First Tube Preamp - TAD CR-1 & Hypex NC1200 Monos

[galactic soap]

Hi Everyone,

My system is currently made up of the following components:

Speaker - TAD CR-1
Subwoofers: 2 x SVS SB2000's
DAC #1 - Reimyo DAP-999 Limited
DAC#2 - Audio Note DAC 5.1 Signature (on its'way from Melbourne)
D2D - Two Schitt Eitr's
Preamplifer - Xindak 8250 (Temporary)
Amplifier #1 - March Audio NC1200 Monoblocks for the TAD's

I'm looking to reintroduce a pre-amplifier back into the system and I'd like to try one with tubes. I'm hoping to achieve the following:

1) Introduce a hint of sweetness/euphonic tonality in the upper registers
2) Introduce some holographic imaging and sound-stage depth
3) Maintain the black background and low noise floor I'm enjoying with my current solid state setup
4) Maintain the transient speed and low frequency impact and definition I'm enjoying with current solid state setup

Inversely I want to avoid the following:

1) Overly warm and syrupy tonality
2) Losing system agility by way of PRAT
3) Introducing an audible noise floor
4) Losing bass definition and slam

My budget is around $AU10K - $AU15K (about $US7K to $US10K) Some options I'm considering at the moment:

1) Second hand Audio Research Reference 6
2) Audio Note Kits Mentor Level 5
3) Reimyo CAT-777
4) LAMM Level 2
5) EAR 912
6) Herron Audio VTSP-360
7) Supratek


Tube's are something I'm not familiar with. I was hoping to get some advice, specifically answers to the following questions:

1) Will any of the pre's I've mentioned be a poor match for my system by way of impedance matching and gain?
2) Are NOS tube's readily available?
3) Anything else you feel I should consider.

Lastly, I'll be introducing the following into my system over the course of the year:

1) Dirac DSP probably via MiniDSP Studio
2) PS Audio P10 Regenerator

Over the last 48 hours I've been offered an Octave HP700, Accustic Arts Tube Premamp II and PS Audio BHK Pre all within my price range. I'd love to hear your thoughts re: those 3 pre's compared to my initial list above, and overall impressions re: my approach given the rest of my system.

I think that's it guys! Thanks in advance re: any help.

Cheers,
GS

[Mechnutt]

ARC all the way.

[Mechnutt]

ARC all the way. I haven't heard the other brands. But I think that ARC will give you the sound that you are looking for.

[Hounddog]

I have the cr -1s, but ss amps and pre. Tubes in the sources does the perfect trick for my ears with those speakers.


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[kach22i]

I have to say that ARC seems to go out of their way to avoid a "tube sound" at any cost, in fact they sound like good solid state equipment to me. So maybe that's the most "neutral" of the ones on the list that I've actually heard or read about. I have been in the past "why bother with tubes if ARC" but have heard some really good combinations with their equipment before.

I like a good tube sound that includes a presence and bloom, and even better yet is tubes that you can forget are tubes like with Doshi's stuff.

Again this is my own personal taste, but from the list the Supratek is the only one with exposed tubes and I like that look myself. I want to see what I am paying for and not hide it.

Some used Doshi stuff sometimes shows up at the below website and also on the Gon.

https://www.paragonsns.com/product-c...wned-specials/

No more bloom on Doshi's stuff than in real live music, to me it is the most balanced equipment I've heard to date.


EDIT:

I have heard bad stories about mismatched bias on tube preamps and solid state amplification, does not always happens but can lead to a dull rolled off sound. Best ask the shop selling it to you, or if private owner look up the specs yourself.

I'm not exactly sure what to look for, perhaps read an article or two on the subject.

The one time I mixed my tube preamp with a solid state amp I felt like I was not getting the full benefit and charter available compared to an all tube amp and preamp. Oddly it is more and better bass I get with all tube system, and this goes against anything you will read.

EDIT-2

What part of the world/country are you in?

That might affect your choice.

Can you home demo from a local dealer?

[Mechnutt]

I have to say that ARC seems to go out of their way to avoid a "tube sound" at any cost, in fact they sound like good solid state equipment to me. So maybe that's the most "neutral" of the ones on the list that I've actually heard or read about. I have been in the past "why bother with tubes if ARC" but have heard some really good combinations with their equipment before.

I like a good tube sound that includes a presence and bloom, and even better yet is tubes that you can forget are tubes like with Doshi's stuff.

Again this is my own personal taste, but from the list the Supratek is the only one with exposed tubes and I like that look myself. I want to see what I am paying for and not hide it.

Some used Doshi stuff sometimes shows up at the below website and also on the Gon.

https://www.paragonsns.com/product-c...wned-specials/

No more bloom on Doshi's stuff than in real live music, to me it is the most balanced equipment I've heard to date.


EDIT:

I have heard bad stories about mismatched bias on tube preamps and solid state amplification, does not always happens but can lead to a dull rolled off sound. Best ask the shop selling it to you, or if private owner look up the specs yourself.

I'm not exactly sure what to look for, perhaps read an article or two on the subject.

The one time I mixed my tube preamp with a solid state amp I felt like I was not getting the full benefit and charter available compared to an all tube amp and preamp. Oddly it is more and better bass I get with all tube system, and this goes against anything you will read.

EDIT-2

What part of the world/country are you in?

That might affect your choice.

Can you home demo from a local dealer?

That has not been my experience with ARC. However, they are not warm and syrupy, in part due to the 6H30 tube. I love the LS28 and almost bought one, wish I had. I found it very tube like, more so than my BAT VK51se.

By the way, I would also consider an Atma-Sphere preamp. Very musical and punchy. Not syrupy and has a midrange that is spectacular. I have heard both an MP-1 and MP-3.

[kach22i]

That has not been my experience with ARC. However, they are not warm and syrupy, in part due to the 6H30 tube. I love the LS28 and almost bought one, wish I had. I found it very tube like, more so than my BAT VK51se.

By the way, I would also consider an Atma-Sphere preamp. Very musical and punchy. Not syrupy and has a midrange that is spectacular. I have heard both an MP-1 and MP-3.

I don't recall which model of BAT I heard or with what speakers, but I recall a nice large soundstage and not as tube-like as let's say Conrad Johnson. Unfortunately the setup had the speakers very far apart and the center stage suffered a little as a result.

Atma-Sphere would be an interesting choice, I've only seen them, not heard them.

Lots of good stuff out there, I suggest getting one's self to a couple of high-end stores and getting a taste of a few before deciding.

If no stores around perhaps a local Yahoo/Google group of audio enthusiasts (AK?) or someone in this forum nearby could help out.

[hifinutt]

another vote for the arc , they are amazing amps with slam and a fantastic sense of presence , if you need to resell there is a huge market for them

[Golum]

If I can chime in due to the fact that I have Ref6 preamp which I combine with Ref75 power amp, but for you maybe more important, with Ice 1200s2 power amp. Combo tube preamp/D class amp is just awesome and doing exactly what you are after. I would add one more preamp onto the list as a good friend of mine has it in the same combo (tube pre with D class) and it's a Einstein "The Pre" - great pcs of gear - very neutral, dynamic,...

Cheers;
G

[hifinutt]

just love my class D icepower 50 amps , [see my thread on silbatone ] I am thinking of some nord edge 1cepower monoblocks possibly .

https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/prod...0as2-in-silver

[joeinid]

I would love to hear the new McIntosh MC901 amps on a pair of TAD CR-1 or R1 tweaked to my liking. I think it would be spectacular.