Tube preamp suggestions under $11K, new/used

LL21

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Congratulations...a serious preamp from one of the most respected designers.
 

RaChiK

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DasguteOhr

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Silvaweld SWC 1000R with WE 417 Tubes/E 88cc Valvo or TFk
Dynamic and Resolution wonderful
20130811_121321.jpg
Used for 2.5- 3k€ a bargain
 
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christoph

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Silvaweld SWC 1000R with WE 417 Tubes/E 88cc Valvo or TFk
Dynamic and Resolution wonderful
View attachment 82569
Used for 2.5- 3k€ a bargain
Is that yours?
I paid a LOT more for mine :oops:
But it really is a wonderful preamp :cool:

What tubes do you recommend for the Power Supply?
 

DasguteOhr

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Is that yours?
I paid a LOT more for mine :oops:
But it really is a wonderful preamp :cool:

What tubes do you recommend for the Power Supply?
From Netherlands for 2700€ It is from my cousin, i ask him what tubes he used for power supply.
 

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christoph

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From Netherlands for 2700€ It is from my cousin, i ask him what tubes he used for power supply.
I have the two box SWC1000R which I like better visually.
I also use the E88CC from Valvo. For the 417, I have to check what brand they are.
 

morricab

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I have the two box SWC1000R which I like better visually.
I also use the E88CC from Valvo. For the 417, I have to check what brand they are.
But does yours have a poker chip inside ;)

I liked mine with the silver stepped attenuators...inconvenient but I would like to think a small improvement...;)
 

morricab

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Apr 25, 2014
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Silvaweld SWC 1000R with WE 417 Tubes/E 88cc Valvo or TFk
Dynamic and Resolution wonderful
View attachment 82569
Used for 2.5- 3k€ a bargain
Agreed...I had one for several years. Mine was not with remote control though...I had dual mono silver contact stepped attenuators...and in two separate boxes.
 
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DasguteOhr

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Agreed...I had one for several years. Mine was not with remote control though...I had dual mono silver contact stepped attenuators...and in two separate boxes.
One of it used in Silvaweld SWC 450 Pre for Stereo unbalanced;)
 

DasguteOhr

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I have the two box SWC1000R which I like better visually.
I also use the E88CC from Valvo. For the 417, I have to check what brand they are.
He changed Power Supply to Mullard GZ 34, Telefunken EF 86 and 300b Electro Harmonix more clean smooth sound and more detail ,a bit less noise when idling.
 
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christoph

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He changed Power Supply to Mullard GZ 34, Telefunken EF 86 and 300b Electro Harmonix more clean smooth sound and more detail ,a bit less noise when idling.
Thanks for the info.
I have a Mazda GZ34 (Mullard made) and a single survivor Elrog 300b at home to try in the Power Supply :cool:
I'm just not sure the Elrog 300b will physically fit into the enclosure :eek:
 

DasguteOhr

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Thanks for the info.
I have a Mazda GZ34 (Mullard made) and a single survivor Elrog 300b at home to try in the Power Supply :cool:
I'm just not sure the Elrog 300b will physically fit into the enclosure :eek:
Elrog fits same bulb size as 300b;)good choice
 

christoph

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rich121

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A very fine choice. I have one currently in-house, eventually to be reviewed.

What do you think of it? How did it change the sound of your system?
My room is not complete and just using my system in a temporary arrangement so hard to really tell... I believe there is a more natural sound but I should replace the tubes as they are an unknown right now, original owner wasn't sure when he last changed them.
Had him ship directly to Lamm factory shop for complete checkup/test, which Elina said it tested and sounded great.
 

tima

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My room is not complete and just using my system in a temporary arrangement so hard to really tell... I believe there is a more natural sound but I should replace the tubes as they are an unknown right now, original owner wasn't sure when he last changed them.
Had him ship directly to Lamm factory shop for complete checkup/test, which Elina said it tested and sounded great.

The tube with the most impact on sound is the 5651. I suggest sticking with the JAN-Raytheon 5651WA which Lamm supplies with the unit (tubestore.com). They use a Sovtek 12AX7 and GE 12BE3 for the 12AX3. You can find the 6C19P/6C19? on ebay but I suggest buying those from Lamm.

For any power supply tube change with the L2.1 there is a special procedure to follow for adjusting a potentiometer in the PS unit. It is straightforward to perform, just need a multi-meter. Lamm has instructions they can provide you, although there is a slight typo in those. If you get to that point, let me know and I can say more.
 
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rich121

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Hello tima,
I cut and pasted my response to your similar post on the other thread:

"I do not have the L2.1 Ref, as I posted I have the LL2.1.
The tube recommendations from the Lamm website for the LL2.1 are such:

"What substitution tube types do you recommend for the LL2.1?

12AU7A:
12AU7, 12AU7WA, ECC82, E82CC, ECC802, 5814, 5814A, 5963, 6189, 6680, 7730, CV491, CV4003, CV8155
6922:
6DJ8, ECC88, E88CC, E188CC, 7308,
the following tubes are manufactured in Russia:
6N23P / 6H23? (cyrillic),
6N23P-V / 6H23?-B (cyrillic),
6N23P-E / 6H23?-E (cyrillic),
6N23P-EV / 6H23?-EB (cyrillic)"

I have read where the 6X4 is pretty much what you are stuck with for that tube, but many use different 12AU7 and 6922 variants.
Just curious and would like to hear from long time users of this preamp as there may be some other options other than factory... or... not.

I appreciate your input and love reading your reviews."


I appreciate your posts and all the input you have given me. You are one of the leaders here that I look up to and have learned much from your work.
 
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