Tube Vs. SS Preamps


Oddly in +25 yrs in the hobby, I’ve never really owned a tube preamp. Can you comment on what the differences are in general sonic terms? I want a really fatigue free sound with lots of body (I run class A and class AB solid state amps).

Do you find SS preamps to be fatiguing typically, more so on average than tube ones? Or is it simply the added bloom that's appealing with tube preamps?

greg7

I know what you mean. IMO it has to do with the distortion signature- neither a tube or solid state preamp will be making any significant distortion but its a simple fact that distortion is inescapable.

Its been shown that the lower ordered harmonics serve two functions both of which are helpful. The first is that if they are there at sufficient amplitude, they can mask higher ordered harmonics that otherwise are perceived as brightness.

The 2nd and more important function is that somehow the 2nd and 3rd harmonic are helpful to the ear in some way in helping it to perceive soundstage width and depth. You might be easily convinced that this is some sort of effect rather than being neutral, but if you listen to a direct microphone feed and compare that to the actual musical performance you find that the sound stage is simply being presented in a more natural fashion.

I think more research could be done in this area, but I’m not holding my breath for it to happen. But it is a documented phenomena.

makes sense ralph, thank you

wishing you (and all others here) a happy holidays!

I think that the classic era tube preamps definitely coloured the music albeit in a way many liked, but most modern tube preamps tend to be uncoloured in that way.  In the CJ line up, the clouration was obvious in the old PV9  but is absent in the Premier 14 I now use.

I’ve changed amplifiers, solid state as well as tube over the years and what has lasted in my system is the Cary Audio SLP-05 with the Ultimate Upgrade and Cardis Wiring. Hands down, the best I’ve owned and believe me I’ve owned some serious hi end SS & Tube Preamps. Check the reviews. Oh and if you want one of the baddest headphone amplifier from a preamp, look no further. Incredible with my Audeze LCD-4’s. 
 

https://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/906cary/index.html

 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/is-the-cary-slp-05-still-relavant

 

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/cary-audio-slp-05-linestage-preamplifier-cad-211-fe-monoblock-amplifiers-tas-205-1

 

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/177419/tube-preamp-review-mcintosh-c500t-vs-cary-slp-05

 

https://www.hometheatershack.com/threads/cary-audio-slp-05-preamplifier-review.20652/

I like using my Chinese made tube preamp...its well built and sounds great.I have used both  SS preamps and tube ....phono preamps to...I like trying different pieces of equipment. 

Get yourself a BAT or Conrad Johnson tube pre. The difference is noticeable and pleasing. I’ll never go back to SS exclusively. I can’t believe you never sampled tubes in 25 years. But you don’t know what you’ve been missing.