Top tube preamplifier for 2021

Finding the best tube preamplifier suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.

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Best tube preamplifier reviews

1. P1 Bluetooth 5.0 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Hi-Fi Valve Headphone Amplifier Wireless Receiver Audio Decoder Preamp USB DAC APTX

Feature

P1 is a Bluetooth vacuum & valve tube preamplifier and headphone amplifier. Headphone output is 160mW @32 and is suitable for 32~300 headphones and headsets.
Classic 6J5 vacuum & valve tube can provide warm retro tube sound. It can be replaced by 6J1, 6J4, GE5654, 6AK5, 61n-EB.
It supports Bluetooth/USB/RCA inputs from various devices like iPod, Phone, MP3, TV, Blu-ray players, Echo Dot, CD players, computer etc.
Bluetooth 5.0 supports APT-X, APT-X LL lossless transmission. PC-USB supports 24bit 192KHz and is compatible with Windows/Mac/Linux system
Treble & bass control can achieve different sound style. Bypass function can suspend the tone control circuit to achieve purer music experience.

2. Fosi Audio Phono Preamp for Turntable Preamplifier MM Phonograph Preamplifier with Gain Gear Mini Stereo Audio Hi-Fi Pre-Amplifier for Record Player with DC 12V Power Supply Box X2

Feature

Tube MM Phono Preamplifier: Converts phono signals to Line Level Signals with low-noise integrated circuits and high-quality components to remove low-frequency noise ensure clear sound quality. Designed with grounding post to protect your turntable.
Three switchable gain modes: 39, 42, 45 dB. Adjustable gain levels to give you customizable control and outstanding compatibility. Entry-Level high-end analog sound and top-notch circuitry for an unbeatable low cost.
Tube Preamplifier: It's also a tube preamp with 3.5mm AUX Input. Designed and assembled by Fosi Audio from high-quality components. Great warm, smooth-sounding.
Applicable vacuum tube model: 6K4/6J1/6J4/GE5654/6AK5/66*In vacuum tubes, etc. You can replace the vacuum tubes to DIY your stereo system. Different tube with different sound.
What You Get: Box X2 phono preamp x1, Vacuum tubes x2, RCA cable x1, power adaptor x1, user manual x1, 18-Month global warranty, and 24-Hour quick customer service.

3. Presonus TubePre v2 Tube Preamplifier DI Box

Feature

12AX7 tube-based preamp with XMAX solid-state input stage
Gain control and Tube Drive saturation control
Low-noise dual-servo (no capacitors) gain stage
Separate instrument and mic inputs
Phantom power, HP filter, -20 dB pad, and polarity-reverse
Compact 1/3U rack-mount chassis

4. Pro-Ject Tube Box S Phono PreAmplifier, Silver

Feature

Audiophile-grade ECC83 (12AX7) vacuum tubes
Dual mono configuration
Audiophile-grade polypropylene WIMA capacitors
Switchable input impedance/capacitance
Three adjustable gain levels

5. Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Phono Preamplifier - Black

Feature

Suitable for MM and MC cartridges
Precise RIAA equalisation in two parts passive/active
Fully discreet circuit design without OpAmps
2x ECC83 tubes (replaceable)
Front-sided Subsonic filter button

6. Little Bear T7 Vacumn Tube Mini Phono Stage RIAA MM Turntable Preamp & HiFi Tube Pre-Amplifier (Black)

Feature

This product can be used as a MM Turntable Preamp or a HiFi Tube Pre-Amplifier and can provide high fidelity and warm sound beyond your expectation.
Please do not connect T7 to any inferior Bluetooth digital amplifiers except Class T digital amplifiers, since all Class D amplifiers have very loud background noise.
Its tube(6J1) can be directly replaced with tubes like 5654, 6AK5, EF95 .etc
Its mini size makes it more portable and be suited for a variety of scenarios and Its alluminum body makes it strong and elegant.
Upgrades of the new version: The gain switch is moved from inside to outside. Customers can adjust its gain more conveniently; The circuit is optimized and the noise is lower.

7. Nobsound 12AX7 12AU7 Vacuum Tube Preamp HiFi Preamplifier

Feature

Improved circuit; Vacuum Tube: Shuguang 12AX7 * 2 / 12AU7 * 2 / 6Z4 * 2
Excellent scaffolding design, reasonable, regular, symmetrical device layout, strictly respect the grounding line
Power Transformers 76 * 40 H250 0.35 sheets; Japan ALPS 16 A-type audio potentiometer
Full aluminum chassis with wood side panel; 4 Set of stereo L/R RCA auido input, 1 set of RCA output

8. Fosi Audio P1 Tube Pre-Amplifier Mini Hi-Fi Stereo Buffer Preamp 6K4 Valve & Vacuum Pre-amp with Treble & Bass Tone Control for Home Theater System

Feature

🍎 NOTE: This is a preamplifier, not a power amplifier or phono preamp, can't be used for turntables or passive speakers.
RCA input to the computer, CD, phone, iPod and other player and RCA output to the digital amplifiers, active multimedia audio devices for lossless audio(The RCA cables not included).
Small compact design, with optimal integrated circuit to get powerful, dynamic and sweet sound. Tubes can be replaced by 6K4,6AK5,EF95, 5654,403B tubes.
This pre-amp improves everything detail, transparency, immediacy, richness, tone associated with your music.
Built-in Switch impact protection circuit and overheat protection circuit, long life span of this unit. All aluminum alloy shell and come with a 18-month manufacturer's warranty.

9. SUCA-AUDIO Tube-T1 Preamplifier, Vacuum Tube Amplifier Buffer Mini Hi-Fi Stereo Preamp with Treble & Bass Tone Control for Home Audio Player (6K4 Tubes)

Feature

NOTICE - This is a preamplifier but NOT a power amplifier, CAN'T be used for turntables or passive speakers. The main purpose of this machine is to act as a "buffer" to sweet the sound.
SWEET TUBE SOUND - Vacuum tube preamp will give you a different acoustic enjoyment with dynamic, sweet tube sound enjoyment. Improve the details, richness, tone associated with your music.
TUBES REPLACEABLE - The 3D sound quality of a good tube implementation is simply divine! Tubes detachable design, you can replace the tube to tweaking the sound, 6j1,6j2,6J4,GE5654,6AK5 and 6*1n tubes are suitable for this preamp.
RCA INPUT & OUTPUT - Connect your computer, CD, phone, iPod and other player with RCA cables input and output to the digital amplifiers, active multimedia audio devices for lossless audio(The RCA cables not included).
SAFE DESIGN & AFTER SALE SERVICE: All aluminum alloy shell, compact and durable.Built-in Switch impact protection circuit and overheat protection circuit, long life span of this unit. Provide 12-month manufacturer's warranty, all problems please feel free to contact with us, we will make a solution to you.

10. FX AUDIO Vacuum Tube PreampMini Electronic Hi-Fi Stereo 6K4 Tube PreamplifierNot Phono Preampwith Bass & Treble Control for Home Audio Player(Black)

Feature

HIGH QUALITY MATERIALSThe chassis of the preamplifier is made of a solid aluminum alloy material, and uses accurate and stable integrated circuits and high-quality components to eliminate low-frequency noise and ensure clear sound quality; The material of its PCB board is made of FR-4 insulation board and black immersion gold Craft, which has the characteristics of stable signal, high temperature resistance, long service life, and not easy to be oxidized.
EXQUISITE APPEARANCE DESIGNFX AUDIO pre-amplifier has a mini exquisite appearance and light weight, easy to carry around, its brushed texture surface and high-quality tube combine to appear more fashionable ,elegant and Classical.
SEPARATE CONTROL OF BASS&TREBLEThe vacuum tube preamplifier can independently adjust the bass and the specific proportion components in high-frequency sound to perfectly achieve HiFi effects. At the same time it can maximize the rendering of an atmosphere like being in a music performance to satisfy your experience of different sound styles in pursuit sound quality.
RCA INPUT & OUTPUTFrom RCA output ,the preamp can also be directly connected to the audio source and active multimedia audio equipment or indirectly connected to passive audio through the power amplifier(The item includes RCA cable).
NOTEThe item just is a tube preamp, not a power amplifier or phono amplifier. Because it is a household circuit design, the home theater tube preamp can not be used in cars, turntables or passive speakers, nor can it directly work for headphones, speakers and can not be used as a phono amplifier.(Only suitable with 12V power cord).Package Include: 1 x tube preamp, 2 x 6K4 tubes,1 x power supply, 1 x RCA cable,1 x user manual, 1 x security card/1 year warranty

Conclusion

All above are our suggestions for tube preamplifier. This might not suit you, so we prefer that you read all detail information also customer reviews to choose yours. Please also help to share your experience when using tube preamplifier with us by comment in this post. Thank you!