Dilemma of Sansui/Luxman/Accuphase for tube preamp output

[hector2018]

I am venturing into the quest for the "tube" sound & have decided to go for a vintage amplifier which I will use to power a DIY Tube Pre-amp which will be in turn connected to my Project Debut DC (Ortofon 2M Red) T/T. Basically the idea is to have the entire set up as vintage to get the pure analogue sound..

A dealer for vintage equipment is offering me the following 4 options as stereo amplifier.

1. Sansui AU-819

2. Luxman L-501s

3. Luxman L-80

4. Accuphase E-205

All these models are available within a $ 400 to $ 650 range.

I have only read numerous good reviews about these brands or models but have never heard one of these amplifiers.

I look forward to your guidance & feedback with reference to my queries.

Will highly appreciate a feedback on the comparison from anybody who has listened to these particular models.

Looking forward to hear from you all...

[garbulky]

So you should know that a tube preamp and a tube amp sound very different. If you really want tube sound, you should be looking at tube amps. That's where it's at.

Also this may be a typo so you likely know this already but I'll mention it just in case.... a tube preamp drives the amp, not the other way around.

[bluemeanies]

I totally agree with gar...tube pre deserves tube amplifiers.
Check out tubes4hifi.com
There you will see one of the most prestigious DIY tube pre-amp's the SP-14 at a very reasonable price.
Also tube mono-blocks and the ST70 & the ST120 stereo tube amplifiers both remarkably priced for the DIY'er but also for someone like me who paid to have them assembled by the best in the business...audiobill.

Well worth the extra $$..it's not a deal breaker to have them assembled by someone who knows what they are doing.

[novisnick]

Apr 11, 2018 12:47:16 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

I totally agree with gar...tube pre deserves tube amplifiers.
Check out tubes4hifi.com
There you will see one of the most prestigious DIY tube pre-amp's the SP-14 at a very reasonable price.
Also tube mono-blocks and the ST70 & the ST120 stereo tube amplifiers both remarkably priced for the DIY'er but also for someone like me who paid to have them assembled by the best in the business...audiobill.

Well worth the extra $$..it's not a deal breaker to have them assembled by someone who knows what they are doing.

And theres an ST-120 built by audiobill for sale at a great price right here on this forum! 

emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/52131/fs-gear-novis?page=1

[bluemeanies]

Apr 11, 2018 13:19:17 GMT -5 novisnick said:

Apr 11, 2018 12:47:16 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

I totally agree with gar...tube pre deserves tube amplifiers.
Check out tubes4hifi.com
There you will see one of the most prestigious DIY tube pre-amp's the SP-14 at a very reasonable price.
Also tube mono-blocks and the ST70 & the ST120 stereo tube amplifiers both remarkably priced for the DIY'er but also for someone like me who paid to have them assembled by the best in the business...audiobill.

Well worth the extra $$..it's not a deal breaker to have them assembled by someone who knows what they are doing.

And theres an ST-120 built by audiobill for sale at a great price right here on this forum! 

emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/52131/fs-gear-novis?page=1

There you GO!

[garbulky]

I think that's more than he's trying to spend. He's going for $400-600 for an amp, and I assume something similar for a pre.

[leonski]

The Sansui is an integrated amp. I don't know off hand if there are pre / main jumpers.

[vcautokid]

I must have missed it, but what speakers are being driven? It could play into your amplifier choice.

[leonski]

Must audition WITH the speakers in question. Early SS was not nearly as refined as current offerings. A whole subculture exists, wrapped around earlly SS gear.
Some of the early Marantz receivers continue to have a major following. Like at the link. Others are FAR more modestly priced and have a following as well.

reverb.com/p/marantz-model-2270-stereophonic-receiver?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs5XHlLqz2gIVlrXACh1kGQCnEAQYAiABEgLCpPD_BwE&hfid=10460319

[2001passvar]

Apr 11, 2018 16:45:12 GMT -5 leonski said:

The Sansui is an integrated amp. I don't know off hand if there are pre / main jumpers.

The AU-819 has a switch on back to seperate the preamp and poweramp.

[leonski]

Many 'HYBRID' choices.
They can be either way.

Here is the MC offering.

newatlas.com/mcintosh-ma252-hybrid-tube-solid-state-integrated-amplifier/52035/

Tube PRE and SS main.

Many other choices in this space. Best of luck at 600$, affordable at that level might either not sound good or be 'buggy'...Or even need upgrade / repair.

[novisnick]

Apr 11, 2018 16:32:16 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I think that's more than he's trying to spend. He's going for $400-600 for an amp, and I assume something similar for a pre.

Seems a few friends here are afraid to state a reasonable fact, your not going to get/be happy with offerings in that price category. Slow down and save some money. To aquire a setup that will satisfy without breaking down you’ll need to spend more money! There, I said it! 🤭  But thats how I feel about tube gear. Maybe just me, but I doubt it.

if you like the sound of entry level tubes youll just end up spending even more to replace your gear and have to find somebody to buy the old gear.

just trying to save the OP time and money. No offense ment. 😁

[vcautokid]

I agree with Novisnick. Time is on your side yes it is. Hmmm, heard that before. We still don't know what speakers are in the system, or maybe I am just slow here, but solid state or tube/valve they still come into play here. Going slow and assessing your needs closely is always a great way. I have no bias...ahem either way but having a larger budget saved up gives you more options. So yeah, take your time, do the research, and audition with gear in your setup if possible. Yes I know that is not easy or always possible, but it can be done.

[hector2018]

Thanks a lot for all the valuable feedback.

My existing set up is as given below:

Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC) with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge

CD Player: Marantz CD6005

Integrated Amplifier: Marantz PM6004 Integrated Amplifier

Stereo Speakers: Mordaunt-Short Mezzo-2 Bookshelf Speakers
 
At present my system is connected as shown below:

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC) --> Phono input of Marantz PM6004 --> output of PM 6004 goes to Mordaunt Short Mezzo-2 bookshelf speakers