Your B&K amp is balanced with a differential input stage so it would mate very well with the fully-differentially balanced K-1xe. Put tubes in your digital front end and Yahtzee!
What SS preamp compares to a tube preamp
I'm not sure I want to make this change, but only exploring options. I would like to keep this purchase under $3000 new or used and I think that's about the price point to make it worthwhile.....not sure though.
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I started with a few AVR's, then went to a B&K ref 50 which is very nice, finally to a VTL 2.5. I'm currently using the VTL but with the price of some tubes I'm considering going back to solid state. I have a few tubes that sound really nice, Mullard 4003, 4024, 1950's Siemens, Valvo, Brimar, etc....I have found good sound but there's always a compromise. Once I hit the right mid range, I lose some top end, sometimes vice-versa. Also the gain on the 2.5 is excessive, fair amount of hiss and I know tube rush is a side effect but this is just excessive gain... 20 db. I have tried attenuators but they take a little top end from the sound.
I'm not giving up on tubes, but just would like to hear what others have tried that have been in this situation. I don't need HDMI but would be nice, mainly would like a remote. I don't think an AVR can do what I want but maybe a dedicated preamp.
I thought about an Anthem but they have mixed reviews.....not really sure where to look.
All input and criticism appreciated.
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I started with a few AVR's, then went to a B&K ref 50 which is very nice, finally to a VTL 2.5. I'm currently using the VTL but with the price of some tubes I'm considering going back to solid state. I have a few tubes that sound really nice, Mullard 4003, 4024, 1950's Siemens, Valvo, Brimar, etc....I have found good sound but there's always a compromise. Once I hit the right mid range, I lose some top end, sometimes vice-versa. Also the gain on the 2.5 is excessive, fair amount of hiss and I know tube rush is a side effect but this is just excessive gain... 20 db. I have tried attenuators but they take a little top end from the sound.
I'm not giving up on tubes, but just would like to hear what others have tried that have been in this situation. I don't need HDMI but would be nice, mainly would like a remote. I don't think an AVR can do what I want but maybe a dedicated preamp.
I thought about an Anthem but they have mixed reviews.....not really sure where to look.
All input and criticism appreciated.
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- 49 posts total
I am a tube devotee. The only SS preamp that I have heard that even comes close to the "fuzz on the peach" resolution of tubes offer come from Klyne Audio Arts. You can find one for under $3K on the used market, if you are patient. BTW, your VTL 2.5 has 20 dB of gain, there are many tube preamps on the market with less gain, including the new VTL 2.5i, which has user selectable 8/14 dB gain. |
I fooled myself on two occasions believing that I could go back from tube to solid state,only to be disappointed with what I was not hearing.You have a nice array of tubes,the problem in my opinion is your 2.5,you may want to consider a more evolved design.Modwright,Cay and Audio Horizons are several considerations. |
Linear tube Audio's Micro ZOTL2 MZ2-S, using David Berning designs. This preamp might be the biggest bang for the buck and best kept secret in audio. Definitely the best preamp I've ever owned. http://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/mz2-s |
- 49 posts total