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Tube Phono with Tube Integrated Amp?

what are the drawbacks (if any) of this setup?  

i recently acquired a VPI Prime (amazing) with a Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII.   using a ProJect Tube Box S (which was a phenomenal upgrade for my previous ProJect Carbon table).  right now, running this through a vintage Kenwood KA-9100, powering Elac UniFi's bookshelf speakers. 

i'm looking to build a 2 channel system that i can grow with, so please disregard the amp/speakers for now.  I've read great things about the Manley Chinook and the Allnic H1201.   in the event that i upgrade to a tube integrated amp in the future, is there any downside?
i've read on this forum that a tube phono is better paired with a solid state amp.  



mjb87062017
tbanis
12 posts
 
Tubes of solid state, thats the question....
first: tubes are voltage amps, second: solidstate are current amplifiers.
Both are good, but the ouput transformers in tube amplfier do have there own characteristics. With other words, there is an influence on the sound; not bad, but it still is.
(think of the hysteresis of the electro magnetic field...)

Due to a lack of these transformers in solid state this "problem" does not occur.

Normaly a solid state amp will perform better then with tubes, but if you like the tube characteristics: just do it and have fun, that's where it is all about.

regards
Ton
The Netherlands


jsm71
141 posts
 
Tubes of solid state, thats the question....
first: tubes are voltage amps, second: solidstate are current amplifiers.
Both are good, but the ouput transformers in tube amplfier do have there own characteristics. With other words, there is an influence on the sound; not bad, but it still is.
(think of the hysteresis of the electro magnetic field...)

I never realized my tube amps were "influenced" so much by traditional iron core transformers.  I've gone to fully tube based Linear Tube Audio preamp and amp, based on David Berning's designs.  This allows tube magic to drive the sound without traditional transformers. 

I also use a tube phono stage custom made by Don Sachs.  My all tube electronics provide zero background noise and emit no tube rush or other negative artifacts from tube operation. 

My all tube system now is as quiet as my prior all SS setups.  The tubes however allow for the most realistic presentation with amazing imaging.  My SS setups were always Hi-fi sounding but not that realistic. 

1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
RSHAK: 

"I've been quite happy with my (tube) Eastern Electric phono preamp mated to my PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium integrated. Been using this combo for the past three-plus years and have no regrets."

i learned about the EE phonostage 7-8 years ago, and have kept it in mind ever since. I also have the PL Dialogue HP Premium integrated with stock tubes. 

What speakers are you running with this set up?
Are you using the stock EL-34 and 12AU7s PL tubes?

rshak
419 posts
 
Hello, graber -  In the EE phono preamp I use  NOS Mullard 12ax7's I bought from Upscale Audio a few years ago.  In the PrimaLuna integrated, I'm running Gold Lion KT88's and NOS Mullard 12au7's.  All purchased from Upscale Audio.

One of the Mullard 12au7's in the integrated got noisy a few months back, and I swapped in one of the stock tubes that came with the amp. The overall sound is still wonderful.l
rshak
419 posts
 
Oh - - forgot to mention my speakers:  Omega Hemptone's - - I preordered the speakers months before the official release and the Omega guy (Louis, I think) told me that mine were the first production pair to be sold.  I got the Makassar (sp?) Ebony finish.  They took about 200 hours to open up, but ever since have sounded superb.
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