Is there such a thing??-- Tube Preamp Question

Agree with everything @newbee stated. I couldn’t find the output gain spec of your preamp, but a reviewer wrote the gain is "quite high." This would support newbee’s comments.

This preamp requires low-noise tubes. This would at least reduce any tube hiss and provide a lower noise floor for your sources. You can use
6922, 6DJ8, or possibly 7308 (slightly higher voltage) tubes.

You need to tell us about your setup; type of amp, sources, your power situation, eg, is your TV on the same circuit as your audio.
It’s possible the noises you hear may be from the TV and other devices contaminating the AC line.

To answer your basic question, no, the problems and fussiness you're experiencing are not something you should expect from tube gear, either preamps, amps or integrateds. Well designed, built and matched tube gear is, in my experience, no more trouble than solid state gear. 

Thanks Newbee and All. 

The preamp has a handy dandy gain switch which can be accessed from inside the cover. I have played with this and swapped in a range of speakers. My OB Spatial holograms certainly do magnify the problem as they are higher efficiency. when those are in the mix I set the gain switch to its lower settings. When using my Anthony Gallo 3.1's I use the lower setting. The associated equipment as follows:

Amps: Red Dragon M1000 (mkI) Mono Blocks-- I'm not sure the input sensitivity
Cabling: All interconnects are Anti Cable entry Level. Cullen pwoer cables, 
Tubes: Currently Running Electro harmonix 6922
Speakers: Green Mountain Audio Continuum 1's, GMA Chroma HD, Gallo 3.1, Magnepan 1.7i, Magnepan MMG, Spatial Hologram M3 Turbo S
Power conditioning:  Furman Power Conditioner (PST-8)
Sources: TV, JA Michel Gyrodec, Thorens TD166, Bluesound Node 2, 
Phono Stage: Lounge Audio LCR mkIII

 

I couldn’t find the output gain spec of your preamp, but a reviewer wrote the gain is "quite high."

I think you should stop using the gain switch. Since your pre has high gain, use the low setting for both sets of speakers. Your monoblocks don’t need the increased gain to drive your speakers.

Very nice system, btw.

Wow, you have a lot of speakers! From the spec’s on the speakers and the Amp I would guess that the greatest noise issue would develope when you are using the Spatials. Very high sensitivity amp (2.9v) coupled with high speaker efficiency (95db) would probably operate best with minimal to no pre-amp gain. (Contingent on a lot of other issues of course). The other speakers should be less problematic, but never the less still need less fixed gain. All depends on your pre-amps minimum fixed gain as well as the input from your sources and how much attenuation you apply to this signal via you use of the VC on the pre-amp. At a minimum I would set the pre-amp to its minimum setting as suggested by Lowrider.

BTW, while I doubt that you would be guilty of this, do not judge your pre-amps ’quietness’ by just rotating the VC to max and putting your ear in front of the tweeter. That will always result in a worst case scenario and create unnecessary angst. Just select an input and set your VC to produce the maximum volume you would use. Then mute your source and the residual noise you hear is really all that matters. I think an ear about 3ft from the speaker would be a good distance to judge noise, although some even go so far as judging from the listening position.

BTW, tube life - if you are using low noise tubes appropriate for the pre-amp (Some pre-s are very hard on less than ’rugged’ tubes but other than that you should expect at least 3000 hours or much much more).

FWIW finding a good used tubed pre-amp for $2000 should not be at all difficult, but from what I’ve read about your’s I’m not sure how much you would improve your situation. I would look for other cures first.