Tube Line Stage Preamp to Drive Class D Amp


I’m super curious about moving around the configuration of my system.

In the winter, I run a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated. In the summer/fall, I was switching in a solid state integrated--a Creek Evolution 100A. I moved recently and now have a dedicated music room. So the Creek went to the living room and, since it’s still summer--effectively--I needed a SS/cooler amp to run the third floor music room. Enter the NAD M22.

I’m enjoying the NAD M22, and far more so than a Peachtree Nova 300, which I ultimately sold because I felt the Creek Evolution 100A sounded more musical throughout the whole sound spectrum. Right now, the NAD is fed by an NAD M51 DAC. That means my Manley Chinook phono and vinyl collection sit abandoned.

I’m curious to what things would sound like if I moved to a tube line stage preamplifier to feed the NAD M22.

I love the Primaluna integrated and would hate to part with it. But I can’t stop thinking about whether a proper tube preamp might be great with the M22. I could still tube roll on the preamp.

Would this potentially be the best of both worlds? Would it be trick to match up tube preamp output specs to the NAD M22?

Finally, what is it that I like about the NAD v. the Primaluna setup? The NAD is fast and maybe slightly leaner with less glow or ethereal quality. But it has great control and sounds very accurate and there's a clarity into the music that is just as intoxicating as all tubes.

I should probably stay put.  If I do stay put that means no vinyl in the summer in this room because I have nothing to hook the Manley Chinook too.  I can survive, but analog is the drug of choice. 

Curiosity killed the cat though and, if I can confess, I researched tube line stages from Primaluna to Conrad Johnson to Luxman, to Vincent, and on and on.

And then part of me thinks to keep summer and winter systems and just add in a really nice REL subwoofer like a S/3 or S/5 to open up the whole picture.

Forgive me for I love this stuff. 

PS I don’t believe the Primaluna integrated allows me to use it just as a preamp. Too bad...I have a ton of preamp tubs that wI’d love to hear with the NAD M22.

PPS No one seems to talk about it here but the Creek Evolution 100A is Class G--25 watts in pure Class A then the switching kicks in to get you north of 100 watts. It’s a super cool idea and I doubt I’ll sell that little British gem.
128x128jbhiller
Ghosthouse, 

I ordered the Schitt to give it a run.  If it's quiet and adds back tube flavor I may keep the Class D in winter operation too.  I'm optimistic that it will sound great as folks seem to love it on forums. The engineering/design is strong.  I really like the volume control and the active/passive function.  If it ran 12au7s I'd be really happy as I have a pile of NOS in that compliment for my Primaluna.   I also like saving a bit of energy and heat. 

I will follow back up with a report after I get it and put it in action!
Like I said, hope it works out for you, JB. Quiet at the least, though wondering how "tubular" :-) it will be for you compared to your PrimaLuna. On the other hand, it might make a nice combination with the NAD (use those balanced inputs!).

"Folks seem to love it on forums." I’m guessing one you could mean is HeadFi. There’s definitely a lot of Freya love over there on the Freya Impressions & Tube Rolling Thread.

I hear you about the 12au7s. I have a shelf full of EL34s and 6CA7s with nothing to run them in right now. If I lost my mind and bought another tube amp, PrimaLuna would be at the top of my list. In fact, was looking that direction when I learned about First Watt and blew my $ on the F7 (it don’t take EL34s).

Looking forward to your report.

 The 4P1L single ended Triode preamp. is about as pure  as you can get 
and a very linear Tube . Look up Radu Tarta,  a Great vacuum. Tube amp, preamp builder and a preamp like this under $2k Totally 
transformer based much much less expensive then anything 
equal commercially built . I  recently purchased a Gato 400-S 
digital integrated amp . A fantastic match.
he is building one for me actually my second from him .
Thank you!!

George that’s a great idea!
Glad to be of help, they are excellent value for money, as the chassis don't cost the earth, it's what's inside that counts. And it has the goods, if it were in a "glitzy" chassis people would buy it at $10k.
And Mike Moffat's no slouch when it come to EE design, he made Theta what is was in it's heyday.

Cheers George