Tubed pre without exposed tubes

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by audiorocks, Apr 15, 2021.

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  1. audiorocks

    audiorocks Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    California
    Any really good tubed preamps with tubes inside the enclosure only?
     
    enfield likes this.
  2. jbmcb

    jbmcb Forum Resident

    Location:
    Troy, MI, USA
    I think preamps with exposed tubes are the exception rather than the rule. Most of the tubed preamps I've seen are enclosed, as they are meant to slide into equipment racks, which is a dangerous operation for exposed tubes. My old Sonic Frontiers Line preamp is enclosed, as are Audio Research preamps, Lamm, McIntosh, VAC, BAT, Audio Note, Jolida, etc...
     
  3. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
    Sure, why would there not be?

    I have an Allnic L1500 with enclosed tubes, it sounds terrific and better than the Schiit Freya+ it replaced, the latter with exposed tubes that have a larger glass envelope.

    On a side note, my newest revelation is how excellent tube rectification can perform in terms of bass and dynamics. I was skeptical but am now a believer.
     
    aunitedlemon likes this.
  4. Neonknight1

    Neonknight1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Olympia
    Audible Illusions makes one, so does Van Alstine. Also Rogue Audio has at least one tube pre amp with internal tubes.
     
    chili555 likes this.
  5. Davey

    Davey NP: Hania Rani/Dobrawa Czocher ~ Inner Symphonies

    Location:
    SF Bay Area, USA
    Can't do much better than the Conrad-Johnson Premier 17LS2 without spending some serious money. Just one monolithic triode between input and output (two 6922 tubes per channel with all four sections wired in parallel), along with some relay-switched Vishay resistors for the volume control, and Teflon film capacitors. No electrolytic caps except for the heater power supply. No negative feedback. Nice sounding preamp, probably here for the duration ...


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2021
    Oelewapper, rcsrich, mds and 6 others like this.
  6. Erocka2000

    Erocka2000 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brooklyn, NY, USA
    The Luxman CL-38uC

    [​IMG]
     
    ScramMan2, Old Rusty, gestalt and 6 others like this.
  7. GoldprintAudio

    GoldprintAudio Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lexington, NC
    Rogue Audio RP5, RP7 and RP9 are all internal.
     
    gakerty likes this.
  8. BillWojo

    BillWojo Forum Resident

    Location:
    Burlington, NJ
    Audio Research! Look no further. From vintage reasonably priced to mouth watering expensive for the latest models.

    BillWojo
     
    COBill and GyroSE like this.
  9. vinylontubes

    vinylontubes Forum Resident

    Location:
    Katy, TX
    There isn't any reason not to enclose the tubes in a preamp. The tubes are generally less than 2 inches in height. Unlike power or integrated amps, you don't have taller power tubes and gigantic power supplies.
     
  10. tIANcI

    tIANcI Wondering when the hifi madness will end

    Location:
    Malaysia
    Linear Tube Audio microZOTL. It’s a very nice tube preamp.
     
  11. audiorocks

    audiorocks Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    California
    Isn't there a special name for a tubed pre with the really big tubes? I remember there was a special label used to describe those pres but I can't come up with it.
     
  12. Wayne Nielson

    Wayne Nielson Forum Resident

    Location:
    My House
    Audio by Van Alstine has a Transcendence preamp that is all tube and totally enclosed. Priced very attractively, it offers a volume control and selector switch + a headphone output via 1/4" jack. 4 inputs and 2 line outs for 2 amplifiers on the back. Its a great, quiet preamp that is very fast and dynamic.

    Transcendence 10 RB Preamplifier

    'ner
     
  13. audiorocks

    audiorocks Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    California
    Oh, Audio Note UK makes preamps. I've been AN-curious for a while now. Anyone have experience with those?
     
  14. jbmcb

    jbmcb Forum Resident

    Location:
    Troy, MI, USA
    Sure there is. Tubes look cool :)
    [​IMG]
     
  15. Erocka2000

    Erocka2000 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brooklyn, NY, USA
    I had an M3 Phono which sounded good. I could just never get used to the dual volume knobs (also the fact they were stepped attenuators) and really didn’t like not having a volume remote. They are also massive in size, so make sure you have enough space if you’re going that route.

    I’ve since moved on to a Luxman CL-38uC and MQ-88uC combo that I absolutely love. Has everything I’m looking for in sound quality, usability, and aesthetics.
     
    gestalt likes this.
  16. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    for sure check the rogue audio RH 5 linestage headphone amp. stereophile class A.
    $2500. i bought it strictly as a preamp, never used headphones.
    i have upgraded twice since then and should have kept this one. sounds transparent, refined and awesome dynamics. continues to be a sleeper but i liked the sound better than the $5000 rogue rp7.


    Rogue Audio RH-5 Headphone amp / Preamp Anyone?
     
  17. Khorn

    Khorn Dynagrunt Obversarian

    The one I’m waiting for. The ModWright LS 100.
     
  18. Tullman

    Tullman Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston MA
    Convergent Audio Technology preamps are closed. Great preamps.
     
    DaveyF likes this.
  19. astro70

    astro70 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Southern Illinois
    Maybe not your cup of tea, but if you find one with exposed tubes but you love the sound, you could probably have a cage made to go over the tubes; think Dynaco ST-70.
     
  20. audiorocks

    audiorocks Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    California
    No remote control for Audio Note UK is a problem. As far as sound signature/philosophy, which preamp makers would be the most appropriate as a AN UK substitute with remote?
     
  21. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
  22. audiorocks

    audiorocks Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    California
    Any preamps with big tubes but enclosed?
     
  23. audiorocks

    audiorocks Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    California
    ScramMan2 likes this.
  24. audiorocks

    audiorocks Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    California
    Any more preamps with big enclosed tubes? Hard to find.
     
  25. Ontheone

    Ontheone Poorly Understood Member

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Preamp tubes tend to be small.

    I use a VAC preamp...and none of the VAC preamps in the entire line use exposed tubes.
     
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