REVIEW: Aric Audio Tube Stereo Preamplifier Model 2.5

Many music enthusiasts are not satisfied with the quality of sound from modern solid-state preamps and amplifiers.

Getting “Real” Sound

If you are a music enthusiast like I am, you probably have spent many hours and much money experimenting with various stereo components, trying to find that magical combination that conveys the true sound and emotion of recorded audio.  In your frustrating and expensive search, you probably have become disillusioned with the sound of modern solid-state preamps and amplifiers – they can sound grainy and harsh; Highs can be shrill and middle frequencies muddy.  Not to mention the problem of an overall confused and unstable soundstage presented by a lot of modern gear.

Is there a solution?  Yes – it’s called the vacuum tube!  Sadly, however, most tube gear is expensive!  It’s easy to spend $2,000 or more each on a tube preamp and amplifier (don’t forget quality speakers and interconnects – plan on at least a couple thousand bucks there, too.) If all that is in your budget, then you know what you need to do.  However, some of us would rather not spend an arm and a leg on stereo gear – we have other commitments, too!  But we all want sound that is real (or as real as possible) – that makes your spine tingle and your body shiver in complex, emotional passages.

For those who would like to experiment with tube sound, but don’t want to spend a fortune, there is at least one possible solution.

Aric Audio (www.aricaudio.com), a very small Massachusetts based company, is offering a line of simple, inexpensive, hand-built (by Aric himself), tube preamps that are worth a listen.  Based on the famous, quiet, and excellent sounding 12AU7 tube, Aric Audio offers an opportunity to keep some or all of your solid-state gear, but gain the advantages of tube audio sound. His web site indicates that he uses metal-oxide resistors, polypropylene bypass caps, gold-plated connectors, and other high quality components and construction techniques. 

Aric Audio currently offers three models.  The 1.5 is a single 12AU7 (dual triode) preamp, the 2.5 is a dual 12AU7 preamp, and the 3.5 is just like the 2.5, but offers multiple inputs and a selector switch. All the preamps offer a front mounted power switch, indicator LED, and volume control.  Aric preamps don’t have bass and treble controls. There is no remote control either – that helps keep costs down and the overall product as simple as possible. The price range is amazing - $125 to a little over $200 as I write this!

The simple and attractive chassis of Aric preamps is wood! Aric Audio claims, reasonably, that a wood chassis reduces vibrations – important with tube gear.  It also makes for an attractive, simple package with its gloss lacquer finish and protective rails for the tube(s).  If you are looking for heavy, machined aluminum, steel, titanium or other esoteric stuff, with frilly curves and shiny do-dads, look somewhere else.  Aric preamps seem to be about “real” sound - not the silly (expensive) materials and artwork boxes that so dominate high-end audio today.

Applications

You can certainly connect your CD player, iPod or other source device directly to an Aric preamp and have it drive your existing amplifier.  Doing so gives you many of the advantages of tube audio – a smoother, more realistic sound with just enough tube harmonics and other characteristics to make the sound “natural.”  In my experience, you will enjoy a better defined soundstage with more depth and stability, too.  Vocals will sound like they are coming from human beings and guitars really sound like guitars (what a novel idea!)Don’t worry about frequency response – the 12AU7 (and Aric preamps) typically have a response of 5Hz-50kHz, +/- 3db. 

You can also use an Aric preamp in the tape-loop (processor loop) of your existing solid-state preamp, receiver, or integrated amplifier.  Doing so gives you tube sound advantages, but also allows you switch the Aric preamp in and out to quickly make sound comparisons.  You also retain the remote control capabilities (volume control, bass, treble, and other features) of your solid-state gear.

Experiment – Tube Rolling

It is well known that different brands and production models of tubes have different “sound.”  The Aric Audio 2.5 I purchased arrived with excellent sounding 12AU7s from J&J (Slovakia.)For fun, I purchased some old RCA and Sylvania 12AU7s and gave them a try.  To my ears, the Sylvania tubes I tried are a little less musical – a little harsh at times.  However, the RCA tubes are very open, have well rounded sound and really noticeably improve vocals.  Your mileage may vary, but for a few dollars and some listening time, you may find a set of tubes with a sound exactly to your liking.  The Aric preamps are quite versatile when it comes to supporting various tubes. According to included instructions, 12AT7, 12AX7, 12AU7, 12AY7, and 12AZ7 tubes will all work in an Aric preamp – allowing you to experience the differences that each brings to your overall system. I’m planning to experiment with some 12AX7’s next. There are some very expensive tubes available in the marketplace.  I suggest you try some inexpensive tubes first.  Seek tubes the dealer guarantees and quality-matches for you.

Summary

My years of experimenting and listening experience has convinced me that having an all solid-state system typically leaves music sounding unnatural – certainly less than desirable.  Adding a tube component is the easiest way to add realism, beauty, and stability to your listening environment.  Given its low price, versatility, quality, and performance, Aric Audio preamps are worth your attention.  You probably have more than enough change in your change-jar to afford one! I suggest you try an Aric preamp before he becomes famous and expensive!

Additional Printed Specifications

20db per channel gain

Outboard 20VDC power supply (brick)

100 k-ohm input and output impedance

1 year warranty, excluding tubes

 

My listening combinations:

Martin-Logan ReQuest Speakers

Acurus A250 Solid-State Amplifier

Aric Audio 2.5 preamp connected directly to the Acurus Amp

Carver CT-6 Preamp with the Aric 2.5 preamp in the tape-loop

Acurus RL-11 Line Preamp with Aric 2.5 preamp in the tape-loop

Assorted CD/DVD players and an Apple TV box

 

The Author

Brent Williams

www.speakwisdom.com

December 2007