Anyone use tube preamp on AR9?

[Shacky]

I’m currently using an NAD preamp through an Odyssey Stratos amp for my AR9.

Wondering if others use tube preamp to add a little magic to the sound.  Not that it’s not already magical 😉

[DavidR]

I got rid of my Bob Latino ST120 tube amp after it arced 600vdc. Too close for comfort. I'm thinking it was a spider or cobweb on the pcb board; but that was enough. SS is easier. However, I still have my VTA SP12/PH14 Pre with some 'killer' NOS tubes and have used it with many speakers. I'm currently using it with a pair of MicroAcoustic FRMA-1 that I restored. Great match even with my 45wpc (80wpc 4ohm) A100 headphone amp.

[Giorgio AR]

I usually use a Ming Da MC-7R with AR91... perfect sound, but very great in clarity all low frequences, same in use with AR3a and AR LST.

Tubes top in preamp.: 2 x 12AX7 Telefunken, 2 x 12AU7 Philips, 1 x 5AR4 Mullard, makes greath upgraded!

[frankmarsi]

I’m wondering what sort of budget is planned for the pre-amp. My past experience is from many years ago in 1974 to be exact  when I purchased my first high-power amp, a Phase Linear 400 and using my only pre-amp, a Dynaco PAS-3X it all sounded excellent with my AR-3a’s. That pre-amp was tube and it naturally emitted a fair amount of tube-hiss. Therefore it necessitated I roll back the treble controls a touch past the flat setting more than I already had positioned it. So, because of that, I then had to listen to music to a slightly less realistic degree because of that hiss I had to lose some high frequencies, not cool. I wasn’t able to tolerate the tube noise/hiss I was getting plus, I wanted to experience the ‘NEW’ transistor components that were newly being born in those days. Fast-forward to later that year and I purchased a Phase Linear 4000 pre-amp. Good-bye tube-hiss/noise and hello, quiet backgrounds additional aided by Phase Linear’s noise-reduction circuitry and I was set for years to come.

If you’re in the process of deciding which pre-amp to purchase, I’d keep in mind its specs and how it will perform with your input sources before buying. If you intend to regularly use vinyl which is a high-level source then, the quietest pre-amp you’re looking at is the one to consider. Reality sets in when such decisions of money versus performance are made so, do the research before taking the plunge.

FM

 

 

 

43

[Shacky]

Good points Frank!  I have an Eico HF-81 that obviously can’t drive AR’s but sounds so sweet through Dynaco A25 or my Klipsch Fortes. 
 

best of both worlds may be a reach.  
 

perhaps a step up from my NAD in SS would be quiet and fuller.

 

 

 

[meta_noia_fot]

A little off-topic, but I'm using a Luxman LV-105u hybrid integrated amplifier to drive my 9's. This amp uses 2x6CG7 tubes in the amp (not pre-amp) section. These amps are kind of looked down on since they're from the BPC Alpine era of Luxman. But the amp delivers 170W into 4 ohms and has powered the 9's without any problem. I usually see these amps list for around $450. I think they're a good budget option if someone wants to power 9's and wants a touch of tube sound.

[Shacky]

Sounds like a nice amp!

[DavidR]

My VTA ST-120 had 60wpc in pentode mode and would drive the 9s but not very loud.

Output tubes were 6550 and KT88. Driver tubes were (2) 12AU7 and (1) 12BH7.

[Stimpy]

I use an original generation Schiit Audio Saga tube preamp.  Great features, with multiple inputs and outputs, switchable between tube, SS buffer, or passive outputs.  Relay switched volume control too.  Plus, I swapped the Wima coupling capacitors for Mundorf Evo Oils, bypassed with AudioCap Theta caps.  Oh, it uses a single 6SN7 tube.  Very musical, with a wide and deep soundstage.  All through AR58S speakers.

Saga+