For tube sound, which is more important: preamp or power amp?
Test Pilot is the only comment above, IMHO, that begins to answer the question. And to me that is: What kind of tubes are you talking about and what kind of tube amp design are we talking about? There are so many variables here. The classic tube gear of the 50s and 60s was very tubey and euphonic sounding. Not the most neutral but that even order distortion was so sweet and lush sounding. The epitome of tube sounding. Single ended tube gear in general is a lot less sweet sounding than a push pull design but there's just something so right about the sound. And PP triode, as written by the late Harvey Rosenberg in Listener magazine, using 4 pin true triode tubes (45s, 2A3's, 300B's, 10's, 211's, 845's, etc) in PP was according to him even better sounding than single ended triode. I once owned a moded organ amp that used 6BG6's in PP triode and it was one of the finest and lushest sounding tube amps I ever owned and I've had lots of different tube and SS combinations. Although I couldn't A/B the two amps, my recollection of it was that it was on par, if not superior, to my old McIntosh MC225 amp, which was described in TAS as the best sounding Mac stereo amp, althought the MC240 and MC275 got all the accolades. The MC225 was Mac's only stereo amp run in triode. With SS amps, I think mosfet amps sound tubier than bipolar transistors and the chip amps also work extremely well with a tube preamp. Although its been several years since I heard an EL34 amp, I remember that as being a very lush sounding tube as opposed to an EL84 which was more neutral sounding in the amps that I owned. So in conclusion, lots of variables here but if I had to choose between the amp and preamp as which one contributed to the overall tubey sound, I would say the power amp. |
The OP question (and more) was answered 40 years ago by Bob Carver. Short story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Carver Long story: https://www.stereophile.com/content/carver-challenge In brief, Bob Carver Challenge proved that he could emulate any "top" amplifier with his 400$ (then) model with some pots and circuits to shape the transfer function. Therefore it’s logical to employ amps as pure "wire with gain" devices and shape the sound to taste upstream. |
, that’s a Big Question . It feels like I’m trying to arm wrestle an octopus 🐙. So in regards to just your present system . I run a modest price Rogue RP-1, that was a cost driven purchase . This pre uses a pair of 12au7’s . I also have quality interconnects . What I have found rolling tubes in this amp and in regards to your system and musical preferences is this . I can change the entire presentation of the system by changing these two tubes. NOS are my go to BTW. If I run Mullards it’s soft and mild , with the entire soundstage subdued. If I run Amperex Holland , the overall is very bright and forward , losing bass ( not the fish ). If I run Seimens nickel plates the top 1/3 is forward of a fairly full sound . If I run Telefunkens , my porridge is JUST RIGHT . So my opinion is, if you go tube preamp you can play with tone and the layering of the music ( depth ). This has allowed me to fine tune my system , especially female vocals . If I listen late at night I can enjoy Diane Krall as if it’s live. I also like Natelie Merchant and Amy Winehouse . BTW , my wife put me on Simon and Garfunkel probation . If I was to get a new pre today , I’d consider Don Sachs . Advise from Wolfie and Whitestix is aligned with mine . It’s just that we have similar tastes in music . Everyone that posted has found a good Synergy with what their taste requires. Now that I’m through promoting, recently I blew up my Dennis Had Inspire Amp . While it was off for repairs, I ran a Vintage Marantz SS amp . I had a ton of hiss . Tube pre with too much gain coupled to a SS amp that requires low signal into a 98db speaker equals MUCHO HISS . It’s all about compatibility ! Back in 1975 ( I’m old too ), I ran a SS pre into Dynaco MkIII’s to Jbl’s . It was fun . As far as el34’s , they’re great ! I really like the new Gold Lion KT-77’s and the SED Winged C’s in EL34 and 6L6LGC . As far as the Schiit pre , I love their stuff , but it’s a compromise and you’d be better served going full tilt on a pre . BTW , I’m saving my penny’s for a Gumby or a Yiggy , I have an Uber Bifrost . Good luck on your endeavor, it’s only money and sanity . |
After decades of various enjoyable SS amps, the push-pull ultra linear tube amp I used in recent years (Factory modded Jolida 502P) provided tube sweetness and was, at 65 watts per side, plenty loud. Great amp. After watching a Youtube interview with Dennis Had, I got it in my head that I wanted to try one of his amps so when a 12 watt per side recent version "Inspire Fire Bottle" showed up on Ebay at a reasonable price, I bought it. It shouldn't work well with my alleged 91db speakers (albeit helped by 2 REL subs), and hey…it shouldn't sound much better than other well sorted stuff I've owned. However, it absolutely has more resolution and tonal accuracy than any amp I've owned by a wide margin…is it the simple design? Better transformers? Tube rectification? Class A single endedness? It simply makes me want to sit there and listen to stuff endlessly…things I thought sounded so-so (A recent Nora Jones CD seemed dark and badly mixed on my old amp…but sounds great with this amp…go figure) now sound killer…a cool surprise that really lives up to Had's Ebay hype in the often hilarious little rants that he posts when he sells something. |
