tube cd player with solid state amp and preamp
I disagree. Tube amps can lack bottom end and have that tube bloated sound. Tube CD player, DACs and Pre-Amps lend the benefits of tube sound without the downsides you can get with the amps interaction with the speakers. My system is all tube and the CD player made a big improvement with soundstage, musicality and fatigue. I say go for it. |
"Tube amps can lack bottom end and have that tube bloated sound." Steuspeed, I get plenty of bottom end and it's not bloated, out my tube amp. You read your post and it's somewhat contradicts itself. You're saying that tube amps have a "bloated sound", but then you turn around and say that your "system is all tube and the CD player made a big improvement with soundstage, musicality and fatigue." I assume your CDP is a tube one, but are you're saying it induces "fatigue"? I certainly hope not. Hate to say it, but your post seems to say thet tube CDPs sound good, but tube amps sound "bloated and lack a bottom end". Makes me wonder why you have a tube system? Can't tell whether you like tubes or not. |
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I'm using a tube DAC on my Solid State CD Player. Specificially to take the solid state nasties, or the edge off my CD's. If you just want to improve on your system this is an inexpensive way to hear tubes. But an all tube system may give better results. It truly depends on your ears. My preamp is tube and my power amp is tube. I love the way my system sounds with the expception of the bloated bass. It's not on every recording. Just the recordings with more bass. I'm sure it is my tube amp which is a Modified ST 70. The speakers are Spica TC 60's which are ported. My TC 50's are not ported and they don't suffer the same problems. So, yes and no to your question. You are still at the mercy of the recording too. It will take the edge off the CD player but you may be better off finding a tube DAC and running your CD Player through it to see what results you get. There are several different models around along with what is called a tube buffer which plugs between your power amp and preamp and you get some of the benefit of tubes. Musical Fidelity makes one. If you are looking for a DAC the Scott Nixon tube DACS are popular, Cal Audio Lab, and on the Solid State side I hear the Benchmark is remarkable and non fatiguing. I have my HT setup separate from my 2 channel. My 2 channel is all tube. An integrated amp in a 2 channel setup may work wonders for you I would visit a local dealer and see if you can get a loaner and take it home for a couple nights. Also, cables can be causing some of your problems. I would look for something like Kimber 4PR all copper and softer sounding than the 4TC which is more detailed. Budget wire but they both sound wonderful in most systems. |
Hippy "Tube amps CAN lack bottom end and have that tube bloated sound." I did not say they ALL do. I have VTL Tiny Triodes and I admit I have tube bloat and less bass slam and control over all my solid state amps. However, the VTL's are better at everything else. A compromise I am willing to live with for now. "My system is all tube and the CD player made a big improvement with soundstage, musicality and fatigue." Improvement in the area of fatigue would be less not more. Yes my CD player is tube. Hope that clears things up. |
