I was in the same situation as you almost 2 years ago. No experience in tubes and wanted to try tubes. After researching a lot and getting opinions on this forum, I decided to go with the Bracket Labs Rhumba. I am very happy with this preamp. Highly recommended. I purchased it without auditioning. They have a trial period, but I doubt it that you will return it.
Looking to introduce some tube magic to my system
I have never owned a tube component, but looking to remedy this situation...
My system consists of a PC running Roon core > PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell Dac > PS Audio Stellar M700 Monoblock Amplifiers > GoldenEar Triton One speakers.
Right now the Gain Cell Dac is functioning as a dac and as a preamp. I was thinking of adding a PrimaLuna Evo 400 Preamplifier between the dac and monoblocks.
Do you think it's a good idea? Could the PrimaLuna add "tube magic" when it is sandwiched between two solid-state components? Will there be a noticeable difference?
Another option I thought of is replacing the monoblocs with a Line Magnetic integrated amp, maybe a LM 805 IA.
What is your thoughts? Sadly, an in home audition is not available where I live.
I mostly listen to acoustic music: Jazz, Folk, Country, Funk, Soul...
Looking to hear your thoughts
Ziggi
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@zigggi, I was in the same situation as you almost 2 years ago. No experience in tubes and wanted to try tubes. After researching a lot and getting opinions on this forum, I decided to go with the Bracket Labs Rhumba. I am very happy with this preamp. Highly recommended. I purchased it without auditioning. They have a trial period, but I doubt it that you will return it. |
I'd go to a Prima Luna integrated. It'll make a bigger difference, for less money (especially after selling the mono-blocks), and eliminate the need for a couple interconnects. Less money, better sound, what's not to love? Oh and yes the Prima Luna will easily drive your speakers. Probably even with greater bass extension, authority and definition than you have now. |
Something the OP should be aware of if he wants to consider pairing a PrimaLuna integrated amp with his GoldenEar Triton One speakers: In the following thread ... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/primaluna-prologue-integrated-help-needed ... the OP reported an unusual problem using a PrimaLuna ProLogue integrated amp with his GoldenEar Triton Two speakers. He reported that a "throb" at about two beats per second occurred when the volume was raised beyond a certain point. Like the OP’s Triton Ones that member’s Twos have internal amplification for the deep bass, and consequently an impedance that rises to very high levels at deep bass frequencies. (The impedance curves of the One and the Two are very similar, as can be seen in John Atkinson’s measurements here and here). And it turned out that the amp wasn’t happy working into a load that was essentially absent at very low frequencies. The result being what is referred to in electronics as "motorboating." I suggested that he try putting suitably chosen load resistors on the output terminals of the amp, and fortunately that solved the problem. I have no way of knowing, of course, if the same issue would arise pairing any of the other PrimaLuna integrated amplifier models with the Triton One. But it’s certainly a possibility that should be considered before proceeding down that path. Regards, -- Al |
Thank you all for chiming in gdnrbob and milpai: I live in the middle east, so Atma-Sphere and Bracket Labs are not available here. millercarbon: Reason I'm not considering a PrimaLuna integrated, is because I would likely add a PrimaLuna power amp later on, if the preamp prove to be successful in my system. almarg: I did see that warning at the PrimaLuna website and that recommendation on fixing it. I thought of PrimaLuna because in many shows the Tritons are usually demoed with a PrimaLuna. I thought of Line Magnetic because it is the amp sandy Grross is using personally with the Tritons, and probably was using when voicing them. again, thank you all for you thoughts |
I hope this doesn’t come off sounding intentionally argumentative, but here goes: I often see the notion of inserting a tubed component into a system broached in terms of "adding" tube magic. I believe Ralph Karsten (Atma-Sphere) and other great tube electronics designers would make the argument that the "magic" of tubes is what they DON’T add to the sound of a system. I use tubed electronics for the transparent, grain-free, dynamic, rhythmically-responsive, organic-timbre reproduction of the sound of voices and instruments the best of them provide, not for some tube coloration to be added to the sound of my system. Hi-fi electronics, tube and solid state, should "editorialize" as little as possible, not add a sound of their own to a recording or system. The objective is for them to have NO sound of their own. If tubes have a "magic" quality to them, it is in their ability to come closer to doing that than does solid state. |
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