[hugz]

My current rig uses:

1. Storm Dac d02 (NOS. Very rich and warm sounding)
2. either stepped attenuator, or a tube preamp that i dont like much
3. Firstwatt F2 power amp (Solid state, mosfet, single ended transconductance amplifier)
4. speakers or headphones

 
So i want to replace my "preamp" stage. Of my two preamps, the stepped attenuator is 100% neutral, but my power amp is only 5w so on some speakers I cant get enough volume. I also wonder if maybe i want a bit more lushness. my amp and dac are both warm, but who couldn't do with some tube love?
 
I dont want a preamp that's TOO tubey. combined with the DAC and amp, i think it would be over the top. I just wouldn't mind a bit of tube lushness. 300b tends to be nice and clean. tube, but not too tubey
 
A solid state preamp would also be fine; but it would have to be nice, /i dont want it to be the weakest linnk
 
Anyone have any suggestions? Lets not get too wild with price either
 
Thanks
 
Hugz

 

[hodgjy]

The Woo amps are said to be neutral, while retaining a hint of tubiness.  I have the Woo 3, and I have that same impression.  It's not bloated, loose, or flabby like some cheap tubes setups.  It's fairly neutral.  In fact, the only way I can tell it's a tube amp is the highs are slightly rolled off and there's a hint of mid-range bloom.  I like it a lot.  Of course, a lot of the final sound does depend on which tubes you use.

 

[jellojoe]

How about the Nelson Pass designed Adcom GFP-750? Used price is around 700 USD for the blue board one.

 

[Uncle Erik]

If you're interested in clean-sounding tubes, have a look at the Grounded Grid Preamp at Transcendent Sound.  You can get it as a kit for $500 or fully factory assembled for $800.  If you've ever wielded a soldering iron, the kit is an excellent value.

 

[FallenAngel]

Most headphone amps make wonderful preamps (similar technology - ability to drive long cables, low output impedance, volume control, some voltage gain).
 
With a wonderful amp like the F2, I would personally go for something that does a simple buffering/volume job on a decent budget.  Top recommendation would be a CKK-II, it's cheap (about $200 off the forums) and if I might say so myself, is overkill for a pre-amp, but it does an amazing job nonetheless.