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Too many tubed components in the system?

As a newbie to the tube side of audio, is there such a thing as too many tubed components in the audio signal path?

I have an Audio Aero CDP that has a tubed output stage, have just bought a tube amp (VTL ST-150) and am considering either a tube active linestage or passive linestage.

* Will having an all-tubed component audio chain sound too tubey? Does the concept of "too much of a good thing" apply to tubed reproduced music?
* If the answer above is 'Yes' then is there a max. number of tubed components that one should have in their system and if so then what should they be? (e.g. CDP+preamp vs CDP+amp vs preamp+amp)

Thanks for your insights.
kevinzoe
mejames
986 posts
 
tubes rule. Too many no way no how.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I think if you put two 300Bs under each armpit you'd still have room for plenty more.
fbi
92 posts
 
~~~~Too Tubey or Not Too Tubey, Is That The Question?

Jest The Facts

By
kevinzoe OP
167 posts
 
Ok, a part from some silly answers above (good to know there are some senses of humour out there), it would appear that the consensus is that there is no sonic degradation of sound quality with having tubes in each link of the audio chain. Good to know. Retubing costs are another issue, as might be locating one bad tube when there are so many in the entire chain. Albert Porter --> what techniques do you use to isolate and find a "bad" tube when you've got so many in so many components?
sedona_sky_sound
12 posts
 
Personally, I am on the other side of the fence. I do believe that too many tubes is a problem. Have I heard all tube systems that sounded reasonably good? Yes. But most sounded even better once one or two components were replaced with SS.

In many cases, it depends on your listening preferences. I have friends with all tube systems that I think sound really, really bad (bloated mids, poorly controlled bass, etc.) that they just love. It also depends on the speakers. Some speakers just require much more juice than most tube amps can deliver. If you fall in that catagory, a neutral 200W+ SS amp mated with a tube pre-amp brings out the best in both.

Julian
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