2. amps-preamps
  3. 147042-122694

Tubes vs SS preamp question....

Hi All,

I have a BAT SS power amp and a BAT P5 tube phono stage (Linn LP12/Graham/Clearaudio Concerto) and Martin Logan speakers (hoping to replace/upgrade soon). My question is regarding a preamp upgrade from a Krell Showcase PrePro.
Would you recommend a tube preamp to go alongside a tube phono amp?? Or is one tube component enough in a system?? I know there will be massive differences between all the different options, looking more for a general input as to whether multiple tube components work together or is just one component enough to get that tube sound and I might be better off focusing on SS for the preamp.
I really appreciate any feedback.
Thank you.

denjer1
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
Hello denjer1,

     I need a bit more info to properly answer your question.  What is the exact name and model number of your Krell Showcase PrePro?

Tim
denjer1 OP
45 posts
 
Tim, 

Thanks for answering. The Krell is irrelevant. It's being replaced. The question is purely about whether to replace with a tube pre or a SS pre based on already having a tube phono amp. I like tubes, but can one have too much of a good thing in a system??? 
BTW, the power amp is the BAT VK-250SE. Looking for pros and cons of having tubes running into tubes. 
Thanks, 
J
big_greg
6,632 posts
 
I have tubes all the way - Rogue Audio M180 amps, Modwright LS 100 preamp, and Manley Chinook phono pre with Legacy Audio Focus 20/20 speakers.  Definitely not too much of a good thing (to me), but none of those components have a strong "tubey" sound (syrupy, colored, however you want to describe it).  

It all depends on what kind of sound you're after and how well the components match up together.

A common recommendation is to go SS amp with a tubed preamp to get the bass control of a SS amp and the tube goodness, leveraging the strengths of both.  I have another system with a class D amp and a tube preamp and it enjoy it also.

There are generalizations about what's "best", but no right or wrong, only what you find to be right for you. 

Perhaps someone who has that amp can chime in with a good preamp combination they have enjoyed, but that doesn't mean it will work for you in your listening space, with your speakers and other components. 

I like getting other people's suggestions and opinions, but they often vary wildly and at the end of the day I just try things and see what I like and build on that.
More to discover