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My 1st Tube Equipment Experience

I just purchased a used Herron Audio VTSP-3A(r02) tube preamp, as a replacement for a NAD M12.  I paired the M12 with a NAD M22 v2.  My first impressions are the M12 has more detail, the VTSP is much warmer, which is what I wanted.  The VTSP sound is definitely different.  And while it lacks the M12 detail, I do like it.  

With the M12, my speakers were dead silent when music was not playing.  With the VTSP, I hear a slight hiss when I put my ear very near a speaker.  With the M12, I used XLR from the M12 to the M22; XLR from my Parasound JC3 jr; and RCA from my Liberty DAC.  With the VTSP, everything now is RCA.

Is a little hiss common when using a tube preamp and SS power amp with RCA cables?
128x128oldschool1948
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948 OP
501 posts
 
I've finally found my sweet spot with the Herron and NAD settings.  The Herron gain is set to low; the NAD M22 v2 gain is set to mid.  Now I understand why many here have recommended a tube preamp and SS poweramp.  I'm quite happy with the Herron/NAD combination.

I also re-positioned my speakers.  I have a small 11x12 listening room.  I placed the Tannoy's 36" from the back and side walls, and toed them in about 3/4 of an inch.  My two listening chars are a little more than equidistant between the speakers.  No more glare and I can listen for hours with no music fatigue.  I'm finally enjoying digital music as much as analog. 

Now I'm wondering what a better DAC would do.  I have a Mytek Liberty, which sounds pretty good with my current setup.  My planning budget is ~ $2.5K.  Suggestions anyone?
jmolsberg's avatar
jmolsberg
467 posts
 
My preference is a tubed NOS R2R dac, very analog sounding. 
I have been very pleased with my Audio Mirror Tubadour III. Sound wise it comes pretty darn close to my analog - VPI, dynavector, Herron audio vtph-2a. 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
Now I'm wondering what a better DAC would do.
:)
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948 OP
501 posts
 
The Tubadour III looks interesting, the Tubadour Signature edition even more so.  Audio Mirror's trial period makes this even more interesting. 

@jmolsberg   Thanks for the suggestion.

@atmasphere I'm also wondering how much better a Herron VTPH-2H would sound than my Parasound JC3 junior :)
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
Couldn't tell you as I've not heard them but I can tell you I prefer tubes especially in preamps. You need them to get things right at the front end of the system; no amount of the best amps and speakers can bring back missing elements in the signal if the preamp doesn't do its job.
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