hagtech, In explaining that SUTs can be a source of noise, you wrote, "If they use too thin of wire the resistance gets too high and becomes
the main source of input noise." What??? Where does that idea come from? To begin with, the primary of a SUT is seeing the miniscule output voltage of typically a LOMC cartridge, like 0.5mV of AC, or less.
Phono Preamp Tube Rush
Is there such a thing as a tube phono stage that doesn't have tube rush? Is it just an inherent weakness of that type of pre or is it some combination of cartridge gain and preamp gain? I went from a silent solid state ASR Basis Exclusive to a Herron VTPH-2A (new home with space limitations) and now I'm using a Hagerman Trumpet with my Decca London Super Gold. Both the Herron and Hagerman have tube rush. The Hagerman beats the Herron in my setup and it really sounds incredible but in quiet passages and between songs, there's that hiss at high-medium and high volume. It's just there. No combination of new tubes, new cables, etc changes this fact. Same with the Herron. Anyone having a different experience with a tube phono preamp?
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I use a Herron VTPH-2 (not 2A) in conjunction with an AT-ART9 LOMC cartridge rated at 0.5 mv, with the Herron's stock tubes and no loading plugs. If I turn the volume control in my system to a setting slightly higher than I would ever use (which is quite loud; some classical symphonic recordings I listen to can produce 105 db peaks at my 12 foot listening distance) the hiss produced by the phono stage is only audible within about 1 foot of the speakers. In saying that, though, I should point out that I believe the Decca London Super Gold cartridge mentioned by the OP is a high output cartridge, and while the moving magnet input stage of the Herron is indeed tube-based its LOMC input stage is FET-based (i.e., solid state). @lewm I believe what hagtech is referring to is Johnson noise, that would be produced to some (not necessarily audible) degree by any resistance. Regards, -- Al |
Those are 2 popular units.,one of which i've tried.-Herron. No noticeable tube rush at "reasonable" volume, from the listening position. If you're expecting SS, absolute quiet during blast sessions,in between cuts-good luck on that. Even the finest at unreasonable volume, have some leve of hiss. Real amplified music is noisy. A Fender or Marshall at idle won't win awards for quiet. |
@dhcod- You mentioned having tried new tubes. Were they graded for low noise? You probably already know, but, just in case- some tube vendors grade their tubes. Some don’t. ie(check what’s said, regarding, "Platinum Grade" and, "Kevin’s Stash"): https://www.upscaleaudio.com/pages/grading-matching |
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