4hifi, he is listed as the dealer on the east coast.

So, I have pretty good confidence in this company and in Bob. Bob will offer quick customer support, responds to emails on the weekend, etc. These guys obviously run this business as a passion project, and that shows in their products and customer service.

Personally, I would NOT pay more than about $1K for a 2 channel pre-amp, and that is already pushing it! So, yes, I agree that a kit is a much better option.

Don't expect a pre-amp to do much for you. A tube pre-amp will add some warmth though.

If you are still hesitant, I suggest giving these guys a call to talk to them about your goals etc. I never spoke to them on the phone, just email, but I think if are already leaning towards a purchase and you call and talk to them, you will most likely be buying a kit.

Edit:
I forgot to mention, I also like that Bob didn't try to upsell me on upraded tubes, etc. He was clear that if I wanted to spend a little extra $, then I should put the $ on Cap Upgrades, but ONLY the caps IN THE SIGNAL PATH. A snake oil salesman would have tried to upsell me at every opportunity, and try to milk those cap upgrades for the entire amp.

 

[Cosmic Char]

I can't really comment much on that particular pre-amp as I have no experience with it. I will say that it looks like a good layout and well thought out clean design.

But, I did buy my ST-70 clone kit from Bob Latino, and he seems to be associated with Tubes4hifi, he is listed as the dealer on the east coast.

So, I have pretty good confidence in this company and in Bob. Bob will offer quick customer support, responds to emails on the weekend, etc. These guys obviously run this business as a passion project, and that shows in their products and customer service.

Personally, I would NOT pay more than about $1K for a 2 channel pre-amp, and that is already pushing it! So, yes, I agree that a kit is a much better option.

Don't expect a pre-amp to do much for you. A tube pre-amp will add some warmth though.

If you are still hesitant, I suggest giving these guys a call to talk to them about your goals etc. I never spoke to them on the phone, just email, but I think if are already leaning towards a purchase and you call and talk to them, you will most likely be buying a kit.

Edit:
I forgot to mention, I also like that Bob didn't try to upsell me on upraded tubes, etc. He was clear that if I wanted to spend a little extra $, then I should put the $ on Cap Upgrades, but ONLY the caps IN THE SIGNAL PATH. A snake oil salesman would have tried to upsell me at every opportunity, and try to milk those cap upgrades for the entire amp.

Thank you for your insight!

 

[TLS Guy]

In lieu of spending $5-10k on a preamp for play of LP's and CD's but still getting that beautiful warm tube amp sound, what does anyone think of this product? I am certainly open for honest comments and thoughts...hopefully constructive! I have experienced nothing but constructive comments here so far (wanted to add that). Or, should I just save up and get a McIntosh or equivalent production model/brand?

My system for phono and CD is Anthem MRX510, Rotel 1582 MkII, Revel F208's, +/- Hsu VTF-3 MK5 HP. I will probably not need the subwoofer. I will probably run it passthrough the Anthem, if/when I get a good preamp.

Let the comments fly!!!.....

So you plan to connect a pre amp to a receiver. That makes sense only if you want to control the turntable at a remote location.

I am totally unconvinced about warm tube sound. The fact is that 50 cent opamp chips beat any tube preamp stage by a mile.

I think this tube fad, is an expensive equalizer for speakers that are too hot in the top end.

It will be a fun project to build and you will learn a lot. Improve sound quality no.

 

[slipperybidness]

So you plan to connect a pre amp to a receiver. That makes sense only if you want to control the turntable at a remote location.

I am totally unconvinced about warm tube sound. The fact is that 50 cent opamp chips beat any tube preamp stage by a mile.

I think this tube fad, is an expensive equalizer for speakers that are too hot in the top end.

It will be a fun project to build and you will learn a lot. Improve sound quality no.

+1

You nailed it, as usual!

In pure performance metrics, cheap op-amps outperform tubes, and do it more efficiently. And tubes are not cheap!

If the OP is interested in DIY and building his skill set as much as building equipment, then it will be $ well spent. If the OP is trying to improve his sound quality, it won't happen, and there exists a real possibility that SQ will get worse!

I also agree, all these people that connect a pre-amp to an AVR and use HT bypass......just why, why, why??? And to add tubes into the mix, awkward! It just adds complexity where it is not needed, and really does nothing to the SQ. I prefer to take that pre-amp and fill out a completely separate system.

 

[Cosmic Char]

Again, thanks for the great, honest feedback. I will stick with what I have!