2. amps-preamps
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Tube pre- or amp: does it matter?

Hi,

I'm considering introducing a tube component into my system (Cary 306/200, Placette pre, Macintosh 300, Gallo 3.1) to bring out a little more depth, staging and musicality. I'm willing to start from scratch with both the pre and amp. If I were to balance tube and ss, is there a rule of thumb about whether it's better to have a tube for pre or a tube for amp? All things being equal (which they seldom are) would one make a bigger difference in sound than the other? In my electronic ignorance, I'm wondering if there might be something about whether the tube is closer to your source or closer to your speakers. (Of course, I may end up with tube for both.)

Thanks for any help,
Bob
holderlin
r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles
872 posts
 
Maybe these comments arrive a bit late but... Like with any system when it comes to synergy of components I would tread cautiously in matching speakers and power amps, yet to my mind that may well evoke the most rewarding musical result in adding tubed components in one location of a system. A tubed Pre is maybe better added to tubed power amps for many reasons IMHO. Although I differ with some on what is THE most important single component, my choice being the source, hands down. If you don't recover the music, how can one amplify it? That said, the recent addition of Atma-Sphere OTL’s to my system was profound and astounding. Best of luck Holderlin with your search.
Happy Listening!
talk2me's avatar
talk2me
325 posts
 
I started with ss Symphonic Line RG1 with Klimo tube pre amp.Very nice.Then switched out SL for Graff GM100 OTL and more magic.Then I went to another higher level with Chapter Audio SS amp followed by their Preface pre.I truely could not beleive SS could sound so good(and beleive me I love tubes)
bblilikoi's avatar
bblilikoi
99 posts
 
Holderin,

What preamp choice did you ultimately make and how are you liking it? I've just gone and done nearly the same thing as you--bought a tube amp (Air Tight ATM-2) on impulse ahead of choosing a preamp. Now, I'm shopping for a preamp and looking at these--Air Tight ATC-3, Herron VTSP-1, Modwright SWL 9.0 SE, Supratek Chardonnay, Acoustic Masterpiece C101, and EAR 834L. I'd have the Cary SWL 98 in there too, but I already have a Cary intergrated system that gives me a warm, "romantic" sound and I'm assembling this 2nd system for, theoretically, a more linear, transparent, and balanced presentation.
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