soundbuff
Active Member
My integrated (Xindak A600E) has a power direct input so the temptation to try a pre just for the heck of it has been ever present.
The first preamp I tried was a Leben Rs100. This was a demo item which had been in the store for some time, so could have be purchased at a good price. However I was perplexed to find that the sound quality clearly went for a toss with this pre. The dynamics went flat, the music lost its edge. All I got was a little bit of sweetening or mellowing of the sound. Spent two weeks courtesy the dealer's generosity trying to get the best out of this set up. Returned it very disappointed, but also happy in the knowledge that I had a very good pre-amp section in my integrated.
I did not bother to try a pre again thinking that I would need to go very high in the budget if I had to get an improvement. Six months ago however I had picked up a Bottle head foreplay preamp at the forum for a modest outlay. It had taken a beating in transit so I did not use it until it was properly checked. Anyhow I had it serviced, spruced up and running properly thanks to a really decent service guy, with the intention of putting it up for sale again. Yesterday before putting it up for sale I put it into my system to see if all is well. TBH I was really not prepared for how good it sounded; yes it is not the most refined pre-amp, but the music had more body and presence than with the SS. High frequencies also took on a greater tactility and sheen! While I am not entirely surprised I did not think it would make such a difference. Have done some back and forth listening since yesterday and clearly there are advantages to having the tube in the chain. Without the tube, the sound is 'flawlessly clean', and yes, the tube 'messes up' the sound, but there is more life. Looks Like I will not be selling the Bottlehead until I have done some more listening. May be even get new tubes.
Suggestions for preamps to listen to are requested. Am hoping to be able to borrow a Xindak entry level hybrid tube preamp for starters. I would prefer tubes for sure. The max budget I could push would be 3 lakhs, but half that is what I can really manage.
The first preamp I tried was a Leben Rs100. This was a demo item which had been in the store for some time, so could have be purchased at a good price. However I was perplexed to find that the sound quality clearly went for a toss with this pre. The dynamics went flat, the music lost its edge. All I got was a little bit of sweetening or mellowing of the sound. Spent two weeks courtesy the dealer's generosity trying to get the best out of this set up. Returned it very disappointed, but also happy in the knowledge that I had a very good pre-amp section in my integrated.
I did not bother to try a pre again thinking that I would need to go very high in the budget if I had to get an improvement. Six months ago however I had picked up a Bottle head foreplay preamp at the forum for a modest outlay. It had taken a beating in transit so I did not use it until it was properly checked. Anyhow I had it serviced, spruced up and running properly thanks to a really decent service guy, with the intention of putting it up for sale again. Yesterday before putting it up for sale I put it into my system to see if all is well. TBH I was really not prepared for how good it sounded; yes it is not the most refined pre-amp, but the music had more body and presence than with the SS. High frequencies also took on a greater tactility and sheen! While I am not entirely surprised I did not think it would make such a difference. Have done some back and forth listening since yesterday and clearly there are advantages to having the tube in the chain. Without the tube, the sound is 'flawlessly clean', and yes, the tube 'messes up' the sound, but there is more life. Looks Like I will not be selling the Bottlehead until I have done some more listening. May be even get new tubes.
Suggestions for preamps to listen to are requested. Am hoping to be able to borrow a Xindak entry level hybrid tube preamp for starters. I would prefer tubes for sure. The max budget I could push would be 3 lakhs, but half that is what I can really manage.
