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Tube phono stage, or solid state,pre amp

Hello Friends1. Well Tempered Reference, TT, with Zu cartridge,
2,I have a "PS Audio GPH, phono stage" solid state, although I would like a few more options re cartridge loading??3  My Pre Amp is "PS Audio Pre/Dac pre amp!!",solid state!!
4. "Audio Labs" solid state mono blocks, with sounds smooth and power full !!5. Pair of Zu Souls MK!!, speakers!!I'm close to nirvana, but am missing something!!, can someone help??The sound is on most records, just, seems on the bright side, which is great, for cymbals, and dynamics, with nice bottom end??, but there is trend, for male vocals, and lead guitar, that up sets the balance??, towards the bright!!
I need someones advice??1. shalll I go for, a different, Tube Phono Stage??, mine has nice bass!!2. Should I replace the pre/dac, pre amp??, for a tube unit, Mine it is solid state??Friends, what is your thoughts??Many ThanksDavidAustralia

128x128daveyonthecoast
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
See JA's test report on the Zu's in Stereophile. They were on the cover a few years back.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,794 posts
 
A bright high end is typical of solid state. This is due to distortion, not frequency response, despite the fact that the distortion present is very slight (the problem is that the ears are very keen to this type of distortion, as it is higher ordered harmonics which the ear uses to sense sound pressure). If I were you I would consider an all-tube preamp with the phono section built-in. Less boxes, and less likely to be bright as you get rid of two brightness-due-to-distortion sources.
tooblue
1,927 posts
 
@yogiboy , +1
belvedere2
41 posts
 
Tube pre with SS amps all the way.
jond's avatar
jond
5,798 posts
 
Your speakers are very high efficiency 99db and a very easy load and you're driving them with a fairly powerful SS amp. Perhaps try a tube amp or even low powered SS before messing with your phono setup.
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