Can you have too many tubes?

Albertporter, where did you get your system...Circuit City :-) Seriously, that must be audio heaven on earth! I heard those Dalis at the CES...I would put them in the coveted "state of the art" category...with tubes. I was mesmerized. Heard them the next year, with SS...ugh! I couldn't believe that it was the same speaker.

BTW, could you please list the number of tubes per piece of gear? Just curious....thanks!

I actually think that you can have too many tubes. My amp, preamp, and phono stage are all tubes. When I upgragded my digital set-up I looked hard at a tube CDP, but ended up going with a solid state transport and DAC. Now I am also looking into a new phono stage and will be auditionaing 3 in home (Whest .20, Hagerman Trumpet, and Decware SP-1.5). Two are tubed and one is solid state. I'm actually anxious to hear how the solid state one performs (the Whest).

I am big believer in the tube sound, but sometimes a solid state design can be a great addition to the mix. The DAC I have was designed by an engineer whose other products are tube. He just thought tubes were not a good match with his DAC design and I would have to agree based on how it sounds. As for moving up to a dedicated phono stage, that would depend on how happy you were with the TAD phono stage. I see where today there is a MC option, but it appears you have the MM only. If you intend to move up to MC, which I prefer, then you'll need to add a phono stage. If your intent is to stay with MM and you're happy with what the TAD provides, there is little sense in adding another component ot the mix.

You don't mention budget which might influence my advice to you. A phono stage can ceratinly improve and upgrade your sound, but could cost you more, possibly much more than what you have invested in your preamp. Going back to the tubes, there is such a thing as too warm a sound, which an all tube system may give you. Again this is just my opinion and you may experience something different. I would at least do some in home testing on phono stages if that is possible. That is the only way to be sure if it upgrades your system and if tube or solid state is the way to go.

I was 100% tubes, up in the 30's.
I just could not keep up with the paranoia of problem tubes.
You certainly need a tester, or access to one if you go with many tubes...Or live near Alberporter..which I actually think I do.

I am now down to an Art Audio Jota SET amp, 6 tubes, and Tom Evans pre and phono pre gear. The Evans is dead quiet and the Art Audio is liquid.

I feel in balance.
For the time being.

Albert,though I do love the sound of a well thought out tube based system(no denying the stunning timbres),and would not,myself,rule out adding more tube equipment in the future,I find it a tough road,ergonomically,during summer.Even with A/C,in my dedicated room,if I had more tubes,the A/C units would run quite a bit more than now.Costly,with today's energy prices.My NY/NJ based tube loving pals have almost completely stopped listening in summer,and that was one reason I went to my Rowland amp,as opposed to the big mono block tubies,I had previously owned.The sound is, actually, amazingly tube like(though that is,to me,a dumb generalization,as the sound is either "right" or not "right")!

I'm not trying to be dismissive of tubes,or a fine set-up,as you seem to have.I would appreciate any feedback you may be able to give me,as to how you deal with the heat issue,during the hotter time of the year.Unless sitting in a colorful "Speedo" is the only alternative,I may very well be adding more tube based equipment down the road.Even with the sudden "discovery" by JV,and HP(next issue of TAS)that "suddenly"(MBL amps,and the new "solid state" HP favorite,to be revealed soon)there are alternative choices,I find a well matched tube system to simply put,"have magic"!But I still would rather find a midway point,which I think I now have,that allows for the "sound" and not wearing my bathing suit during the Holiday Season.Man,this hobby can be frustrating.

Best regards!!

PS How's the tube crossover doing?

....that must be audio heaven on earth! I heard those Dalis at the CES...I would put them in the coveted "state of the art" category...with tubes. I was mesmerized. Heard them the next year, with SS...ugh! I couldn't believe that it was the same speaker.

BTW, could you please list the number of tubes per piece of gear? Just curious....thanks!

Aestheitx Io (main) (6) 12AX7, (2) 6922, (2) 5692 =10 tubes
Aesthetix Callisto (4) 6922, (2) 5692 = 6 tubes
Dual power supplies for each, (6) 12AX7, (2) EL34 (each) =32 tubes

Custom crossover for Dali (4) 12SX7, (2) 12J5, (2) 6HM6= 8 tubes
Outboard power supply for Dali crossover (1) 6X5 = 1 tubes

Air Tight (6) EL34, (1) 12AX7, (1) 12AU7 (X 2 mono's) = 16 tubes
VTL 750 (12) 6550, (1) 12AT7, (2) 6350 (X 2 mono's) = 30 tubes

Scott Nixon DAC (1) 6922 = 1 tube

Ampex 351 (14) =14 tubes

Only 118 tubes Fatparrot......Squawk !